As a company we have always tried to take our environmental responsibilities seriously. We realised a long time ago that, as a specialist in our chosen areas, we should not destroy the places to which we send our clients and from which our livelihood is derived. We do not send large numbers to any one island, village or area, and believe that ‘low impact’ tourism can be both sustainable and beneficial to local communities.
We are also of course acutely aware that the holiday flights our customers take are damaging for the environment and we have therefore come up with the scheme below.
Climate Change & Carbon Offsets
Although the science of climate change, in particular the overall impact of aviation, is not yet fully understood, there is increasing recognition that the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by aircraft fuel emissions is contributing to climate change.
The flights taken by Sunvil’s 30,000 customers generate about 12,000 tonnes of CO2 every year – around the same as 3,500 cars. One return flight to Greece means about 0.47 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
Together with Carbon Offsets Limited, Sunvil can help you offset some of the damage these emissions cause. Offsetting is straightforward. Donations made will be invested in verified offset projects, such as renewable energy, that generate CO2 savings to balance out your flight emissions.
On your holiday confirmation invoice you will see that we have added around £3.00 per person, which represents the average cost of offsetting a flight to Greece (the actual amount will vary slightly depending on the route). This is, of course, a matter of personal choice – should you not wish to do so then please simply deduct this amount from your final balance.
Where will your money go? >
We do not claim carbon offsetting to be the total solution but feel that it’s a start. The recent trend to several cheap short breaks per annum has exacerbated the problem. At Sunvil all our staff air travel is offset and, amongst other measures, we also turn all lights, computers and screens off every night! Small things individually, perhaps, but when taken together then we believe that any contribution, however small, is worthwhile.
Friends of the Ionian
We have, for many years, been supporters of Friends of the Ionian (FoI), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of tourism and the holiday environment in the Ionian. FoI also performs a public information role to further the protection of endangered species (including the Monk Seal and the Loggerhead Turtle). FoI has a wonderful website from which you can, for a small charge, download very useful Island Information Packs for the Ionians. Please visit the FOI website >
The Travel Foundation
The Travel Foundation is a UK charity that cares for the places we love to visit.
Your holiday can make a real difference to your favourite destinations. It can help protect the natural environment, traditions and culture – the things that make your visit special. And it can improve the well-being of local families – so that more people benefit from your visit. All of which can make your holiday experience even better! Most importantly, it can help ensure that there are great places for us all to visit – for generations to come.
Sunvil, along with several other travel companies, is supporting the work of The Travel Foundation by donating 50p from every holiday booked direct to the charity, and providing help in kind in the way of complimentary flights, accommodation and other services in order to help the workings of the charity.
On your holiday confimation you will see that we have added £1 in case you should also want to make a contribution. Should you not wish to do so simply deduct this amount from your final payment.
The UK is taking a lead in changing the way the world travels.
For more information, please take a look at The Travel Foundation's website >
AITO
The Association of Independent Tour Operators was the first travel industry organisation to draw up Responsible Tourism guidelines for their members (of which we are one) in order to recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 2 or 3 star status. Sunvil Holidays has achieved AITO 2-star Responsible Tourism status. For further details please visit the AITO website >
