Online ethical travel guide planned

An informal networking evening announced on an exciting new development at Tourism Concern – the Ethical Travellers Guide to the World

Tourism Concern are hosting a networking evening on the 12th September to present the new concept and hear from travellers, industry and NGO’s on how best to develop the website.

Guest Speaker – Graham Boynton  Dome Room, 1 Cornhill, London EC3V 3ND

The new website will combine Tourism Concern campaigns, research, library resources, the Ethical Travel Guide, Ethical Tour Operators Group and Ethical Volunteering Group into one easily accessible resource that can be accessed on a country by country basis via an interactive map. The site will also promote local NGOs and partners in each country and support local initiatives supported by tourism.

Says Tourism Concern "Despite the recession ethical goods sales have increased in the UK. Tourists and travellers are also becoming more ethically aware and seeking out information on how to travel ethically and sustainably. Last year visitors to the Tourism Concern website increased by 138% and currently over 20,000 people visit the site every month looking for information and advice on travelling ethically. "

Tourism Concerns’ Executive Director Mark Watson said "Our supporters want us to promote better and more ethical forms of tourism and a clear role for the charity is to change consumer behaviour in order that people make more informed choices about their holidays. I want to promote better tourism – trips where people experience the real community and the community gets real benefits as a result. Our new website will be more focused on information that is useful for the traveller and will provide easily accessible advice to consumers on ethical travel."

The website will include country specific information and interactive map – the Ethical Travellers Guide to the World – for each country we plan to provide the following:

• Ethical Tourism Issues (Tourism Concern campaigns)
• Online Ethical travel Guide (ethical places to stay)          
• Ethical Tour Operators that organise trips to that country           
• Community / local issues           
• Ethical Volunteering opportunities        
• Ability to support local projects
• Foreign Office country advice  
• Geographical information (climate, flora fauna)
• Demographic information         
• Local information (how much to tip etc..)           
• Ability to view / leave reviews / comments
• In depth information from an online digital library

For more information contact Mark Watson on 02076663095 or [email protected]

Valere Tjolle

SUSTAINABLE/REAL TOURISM INFORMATION & OFFERS HERE