If you're wondering where to spend your holidays this summer, but don't want to go to one of those huge faceless resorts, then why not try a holiday with a difference?0:05
John Rigby of Gofarer Travel Agency is here to tell us about some of the alternatives on offer.0:14
Good morning to you and all your listeners.0:22
From what I understand, John, your agency is aimed at people who want an eco holiday, is that right?0:24
I wouldn't call it eco tourism exactly, because we don't offer things like trips to Brazil to help protect the rainforest and so on.0:31
What we do is help people find a holiday that is going to have as low an impact as possible on the environment.0:38
In other words, we don't organize package holidays to large resorts.0:45
We work with small independent travel companies.0:49
So why is that good for the environment then?0:52
For lots of reasons really.0:55
Many beautiful places all over the world have lost their character because they have been overdeveloped.0:57
This has led to the destruction of the natural environment and has created the kind of tourism that means you never really get to be a part of the culture you are visiting.1:02
And most of the money you spend goes into the pockets of the big companies and not to the locals.1:10
Can you give us some examples of the kind of holiday someone could book with your agency?1:16
Oh, there are all sorts of them really, but I could start with some of our most popular ones.1:21
Beach holidays in sunny climates are usually at the top of people's lists, but with us we'll book you into a small, often family run hotel.1:26
Also popular are walking holidays.1:35
They're great for people who really want to feel closer to the natural environment.1:37
And for those who want to get away from it all, how about going on a yoga retreat holiday or to a traditional spa?1:41
I suppose a lot of the holidays you have mentioned are quite pricey.1:49
Well, obviously we can't compete with the package deals on prices, but we think that these kinds of holiday are in fact too cheap and nature is paying the price.1:54
I would like to say though that we do offer holidays to suit almost everyone's budget and we aim to keep our prices as low as possible.2:03
For instance, a week in a traditional Greek cottage is quite affordable and it's a sustainable form of tourism.2:11
Far better than staying in some characterless hotel.2:18
Surely it's worth a little extra.2:21
Don't you think that it's unlikely that these kinds of holiday will ever become really popular?2:23
I don't think anything could be further from the truth.2:29
Not only is awareness about green holidays growing, but also many people want a real experience from their holidays.2:32
They don't want to feel that going on holiday is like a factory process.2:39
You know, sometimes you can feel that you haven't left the country at all.2:43
The only difference is that it's sunnier.2:46
Well, people are getting fed up with this and that's a good thing, in my opinion.2:49
A lot of ecologists are saying that we shouldn't even go abroad for our holidays, as flying is damaging for the environment too.2:54
They're absolutely right, of course, but I don't think we're going to see the end of foreign travel anytime soon, especially when you consider the wet, chilly summers we often have here in Britain.3:00
Nonetheless, more and more people are opting for holidays at home.3:11
And you can have a lovely time in your own country, too.3:13
In fact, we offer lots of holidays for those who want to see more of the British Isles.3:16
So where do you go on holiday?3:21
It's not often I actually get to go on holiday, I'm afraid, as I'm too busy organising them for others.3:23
I really want to help make tourism a force for nature and not against it, and that takes up a lot of my time.3:29
What my wife and I really enjoy is, is going on mini breaks to places like the Lake District, and last year we even stayed in a castle in Ireland for a week.3:35
John, it's been lovely to have you with us this morning and thanks for all the fascinating information.3:45
It's been a pleasure.3:50
Клик по слову — перевод и «+ в мои слова» (в любом режиме). Клик по строке или таймкоду — перейти к этому месту записи.