First Choice Holidays PLC Headline Sponsor for Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market
LONDON, UK, October 5, 2005. Now in its eleventh year, Responsible Tourism Day, Wednesday 16 November, at World Travel Market is to have its first ever headline sponsor.
First Choice Holidays PLC, recently confirmed as sponsors of the Responsible Tourism Awards, is to sponsor what is regarded as one of the most popular themed days at the four day event - Monday 14 to Thursday 17 November, ExCeL London.
Commenting on the sponsorship Dermot Blastland, PLC Director and Managing Director of the Mainstream Holidays Sector said: First Choice Holidays PLC is fully committed to sustainable development and is pro-actively working towards this goal. Last year we sponsored the Responsible Tourism Awards and are doing so again this year. We are delighted to have the opportunity to expand this to include sole sponsorship of the Responsible Tourism Day at World Travel Market on 16 November, where so many people in the industry come together to debate this important issue".
Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director and founder of the Day said: "This announcement highlights the increased importance the industry is placing on all aspects of responsible tourism. World Travel Market is proud of the role it continues to play in raising key issues and encouraging debate. This is seen as one of the most important dates in the responsible tourism calendar of events".
The Day continues to attract an influential group of supporters - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Tour Operators Initiative, The Times, Geographical Magazine, The Travel Foundation and responsibletravel.com. A full programme of events has been developed with the Day's supporters. The highlights of the morning will be the presentation of the second First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards supported by responsibletravel.com, World Travel Market, The Times and Geographical magazine.
This is followed by the Global Challenge Debate, also on the World Stage, which brings together four key players in the sector to discuss and debate key issues affecting responsible tourism. Chairperson will be John Stapleton who has been involved in Responsible Tourism Day for the past four years.
The afternoon sees two seminars. One by UNEP/Tour Operators Initiative entitled 'Creating a Sustainable Tourism Experience' and the other by The Travel Foundation - 'Do customers care about sustainable tourism?'
Responsible Tourism Day takes place on Wednesday 16 November from 11.00 onwards. All events are free and allocated on a first come first served basis. For more information log onto www.wtmlondon.com
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