L-R: Simon Marshall, Blyth store manager and Eleanor Whalley, travel adviser, Dawson & Sanderson.
(L - R): Simon Marshall, Blyth store manager and Eleanor Whalley, travel adviser, Dawson & Sanderson.

North East travel operator to donate tree for every ATOL holiday booked

A Newcastle-based travel operator is reducing its carbon footprint by donating a tree for every ATOL protected packaged holiday booked.

Dawson & Sanderson, with branches throughout the North East, Cumbria and Yorkshire, is spearheading the idea of ‘mindful travel’ and promoting reforestation as part of its wider push for greater sustainability.

The company has invested in solar panels on some of its buildings and planted more than 40,000 trees in Northumberland during the last 25 years.

Dawson & Sanderson has teamed up with a company called Trees4Travel to make regular donations to allow the company to help restore rainforests around the world. It is recognised that to combat carbon emissions forest restoration is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change.

Chris Harrison, MD at Dawson & Sanderson, said: “Most forms of travel result in carbon emissions so we are taking steps to offset that. Holidaymakers can travel knowing they are also doing some good. Trees are the most powerful absorbers of carbon emissions.

“By helping to plant trees in developing countries as you travel, people will help restore ecosystems, biodiversity and support local communities.

“We actively look to work with and promote sustainable suppliers and operators such as Jet2 who are one of the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly airlines.

“As a company we are conscious of our need to reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint.

“During the past three years we have cut the use of paper across the company by more than 60 per cent by introducing a digital system that sends customer paperwork via email. We are constantly aiming to reduce this further still.”

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