Sustainable tourism
Thomas Cook
In September 2010 Thomas Cook Airlines became the first UK airline to achieve ISO 14001 certification which is the result of a successful evaluation of their Environmental Management System which was conducted by leading assessment, verification and certification body, NQA. They also provide information on the impact of each flight through eco-labels positioned at the boarding door for each of their aircraft and they provide clear and accurate information on the environmental impact of the aircraft journey including CO2 emissions and other pollution factors. Thomas Cook UK Airlines launched a national on board recycling scheme in January 2009 and were the first UK based charter airline to offer this type of service to short haul passengers flying into all UK airports. The cabin crew will collect any plastics, aluminium, paper and card in a separate rubbish bag which is then sent for recycling on landing. And on the ground All Thomas Cook offices have recycling stations and some offices, such as Brighton and Manchester, have even banned all desk bins to encourage even more recycling. We also ensure all brochures from our retail stores are recycled.
Thomas Cook also has 8 partners they work closely with to achieve these things. They work alongside The Carbon Trust to help the UK move towards a lower carbon economy and helps Thomas Cook to help turn opportunities for energy saving into real world reductions in energy consumption, carbon emissions and operating costs. The Born Free Foundation which is international wildlife charity that helps animals in need globally and have introduced animal rescues, anti-poaching strategies, support for animal sanctuaries, encouraging higher standards, endangered species conservation, education and public awareness. Thomas Cook has been working with them to raise staff and customer awareness on these issues. Another example of a partner is The Travel Foundation which is also an UK based charity and they to protect and enhance the natural environment and improve the well-being of destination communities. Thomas Cook helps with fundraising for the charity because the charity directly benefits the projects around the world.
They make a positive difference to the people who live at visiting destinations and the environment there by respecting local cultures and the natural environment, Buying local, giving fair economic returns to local families, Recognising that water and energy are precious resources that they need to use carefully, Helping to protect endangered wildlife, Protecting and enhancing favourite destinations for the future enjoyment of visitors and the people who live there and taking responsibility for their actions while enjoying themselves. Thomas Cook have dedicated a page to what holiday makers can do to be sustainable when they are on their Thomas Cook holiday like respecting local traditions and people by dressing and behaving appropriately because despite it being their holiday they are other people’s homes. Another is looking after the natural environment by leaving it how you found it and disposing of litter carefully and they have given an example of dropping a cigarette butt in dry hot country can cause serious fire hazards. Also they have listed things that you might not have considered not doing to be sustainable when you visit somewhere like not taking natural souvenirs away like shells and pebbles which people do without thinking or avoiding animal displays and having pictures taken with animals such as birds, snakes and monkeys because often they are mistreated, young and taken from the wild and are unfamiliar with human interaction, which could even lead to them being killed if they hurt or try to hurt somebody because of these things.
Thomas Cook also work with Travelife, an organisation that has been set up to address issues of 'sustainability' with suppliers of hotels, excursions and transportation. Travelife checks these