Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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Firstly from the beginning of season we have sponsored 8 local children from the island aged between 5 and 8 who were very keen on progressing their sailing. These children receive free instruction each week and are working towards their level 1 RYA in sailing target end of their summer holidays.
Also during the fit out of the new centre all resources were purchased through local suppliers, giving a boost to the local community. These suppliers will continue to support the centre for spares etc.
We are currently, through our dive operation on Avalon's beach, running an underwater litter collection scheme that the guests can help participate in, helping to take waste plastic from the marine environment.
The majority of our activities programmes are based on wind, pedal or muscle power, providing enough energy to satisfy most thrill-seeking speed-freaks in the most environmentally benign way we know how. We can also cater for our more sedate guests, however! Where possible we use 4-stroke outboard engines on our powerboats to reduce noise, fuel consumption and emissions.
We have tasked our overseas staff to identify 3 long-term initiatives that will bring positive benefits to the economies, communities and environments in which they live and work. We are working with The Travel Foundation to seek ways to develop practical, sustainable tourism solutions to help protect and enhance holiday destinations. And we are also working with the Federation of Tour Operators to develop responsible travel codes of practice.
Kids can make a difference too! We encourage children to take an interest in the destination they are holidaying in and they’re loving it. We have been working with the Travel Foundation to produce a play and puzzle book aimed at 7-10 year olds, called "Hatch the Turtle". "Hatch" is a friendly little fellow who has lots of stories to tell about all the people and animals living in the amazing places our guests go on holiday. He encourages children to try local dishes, buy locally made crafts and speak a few words of the local languages. There are even a few words of Turtlish! This activity book will be piloted in the children's clubs this summer.
In addition to this exciting new initiative, we have a range of activities running in our children's clubs overseas and here is a selection of the kinds of things they get up to:
- Vegetable plot - A small area of spare soil where the children can plant, water and learn about local herbs and vegetables.
- Nature trail - In the form of a treasure trail to make it exciting, looking at local flora and fauna, with clues and an incentive at the end.
- Plate design - Using recycled materials, decorating plates and involving a competition such as who can throw it the highest.
- Show cooking - Watching the resident chef make a local dish and encouraging the children to participate
- Yukky or yummy - Local dishes are tried and tested by the children who give thumbs up or thumbs down and a sticker for trying!
- Themed music and movement days - Getting active with music and incorporate this with puppet shows with a cultural story.
- Local day - All day the theme would be of that country, so traditional costume, food etc. We have been auditing all the hotels and operations we run to see how they perform against a sustainability checklist created by Travelife, an independent initiative, funded by the EU and supported by the Federation of Tour Operators.
Hotels are classified according to their sustainability performance and this resort has gained the Travelife Silver award, for businesses which actively help the local community and environment.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
