2009 is a year for optimistic travellers
Last updated 06/01/2009 14:22:54
A world of travel is waiting for you in 2009. Photo © Zarina Holmes
I scanned the past travel headlines as we are reaching the twilight of 2008; there were many gloomy stories – airlines going bust, soaring fuel price, economic downturn and climate change. Scary, paralyzing news that deter us from exploring the world.
Fortunately, there is a flipside to this. A broken system is simply an indication that we need a better one in place. Travel industry has to be inventive again, and find fresh solutions to replace the inefficient models that clearly have outlived the today’s requirement.
We need airports with better designs, efficient transportation system, less reliance on fossil fuel and responsible tourism policy that protects the locals and the environment.
Optimist Travel is inspired by individuals and organizations, which have strived to create sustainable and ethical tourism alternatives for travellers.
Jane Kaye Bailey, a luxury traveller, set up The Butterfly Tree charity for orphans in rural Zambia after visiting the impoverished Mukuni village during a business incentive trip.
Christopher Hill created Hands Up Holidays after two years of worldwide research for destinations suitable for voluntourism programme.
We admire Joe Oliver and BASH team for their infectious enthusiasm in promoting eco-entertainment event production.
The same goes for Inkaterra Association, a Peruvian charity that uses tourism to promote nature conservation in the Machu Picchucloud forest area.
On the social front, the Chettri sisters from 3 Sister’s Adventure Trekking single-handedly redefined the meaning of "girl power", by breaking the social convention and creating an economy for Nepal’s female mountain guides.
We were introduced to non-profit initiatives such as Julie’s Bicycle, which aims is to reduce UK music industry greenhouse gas emissions, and Sustrans, an outfit that tirelessly campaigns for better cycle routes throughout UK and Northern Ireland.
Gate Gourmet, the world’s largest provider of airline catering services, showed us how a mammoth organization can influence the entire industry’s sustainable practice by setting the standards for an efficient supply chain management system.