How we’re making our holidays more sustainable

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED EXCURSIONS

Getting out and about while on holiday is one of the best ways to experience a place. So, we’ve made sure our excursions tick off some of the world’s best attractions while also giving back to the local community, and helping tourism thrive. Our TUI Collection excursions benefit people living in the destinations we travel to in all sorts of ways, like creating jobs for local tour guides. And, by working with people who’ve grown up in a destination, we’re making sure your holiday has an authentic twist. So, you can feel confident that our excursions take you beyond the normal tourist spots, in a way that’s protecting the environment. You’ll learn about local culture and tradition, plus get to taste delicious cuisine in the heart of the action. You’ll see the TUI Collection symbol next to these unique excursions. They’re enjoyed by thousands of holidaymakers every year and include everything from craft making and wine tasting to exploring hidden hamlets and shopping for handmade souvenirs. Why not try Tulum in Mexico? Home to Mayan ruins, the shops here are packed with ethically produced goods and built from recycled materials. And, if you fancy a bite to eat, there are loads of vegan spots on offer.

Find out more about the excursions we have on offer

LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS

We want you to get a real taste of your holiday destination, which means working with local suppliers and serving fresh cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients in our hotels. At our TUI BLUE hotels, for example, you’ll find regional dishes at every meal. So, you get to sample authentic favourites from the place you’re staying in, and help the environment while you’re at it. We’re doing lots to reduce plastic waste too, by removing plastic straws from our cruise line, Marella Cruises, and asking our hotels to do the same. One hotel, the Amada Colossos Resort in Rhodes, has really embraced the challenge. They now offer pasta straws in drinks, rather than plastic ones.

Find out more about our TUI BLUE hotels

ECO-FRIENDLY HOTELS

We’re committed to promoting hotels we know are operating in a greener and fairer way. Over 60% of our hotels have sustainability certifications, which helps improve how they manage their environmental and social impacts. That means reducing their energy or water consumption, and ensuring they support local people, businesses and culture. The Hotel Falesia in Portugal goes the extra mile when it comes to reducing waste. They’ve installed motion-sensor units to switch off air conditioning and heating when rooms are empty, plus they repair broken furniture and recycle old clothes and uniforms. And, the Alion Beach hotel in Cyprus also makes a conscious effort to recycle, with glass bottles being sent back to suppliers and no aluminum cans being used. They’ve even installed an eco-friendly solar-powered system to heat the pools, too. Meanwhile, the ROBINSON Club Agadir in Morocco has built the largest solar plant in the country, using the energy from its solar panel-covered roof for its hot water supply. In fact, in over 60% of ROBINSON Clubs across the globe, up to 100% of the energy is sourced from solar panels or biomass plants. And it’s not just the hotels that are working to become more eco-friendly. The government in Mauritius have launched a renewable energy programme to reduce the amount of energy it uses from fossil fuels.

CARBON-EFFICIENT PLANES

We've invested in carbon-efficient planes, and in 2018, TUI Airways was announced as the most carbon-efficient airline in the world. If you’re flying long haul, you might travel on one of our 787 Dreamliner planes. They consume around 20% less jet fuel than other aircraft, and offer extra legroom, quieter engines, mood lighting, and extra oxygen to help you adjust to your new time zone as standard. Alongside this, we’re working hard to make sure our flights continue to be as carbon friendly as possible by continuously reviewing our fleet. We’ve introduced carbon brakes to make our planes lighter, and make sure our flight routes are as efficient as possible, so we’re spending less time in the air. 

TUI CARE FOUNDATION PROJECTS

The TUI Care Foundation supports projects across the globe, aiming to improve the lives of young people, care for the natural world, and help local communities thrive. Think collaborations with animal welfare groups like World Animal Protection, who are working to build an elephant-friendly future in South East Asia. Then there’s our partnership with Pikala in Morocco. The organisation helps local children train as bike tour guides or bike mechanics, offering them jobs in a city with a high unemployment rate. And remember when we mentioned using locally sourced ingredients in our hotels? Our Flavours From The Fields project in Turkey brings produce from local farmers to your dinner table. There are loads of different projects taking place, and you can support them with a small donation when you book a holiday with us. In some destinations, like Cape Verde, you’ll be supporting the local TUI Care Foundation projects when you book our excursions, too. 

Find out more about the TUI Care Foundation

Ready for an eco-friendly holiday?

Stay home. Keep dreaming. Keep discovering.

Just so you know, this was written before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Check out our deals, plus read about our best wildlife holidays and our best tours for mountain lovers.

Authors: Selina Akhtar and Lizzie Butler