United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
TUI Environment & Social Marathon for Palma
Tuesday, 11 Jun, 2010
0
Environment and social commitment – these are the two major supporting themes of the sustainability strategy behind the TUI Marathon Palma de Majorca.
TUI are to operate the world’s most beautiful island marathon under the “green marathon” leitmotiv. Sustainability has had a firm place in TUI’s corporate philosophy and culture for 20 years. “As the organiser and name sponsor of the Marathon we feel it is our duty to consider the aspect of sustainability in this major sporting event even more than we have been doing in the past and make it more targeted,“ said Michael Lambertz, Marketing Director and official responsible for the Marathon at TUI.
“It is very important that tour operators promote responsibility for the environment. That’s why we congratulate TUI for their initiative in the diversification of tourism products to be permanently on the look-out for harmony with the natural environment," said Gabriel Vincens Mir, Environment and Mobility Minister of the Balearics. And María Isabel González, Sport Councillor of Palma added: “We believe it is important and good that companies promoting sporting events highlight such initiatives for protecting the environment. The future lies in an on-going enjoyment of sporting activities, while minimising the waste caused as well as the environmental pollution.“
In the development of the so-called “Green Marathon“ concept TUI considered guidelines for environmentally friendly major sporting events, which have been worked out jointly by the German Federal Environment Ministry and the German Olympic Sports Association. “We are well aware that major sporting events also create environmental burdens,“ said Lambertz. “For this reason,“ he continued, “we have already in the past paid considerable attention to environmental aspects associated with the TUI Marathon, but now it is time to extend these even more.“
For instance TUI contributes to the protection of the environment by making a fixed contribution for every Majorca flight. The proceeds are invested directly in the TUI Forest in the northeast of the island. In addition, TUI doubles every voluntary tree donation to the TUI Forest made by customers. Within the marathon event shuttle bus services are provided for the participants, whereas exhibitors are contractually obliged to avoid waste and sort any waste that they do produce. The waste along the route is cleared and appropriately sorted, while the food and drinks for the runners en route are mainly local products.
Partners and co-sponsors of the marathon also adhere to the sustainability concept, for instance by providing running equipment from ecologically and recyclable raw materials.
TUI’s second approach in its sustainability strategy is the acceptance of social responsibility. Since 2008 TUI has been working together with UNICEF Majorca on the TUI Marathon Palma de Majorca. For every child that participates in the Kids’ Run, the running event on the day before the marathon, TUI donates five euros to the UNICEF aid project “Water for Niger – every drop counts“, which works towards improving the living conditions of children in that African region.
Another socially oriented form of cooperation involving the TUI Marathon Palma de Majorca exists with the Peter Maffay Foundation, which focuses its efforts on a therapeutic ”children’s finca“ on Majorca. This cooperation allows Tabaluga children who are looked after in the finca to take part in the Kids’ Run with their very own starter’s number. Moreover, TUI contributes to the work of the foundation by providing free flights for the youngsters.
This year the Family Holiday Association is the partner organisation on the British market. When booking a travel package, runners from the United Kingdom can give disadvantaged families the chance of a holiday.
Valere Tjolle
Valere
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Gatwick braces for strike
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’