We are developing new ideas so that we can sustainably develop our holiday destinations. Social commitment and the protection of nature in our holiday regions form an important basis for tourism – today and for future generations.
Some examples of our commitment:
Biofuel in aviation
Together with the SAFUG (Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group) and within the framework of the Clean Sky research project the TUI airlines are investigating the use of sustainable biofuel in aviation.
A working group comprising experts from all the TUI Group airlines has set up a 5-point plan to look into the strategic options for using biofuels. Furthermore together with environmental researchers and engineering manufacturers we are working on a model for displaying flight emissions. In connection with this the collected flight data will be analysed in detail and jointly discussed.
On 6th October 2011 Thomson Airways, the TUI Travel subsidiary, operated the Birmingham - Arrecife (Lanzarote) route with an aircraft powered by sustainable biofuel. This fuel is obtained, for instance, from used chip fat, but certain other vegetable oils can also be used, such as that from the spurge family of plants and camelina. Daily flights using the biofuel will follow starting early next year.
Protection of species on holiday
By arranging various activities connected with holiday trips the aim is to get holidaymakers young and old interested in the protection of species and to inform them about illegal trading with souvenirs. Topics were prepared in a varied way for the large scale educational campaign carried out in cooperation with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. For instance the “Mini TUI species protector“ – a souvenir manual in pocketbook format, protection of species commercials on board TUIfly aircraft as well as environmental days, a painting competition and the Kinatschu nature protection magazine in the Kids Clubs of TUI hotels.
The "Protection of species on holiday" project also convinced the jury of the “Germany – Country of ideas“ organisation. In 2011 TUI AG was one of 365 prize-winners to gain an award which the organisation bestows every year.
Whale watching on the Canaries
As early as the mid 1990s studies revealed that the many boat excursions were having a negative affect on whales. As a consequence TUI removed such excursions from its offering and for many years was not prepared to offer such outings. However, the increasing interest of holidaymakers in this wonder of nature indicated that new concepts for eco-friendly whale watching were urgently needed.
As a result together with the nature protection organisations Sociedad Española de Cetáceos (Tenerife) and M.E.E.R. e.V. (La Gomera and Tenerife) TUI designed whale watching excursions in which sustainability and species protection principles were adhered to and the holidaymakers were made aware of the overall subject by trained guides and appropriate information material. The most important rule: the whales should at all times be able to decide themselves what to do in every situation.
Excursions for the protection of mangroves
Together with the Global Nature Fund (GNF) a sustainable nature and culture excursion was arranged in 2009 into the mangroves of Sri Lanka. The excursion takes a group of visitors to the Madampa Lake in the Ambalangoda region, a region hit by the tsunami a few years ago. Here the group gets an insight into how the local fishermen work and at the same time they can explore the indigenous bird life. The training centre there provides a detailed overview of the biodiversity in and around the lake. Subsequently our guests are made familiar with the local handicrafts and the cultivation of cinnamon.
Explained during the excursion is the importance of the mangrove swamps, which act as a natural protective belt against coastal erosion, flooding, tidal waves and storms. Recent studies also show that one hectare of mangrove swamp absorbs about 3.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year and consequently contributes to the removal of this gas from the atmosphere.