September 27th marks World Tourism Day, which this year encourages travellers to think about sustainable tourism as a development tool. Tourism is the third biggest industry in the world (after fuel and chemicals interestingly). In 2016 1.235 billion travellers crossed international borders in one single year. By 2030, this will become 1.8 billion. No wonder airports and roads always seem so busy!
The aim of World Tourism Day is to encourage those 1.2 billion to use their travels as a positive force for good, in five distinct ways – Economic; Social (bringing jobs and empowering communities); Environmental (preserving the environment); Cultural (celebrating and preserving diversity); and finally, Peace. Why not get involved on social media, with the hashtag#TravelEnjoyRespect
The day got us thinking about all our favourite places to travel, and so we asked some of the team to share with us the best places they’d been. Now we all want to go book a holiday.
Chris Page (Move Co-ordinator)
There’s a few places I’ve been which really stick with me – I can’t choose just one! I struggled to narrow it down to even four, as each place has its own character and benefits, the things which make it unique. Which is the reason we travel – we wouldn’t want everywhere to be the same! So, my highlights would be:
- Malawi – Untouched, natural beauty. You really have the feeling of being away from civilization, which is quite nice sometimes.
- And the exact opposite… New York City!
- Durban Beachfront – Where I call home, it has lovely warm water and is amazing for surfing. There’s also fantastic wildlife and the option of taking a safari. You don’t get to see many of the Big 5 in Leeds!
- Mozambique – Amazing unspoilt coastline and the best peri-peri chicken in the world! What more could you want.
Durban Beachfront
Nick Wright (General Manager)
My top destination would be Taormina in Sicily. Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily, which looks over Mount Etna – obviously still an active volcano. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theatre, still used today for events like the Taormina Film Festival. Nothing quite beats the relaxing atmosphere in the town along with the excellent food and wines served in its many superb restaurants.
Taormina Theatre
Ann O’Sullivan (Move Coordinator)
I love Benidorm. It is a friendly resort with a beautiful coastline and The Old Town has lots of culture. There is always something new to explore with each visit.
Benidorm Beachfront
Callum Booth (Digital Marketing Manager)
New Zealand as a country is absolutely stunning in so many different ways. I was lucky enough to call Queenstown on the South Island home for a while in 2015 and completely fell for the place. The small town sits on Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of The Remarkables mountain range which was a great view to wake up to! Its only topped by the nearby Milford Sound for spectacular scenery. Despite the relaxed setting, Queenstown is also an adrenaline hotspot being home to the first permanent commercial bungee jump – I took on the 134m Nevis bungee which was an incredible experience!
Queenstown & The Remarkables
Some of our team have been lucky enough to live in their favourite spots – and sometimes a holiday inspires something a little more permanent. If you’re thinking about an overseas move, we have almost five decades of experience in international removals. Whether by land, air or sea, we can make sure your belongings get there safely and quickly – whilst managing the red tape you might encounter along the way.
So, wherever you’re going and no matter how long for – hopefully World Tourism Day will inspire some happy travels!
