Certification

May 8, 2019June 6, 2019

Small Ways Tour Operators Can Create Big Changes for the Environment

Blog, Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

By Sharon Conceição Addressing climate change in the adventure travel industry isn’t an easy task. At times, it can even be quite overwhelming, especially for tour operators running small businesses. ... Read more

July 10, 2018July 10, 2018

TUI leads the way in reporting progress on sustainability

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism, Social Economy

The TUI Group operates in 180 destinations, employs 67,000 people in more than 100 countries and provides holiday services to around 20m people. In size, they are world leaders. With ... Read more

October 17, 2017October 20, 2017

On the Responsible Tourism Agenda at WTM London

Carbon & Water, Certification, Disability, Human Rights

World Responsible Tourism Day is on Wednesday this year and our main focus is on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Tanya Beckett will be interviewing tourism leaders from UNWTO, TUI ... Read more

June 13, 2017September 18, 2017

Hotels, the SDGs and transparent reporting

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism, Video

At the heart of Responsible Tourism are commitments to transparency and accountability. Responsible Tourism is about what people do, individually and collectively in businesses, to move towards sustainability. It is ... Read more

May 31, 2017September 18, 2017

Certification: what comes next?

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

The purpose of consumer facing certification is presumably to assure the guest or client that the hotel they are planning to stay in, or the operator they plan to travel ... Read more

September 13, 2016September 18, 2017

It is a privilege to judge the Responsible Tourism Awards

Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

Since 2004 when responsibletravel.com launch Responsible Tourism Awards I have been privileged to chair the judges for the Awards presented at WTM in London on World Responsible Tourism Day each ... Read more

January 26, 2016September 18, 2017

Time to drop the Tiger Temple from the bucket list

Certification, Responsible Tourism

Thailand’s Tiger Temple is in the news again. A tourist filmed a keeper at the temple punching a tiger in the face. As is the way with these things, the ... Read more

January 27, 2015September 18, 2017

Is a good Tripadvisor profile now more important than a good hotel website?

Certification, Responsible Tourism, RT Marketing, Technology

I have just stayed at a wonderful homestay on the Malaysian island of Langkawi. My traditional wooden rice cottage had been saved from demolition, transported here and rebuilt. The food ... Read more

January 21, 2015September 18, 2017

Climate Change, Resource Efficiency and the Tourism Sector

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

The situation in global oil markets appears to deny the relevance of the arguments about peak oil. It is not so simple. There were always two arguments about peak oil ... Read more

January 21, 2015June 15, 2020

Climate Change, Resource Efficiency and the Tourism Sector

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

What impact will falling oil prices have on the tourism industry and its efforts to be more carbon efficient? Harold Goodwin explores the science and its ramifications

December 10, 2014September 18, 2017

Why I think the DearTripadvisor Campaign is wrong

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

A campaign has been launched calling on tripadvisor to make sustainability ratings more visible and to give its users the same control over them as for other categories.

September 2, 2014September 18, 2017

Airbnb claims homesharing more sustainable than going to a green hotel

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Homesharing website airbnb is publicising findings claiming homesharing is more sustainable than saying in green hotels. So why hasn’t it released the report?

August 20, 2014September 18, 2017

Was TBEX right to cancel its dolphin ride tours? I’m not sure.

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Travel blogger conference TBEX has removed a dolphin tour from its programme. Despite objecting to the very existence of such tours, I am not sure how pleased I am.

August 5, 2014September 18, 2017

What should smart travel companies do about elephant rides, dolphinariums and orphanage visits?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Issues around tourism and dolphins, elephants and orphanages have been in press recently. How should smart travel companies respond?

July 22, 2014September 18, 2017

Where are the best places to discuss responsible tourism online?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and various websites provide many ways to discuss sustainable and responsible tourism online. Do you agree with our favourites?

July 1, 2014September 18, 2017

Would TUI merger push industry towards greater transparency and sustainability?

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Will TUI’s ongoing commitment to develop the sustainability of its portfolio, matched with its financial success, encourage more in industry to follow suit?

June 26, 2014June 2, 2020

Innovator Spotlight: Surtrek and sustainable luxury travel in South America

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Surtrek runs luxury travel experiences across South America. jeremy Smith spoke to its founder Alfonso Tandazo about his inspirations, challenges and ideas.

June 11, 2014September 18, 2017

Could there be ‘responsible’ dolphin shows or are some things beyond certification?

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

STA travel has stopped offering dolphin shows on its holidays. What does it say about our relationship with such intelligent animals that they exist at all?

April 30, 2014September 18, 2017

Is Tripzero’s offer of free carbon offsets for flights+hotels a good thing?

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Tripzero says it will offset the carbon emissions caused by your transport and accommodation – for free – through a deal with Expedia. Is this a gamechanger?

March 19, 2014September 18, 2017

TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Programme: game changer for tourism certification?

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

Should travel companies join Tripadvisor’s GreenLeader certification scheme? Harold Goodwin explains why he thinks it could be a game changer.. for good.

March 3, 2014September 18, 2017

Does responsible tourism work? Six new pieces of proof that it does

Blog, Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

Does responsible tourism work? Six new studies show how its economic impacts far exceed those offered by less sustainable alternatives.

February 11, 2014September 18, 2017

What issues are responsible tourism issues?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

What defines responsible tourism? How does it differ from sustainable tourism, and what is WTM, and other industry players, role in bringing it about?

January 24, 2014September 18, 2017

Spotlight: Elding Whale Watching Iceland

Blog, Certification, Disability, Responsible Tourism

Icelandic travel company Elding offers responsible whale watching and is admirably open about its position on many issues – from whale meat to gay rights

December 18, 2013September 18, 2017

How can all inclusive holidays be responsible and successful?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

The growth of all inclusive holidays can be a good thing for destinations if it brings lasting benefits to local salaries, goods and services.

September 27, 2013June 2, 2020

Tourism and water conservation solutions

Blog, Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

The finalists in the Tourism and Water Conservation award for the 2013 World Responsible Tourism Awards use innovations best suited to their location

July 15, 2013September 18, 2017

What is certification’s role in ensuring Responsible Tourism?

Carbon & Water, Certification, Responsible Tourism

What are the key issues in certification and responsible tourism? How is this part of the industry developing, who are the movers and shakers, and what are the pitfalls businesses ... Read more

May 28, 2013September 18, 2017

Tripadvisor’s Greenleader certification: Leadership… or Greenwash?

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

What is the significance of Tripadvisor’s new Greenleaders scheme? Will it help move the industry towards responsibility or is it just another ecolabel to add confusion to an already overcrowded ... Read more

May 7, 2013September 18, 2017

Responsible Tourism at WTM Latin America

Blog, Certification, Responsible Tourism

WTM Latin America had its launch show in Sao Paulo in 2013. Responsible tourism was a key part of the agenda.

April 15, 2013September 18, 2017

Responsible Tourism issues are more than just environmental

Carbon & Water, Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

World Responsible Tourism Day 2013 focus on more than just environmental issues – covering everything from child protection to certification