Transat announces support for two more sustainable tourism projects, in Cambodia and Canada

MONTREAL, April 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader, is pleased to announce its support for two new sustainable tourism projects, in Cambodia and Canada. Since 2007, when it instituted its program in support of communities in its destination countries, Transat has committed a total of more than $500,000 (€364,000) in financial backing to 14 initiatives in various locations around the world.

"Besides providing support in the field for work being done by organizations of all sizes, these projects help raise awareness among all stakeholders, including governments, communities, destinations and promoters, of the importance of ensuring more sustainable tourism development," said Transat President and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Eustache.andnbsp; "We are pleased to note that our support, both financial and moral, often makes a difference in the execution and success of these projects."

Two new projects

Transat is supporting the international organization Wildlife Alliance, dedicated to the direct protection of forests and wildlife. Its project, aimed at conservation of both natural and cultural resources, is helping villagers in Chi Phat and Trapeang Rung, two communities in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia, to implement a community-based ecotourism project. Wildlife Alliance has been lending its world-renowned expertise to the region for more than 10 years, working to preserve the local forest ecosystem—an important source of biodiversity—while helping communities develop alternative livelihoods.

Cambodia is a destination marketed by Transat tour operators Rêvatours in Canada and Vacances Transat in France, as well as by Look Voyages, also departing from France, as an extension of its Thailand packages.

Transat has also chosen to support the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism, a non-profit agency in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Institute advances the quality and success of tourism operators in Canada's Atlantic Provinces, ensuring development and integration of sustainable tourism best practices with an eye to protecting and preserving the natural and cultural attractions that make the region a first-rate tourism destination.

andnbsp;The project includes training and evaluation of approximately 100 tourism companies to make improvements to their service quality through more responsible entrepreneurial management. Atlantic Canada is a tourism region served by Transat business units Vacances Transat in France and Canadian Affair in the United Kingdom, as well as Jonview Canada and Merika Tours.

A renewed program

Transat's program in support of sustainable tourism projects at destination supports development of tourism projects dedicated to the enhancement of environmental or heritage assets, that create jobs, and that are carried out by non-profit organizations and/or communities.

Applications, which were previously subject to a call for submissions with a deadline, may now be submitted to Transat at any time of the year. A downloadable registration form and full program details are available on the Transat website, www.transat.com, in the section "Corporate responsibility andgt; Philanthropy andgt; Our philanthropy policy." Projects are selected based on merit.

Transat has supported projects in 9 countries (Canada, France, Cuba, Tunisia, Morocco, Peru, Mexico, Turkey and Cambodia). The maximum contribution per project is $50,000 (€35,000).The value of assistance provided to the projects announced today is $70,000 (€51,000). Descriptions of all projects supported can be found at www.resp.transat.com.

About Transat

Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, destination services, accommodation and distribution.

Source = newswire.ca