Introduction

Tourism and travel have a high environmental impact (Zotz, 2008, p.7). Tour operators and guides are involved in many of the stages responsible for delivering a tourism product: from planning and developing, to promoting and implementing the end-result, these actors are integral parts of a process that is known to generate high carbon emissions, significant waste production and high resource consumption.

In a world aching for more sustainable practices and for a greener future, responsible travel should be prioritized among possible solutions and conscious alternatives. To that end, this module aims at highlighting environmentally friendly aspects of tourism to VET establishments and hotel staff that can be promoted and implemented by tour operators and guides. With the scope to become ambassadors of low environmental footprint themselves, learners will get familiarised with greener tourism products and practices, as well as with greener company practices that can improve the company image and consumer behaviour.