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An invitation to travel companies

FOC recognises that responsible tourism can bring benefits to wildlife conservation and the local communities who share the natural habitat. On the other hand ill-considered actions can be highly detrimental.

Our Patron HRH The Prince of Wales said

"I believe all those with a long-term stake in their investments and the future of tourism, must each play a part in a bold drive to guarantee a more sustainable future for the way in which we spend our ever increasing leisure time. Customers, employees, governments and local communities will surely reward those who safeguard rather than endanger the environment, and who preserve rather than despoil our natural treasures for the benefit of future generations".

We work in partnership with the travel and tourism industry to promote sustainable / responsible tourism and invite individual companies to support us. In the last 18 months some 40 travel related companies - tour operators, travel agents, hotels, insurance companies and airlines have helped us. A much larger number distribute our Traveller's Code

What do we do?

FOC provides support in more than 20 countries - including Kenya, Costa Rica, Namibia, India, The Caribbean, Seychelles - in the following areas:

  • Wildlife monitoring, protection and applied scientific research.
    • Habitat protection.
  • Promoting sustainable tourism.
  • Environmental programmes that provide education and bring benefits to local communities in developing countries.
  • Carbon sequestration projects, fuel efficiency and reforestation.
  • Sustainable resource management.
  • Anti-poaching campaigns and human / wildlife conflict management
  • Providing veterinary supplies and equipment.

How your business might help can best be discussed with you but some of the ways might include the following:-

Ideas for Action:

  • One of the major causes attributed to global warming is pollution caused by air travel. Click here to read about a report presented at the 2004 ITT conference (with thanks to Travel weekly)

    Talk to us about our "Carbon Calculator" . This easy to use on-line tool can be customised with your company details for use on your own website. Your clients can be invited to donate to measures that help reduce the amount of harmful Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere created by their flight. The Calculator gives information on how to measure distances travelled and suggested amounts for donations. Your customers can use this Calculator to see what effect their holiday air travel has on the environment and it will give them the opportunity to redress the balance by donating money to plant trees, protect forests or help with fuel efficiency measures at one of FOC's ongoing projects.

  • Ask us for copies of our "Traveller's Code". Giving this short guide out to your customers before they travel will encourage them to become more aware of environmental issues, enabling them to enjoy a more eco-friendly holiday. Helpful tips in this free guide include what to do 'before you go', finding out about local culture and customs and ways that people can conserve the environment once at their destination.

  • Encourage your employees to participate in our GAYE (Give as you Earn) Scheme. This simple to administer scheme is at no cost to your company, but it will help earn much needed funds for our ongoing projects. Basically employees on your payroll have the opportunity to make a donation to FOC on a regular basis.

  • You can become a member of the Travel & Tourism Conservation Group (TTCG).

    What is the TTCG Charter?

    Simply, the TTCG is based on the following principles:-

    • To channel funds to effective conservation and community projects in the field.
    • To promote environmental responsibility within the industry and its travelling public.
    • To identify and advise FOC of potential new projects which will benefit biodiversity and local communities.
    • To identify and develop new opportunities with FOC to introduce responsible tourism as a means of safeguarding natural habitats, species and improving human quality of life among local people.

    What are the benefits of becoming a TTCG member?

    1. Explicit and visible commitment of your organisation to conservation and reducing the adverse environmental impact that tourism can sometimes have.
    2. Preserving the natural assets and local communities on which your business depends.
    3. Opportunities to identify and initiate new conservation projects in destinations that your clients visit and value and participate in the development of new responsible tourism ventures.
    4. Access to FOC's 20+ years of practical experience of responsible tourism practices.
    5. Networking with industry colleagues at regular meetings and invitations to FOC events and lectures.
    6. Ideas for motivating and involving your staff.
    7. Receiving copies of the "Traveller's Code" for distribution to your clients.
    8. Reciprocal links with the FOC website to involve your clients in supporting chosen projects and FOC's carbon sequestration programme.

      9. For more details, please contact The Director on 020 7592 0110 or Email focinfo@aol.com

FOC is a member of the The Responsible Travel Partnership -

The Responsible Tourism Partnership is a not for profit organisation that works in partnerships to improve destinations for local people and their visitors. www.responsibletourismpartnership.org