WATER PRESERVATION A HOLIDAYMAKER PRIORITY, CLAIMS TUI RESEARCH

The vast majority of holidaymakers believe that it is important to save water when on holiday. Research issued today by Tui Travel operators Thomson and First Choice to coincide with World Water Day shows that 98.5% of consumers see water preservation as a priority. The sister operators have donated more than £50,000 to water charity Just a Drop and have raised £160,000 for Pump Aid which builds pumps and toilets in sub-Saharan Africa. The donations are part of Thomson and First Choice’s Holidays Forever commitments to raise £1 million for charity every year.

 homson and First Choice are contractually obliging hotels they use to sign up to minimum sustainability standards. They aim to have more than 90% of hotels with Travelife environmental awards or similar by 2014. They are working with First Choice Holiday Villages, Thomson Sensatori and Thomson Couples hotels to reduce their carbon and water footprints. Thomson’s water and energy saving Waterpebble water usage monitoring device has been trialled at Sensatori Tenerife, with the operator giving holidyamakers their own gadgets to take home.

Group sustainable development director Jane Ashton said: “We are committed to improving the sustainability of our suppliers and working with our hotels to reduce their water footprint. “Raising money for charities which deliver vital and life-saving clean water supplies where they are needed will remain a key priority for us.” As part of the World Water Day celebrations, you could enter Travel Weekly’s competition to win a high-speed boat ride on the Thames for you and three friends.

 source: http://www.travelweekly.co.uk