June 24, 2024 Madeline Barber
Iberostar took travel agents to its Dominican Republic resort this month (June), while Intrepid took groups to South Africa in September and Greece is due to host travel agents later this year.
A group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors-in-training have just returned from the Dominican Republic after exploring an Iberostar resort near Punta Cana as part of the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes program.
The group stayed at the Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites, met with the group's Dominican Republic-based sustainability team and visited the on-site coral lab, bee farm, bird observatory and mangrove restoration project, all attractions linked by the Walk of Change trail within the five-hotel Iberostar resort.
“The fam trip was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our various lines of sustainability work in the places where many of them began,” said Aishling McLoughlin, Iberostar's business development director UK and Ireland.
“The reef restoration work at Coral Lab is truly amazing, and our agents were thrilled to have the opportunity to tour the work site and speak to the scientists working there. Even better, all clients staying at the resort can visit the site whenever they like.”
Agents were also taken behind the scenes to tour the resort's waste management facility and learn about Iberostar's commitment to sending 0% of its waste to landfill by 2025.
“The response has been amazing, even though I visited the waste yard to see all the bins,” said McLoughlin, who added that he also spoke to a manager from Iberostar's 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) team, who said the response was also positive. “It's good to hear that we're hitting our target.” [to meet our zero waste goal]”, she added.
The group was also able to sample guest amenities, services and gastronomic delights during their stay, effectively selling the experience to customers.
“This was a great way for our agents to enjoy some free time and for their clients to experience how they can enjoy a sustainable holiday with Iberostar,” Mr McLoughlin said.
The TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes Family Trip is one of three trips taking place in 2024. In September, Intrepid will take a group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassador trainees to South Africa to visit the Black Mambas, the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit.
That same month, Greece will be bringing a group of TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassador trainees to the island to experience some of the most sustainable experiences available.
For more information about the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes program, visit ttgmedia.com/sustainabletravelheroes.
