Travel Oké  expertise lies in facilitating enduring partnerships between stakeholders, and in building local capacity for sustainable development through tourism.   We translate science into practice!

We join destination stakeholders and tour operators to develop appropriate new products, supported by an effective PR and marketing programme. Our plans are always built on a strategic analysis of the tourism assets and resources available in a destination, and reflect consumer demand and current market developments. To ensure sustainable success, our product proposals also address the needs of the wider community in ways that promote regional and cross-sectoral integration.

Travelife       (  DTO - Duurzaam Toeristisch Ondernemen)                                               

A new international system introduces the sustainability principles in both the tour operator sector and the suppliers'.  This new standard has been adopted by the English, German, Dutch (ANVR) and Belgian Federations of Tour Operators, and it will improve the performance of  both tour operators and product suppliers.  Upon an audit,  suppliers can earn a Travelife Award.    

We are active in the development of the Travelife (DTO) system for tour operators and its implementation throughout the tourism business chain.  

Travel Oké  is an authorised auditor for the Travelife Sustainability System.

Supplier Sustainability Handbook                                                 contact us
 

Sustainable Tour Operating -  Environmental Management in the Business Chain?

Following the introduction of the ANVR’s PMZ System (Product-oriented Environmental Management System) among the Dutch tour operators in 2003, each tour operators’ Environmental Management Plan needed to be embedded in the collaboration with the business partners abroad. Therefore, this research was on the role of sustainable tourism in the business chain.

The research data and interviews with seven Dutch tour operators and their local incoming agents in two mass-tourism destinations, resulted in three case studies. The cases described the implementation of the PMZ action program of the participating tour operators in their collaboration with the incoming travel agents in the destinations Lanzarote (Spain) and Antalya (Turkey).

Overall, PMZ is not included in the daily routines of the participating tour operators yet. Therefore, the PMZ interaction between these two important actors in the tourism business chain is minimal due to the lack of communication on sustainable tourism within tour operating (March 07).
Nevertheless, the interest and awareness of sustainable tourism among the participating local incoming agents was clearly present. Through dialogue, the product managers and local agents could share their understandings of environmental issues, which could provide a doorway to more initiative for sustainable tourism in many mainstream tourist destinations.
By taking the taboo off  ‘sustainable tourism’ within the corporate cultures of many mainstream tour operators, and by including it in the dialogue with local agents, it could lead to tangible sustainable results, also in mass-tourism destinations. Sustainable Touroperating 

Agro Tourism  -   Greece

One of the leading examples for mass-tourism is the Mediterranean region, stretching from the southern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula all the way to the Southern and Western beaches of Turkey, including also the Northern-African coastline. The European phenomenon of temporary North-South migration referred to as 'tourism' has gradually led to the problem of environmental degradation of the visited areas.

With a local environmental NGO a project (1996) combining organic agriculture and tourism  was set up which generated high enthusiasm among the local community as well as tourists. Thus, these two important sectors in society were combined in a sustainable manner for both people & planet.  (MASH  Agrion Terra)

PROJECT  "ORGANIC AGRICULTURE & TOURISM"

Target Group: Tourism Industry
Organic agriculture can be an excellent tool for the protection of soil, water and air, the resources that tourism depends on. Groups of farmers were stimulated to switch to organic farming to produce food for local big hotels.  The farmers participated in extensive training-sessions focused on organic production methods and were supported by volunteers.  Moreover, they were assisted with the administrative requirements. By also organising tourist excursions to a range of organic producers, both sides benefited. This project is active since 1996.

PROJECT  "TRANSLATE SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE"

Target Group: Local Farmers
The main aim was to develop cheap and effective composting techniques for farmers. This was achieved through communication of the techniques; and by developing experimental farms for fresh vegetable and fruit produce and animal husbandry in co-operation with individual farmers or farmers' groups. This way, regenerative/ organic agriculture is demonstrated in practice.
Furthermore, the farmers were encouraged to communicate the traditional and innovative technical information within the agricultural community (other farmers, technicians, researchers).