Things we did in 2008!

We are proud of the achievements we made in 2008 to help our local community and the environment.

At Contiki we recognize there’s a lot to be done and this year we took some key steps to contribute positively towards protecting the environment. We also established The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation which contributes up to US$1 million towards projects that protect the environment and support sustainable tourism.

What we did in 2008…

• Introduced carbon offsetting through our websites so you can choose to travel ‘carbon neutral’.

• Established a ‘green team’ in each of our offices around the world. In 2008 we implemented recycling program, waste reduction and took steps to reduce our energy consumption.

• Switched to using either recycled or accredited forestry sustainability certified FSC or PEFC paper.

• Printed all brochures on FSC certified paper, ensuring the paper we used was from sustainably managed forests.

• Installed efficient lighting, introduced an IT energy-saving policy and incentivised staff car pooling schemes.

• Introduced a staff volunteer program encouraging each staff member to volunteer for a local charity of their choice for two work days per year.

Conservation projects we’ve supported this year…

Protecting Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

We’ve contributed US$350,000 to Conservation International’s efforts to protect one of the world’s most threatened tropical forests by creating new protected areas and nature corridors. This project is of global environmental significance, with the forest’s preservation key to protecting rare species from extinction and an important step towards combating climate change.

Saving Venice

Venice is faced with great challenges such as flooding, the degradation of its precious monuments and pressure from mass tourism. We are contributing US$150,000 to the Venice in Peril charity to fund the restoration of important monuments in Venice. We’ve also helped fund Cambridge University research which addresses these key problems to ensure Venice remains for future generations of residents and tourists.

The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundations President Dave Hosking is presented a copy of the Venice research report by Venice in Peril’s Nicky Baly following the foundation’s $150,000 grant for Venice research and restoration work, which will help preserve the city for future generations.

Wildlife Research Camp

We have also established wildlife research camps in Northern Botswana to protect elephant, zebra and antelopes and their habitats. We’re the major supporter of the global Tourism for Tomorrow Awards for sustainable tourism.

We will be announcing more projects in February 2009 so keep updated on our work by visiting www.tltc.com/foundation

Thanks for your support which has helped us do more to protect the environment.