Better Holidays Program from Dutch Tour Operators Association
ANVR is the travel trade association in the Netherlands representing approx. 230 tour operators and 1100 retail agencies. Collectively the members represent approximately 90% of the outbound package travel market.
The ANVR set up a policy that requires all his members to meet a minimum of sustainable practices through a number of established criteria. Through this pro-active and future-oriented policy the ANVR stimulates and motivates its members and supports the development of more sustainable tourism products and services to enhance the positive impacts wherever possible and to reduce the negative social, cultural and environmental impacts as much as possible.
The objective is to offer a set of trainings and tools to improve the sustainability performance of the tour operators, members of ANVR. The ANVR is working on:
(1) Promoting the integration of sustainability into the supply chain of the members and initiating activities that protect and restore the natural environment and enhance local livelihoods to optimize the holidays’ environmental, economic and social impacts;
(2) Developing trainings, workshops and communications to help members to improve their sustainability performance. Apart from a general training a particular focus is on carbon management trainings to reduce carbon emissions through work programs concerning transport, accommodations, excursions and their internal management (office premises). Other specific trainings cover child protection and animal welfare;
(3) Providing information, training and support to Dutch travel professionals gaining their commitment to taking action on sustainable development issues;
(4) Encouraging members to offer more sustainable travel options and to take action to reduce their negative impacts and maximize their positive impacts in destinations.
Project is in progress and key results will be shared.
