TUI has been a permanent member of the Environment and Culture Committee of the German Travel Association (Deutscher Reiseverband DRV) since 1990. It supports the DRV's commitment to the environmental and socially compatible development of the tourism business.
DRV's activities include the development and support of environmentally compatible concepts for travel agencies and tour operators. Through its involvement in various committees (Tourist Office Associations, ministries, European Union) the Environment and Culture Committee plays a role in the elaboration and implementation of tourism-related environmental legislation.
The committee also amis to play a direct part in the sustainable development of tourism in the destination countries on the basis of regular exchanges of ideas and experience with business partners, regional and supra-regional decision makers, and environmental and tourism ministries in the holiday countries.
To promote the importance of environmental protection principles for tourism activities, DRV has annually awarded its "Ecotrophea” prize since 1987 for model environmental protection projects closely involved with tourism. The prize winners are given the opportunity of presenting the results of their commitment to the public at the annual DRV conference and to use this positive publicity to support their ongoing work.
The prize winners to date have included the TUI affiliated hotel company Grecotel and our cooperation partner Grup Balear d'Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturaleza GOB and M.E.E.R. e.V.