The Projects
The TLTC Conservation Foundation will help Conservation International (CI) protect the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, the world’s most threatened tropical forest, with a grant of US$350,000. Known as one of the “hottest biodiversity hotspots” on Earth, the Atlantic Forest region is one of the world’s most important and highly threatened regions for conservation The TLTC Conservation Foundation grant will help protect more than 3 million hectares of forest in key priority regions within the Atlantic Forest which is recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. CI will employ a strategic, large-scale plan to create nature corridors for plant and animal life by implementing a set of existing protected areas and establishing new protected areas. This will not only preserve forest habitat for rare species facing extinction, but it will also help combat climate change.
Venice is visited by over 16 Million tourists a year and this level of mass tourism as well as flooding, degradation and the relocation of permanent residents is threatening the city’s future. With research and consideration there is great potential to establish sustainable tourism in Venice, without it the city may be largely uninhabitable within the century.
The TLTC Conservation Foundation will contribute US$150,000 to fund research and restoration in Venice. The funding will be utilised by the Venice in Peril charity in partnership with Cambridge University to publish a major research project which aims to ensure Venice remains for future generations of residents and tourists. A restoration project will be undertaken to preserve one of the city’s most precious monuments.
In Africa the Foundation will support Wilderness Wildlife Trust’s work which protects both the environment and incredible wildlife of Africa. The US$50,000 grant will go towards constructing three environmentally sustainable research camps and purchasing a vehicle for each camp. These camps will allow top conservation researchers to investigate elephant zebra and antelopes to ensure their habitat and species are protected for the future.
In Australia’s beautiful Kimberley region the TLTC Conservation Foundation have partnered with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the Kimberley Land Council to establish a project to help local communities develop indigenous sustainable tourism. This contribution will help protect the natural and cultural environment while also supporting local indigenous communities.
The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation will be a co-sponsor of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2009. The contribution made by the foundation will encourage the sharing of best practice among tourism operators, promote sustainability throughout the industry and help raise awareness about the environmental and cultural challenges faced by destinations and communities. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, an initiative of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) promote, support and reward best practice in sustainable tourism across the world. The Awards are handed out annually during the Global Travel & Tourism Summit.
