The Born Free Foundation has invited Dermot Blastland, Tui Travel UK and Ireland’s managing director, to be a guest speaker at its upcoming debate on the impact of tourism on wildlife.

The evening, Look At Animals With A Different View, will look at the issues surrounding increased tourism and the positive and negative impact on animals in some of the world’s most visted and developing destinations.

The debate is the first on this specific subject involving travel industry stakeholders.

Blastland said: “In five years’ time, I’d like to think that we won’t be discussing sustainable tourism at all: it will just be part of the way we do business.”

Born Free Founder Virginia McKenna OBE and investigative reporter Donal MacIntyre will run the evening and Abta’s Travelife sustainability manager Chris Thompson will also take part.

Born Free Foundation spokesperson Kate Chapman said: “We all love to travel, but what we do has an impact. What does responsible tourism mean for wildlife? Can tourism actually bring benefits to animal welfare and conservation? This is what we hope to discuss on the night.”

The evening of talks takes place on March 18 at the Ondaatje Theatre, Royal Geographical Society and starts at 7pm (doors open from 6pm) and the audience will be drawn from both the public and the travel industry.

Tickets are £12.50. Contact Joanne Bartholomew at Born Free: 01403 240170, joanne@bornfree.org.uk or visit www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/events/born-free-at-the-rgs/

There will also be a corresponding Look At Animals With A Different View Exhibition running March 15-19 at the The Pavilion at the Royal Geographical Society.


Image: Mike Vickers, www.tigersintheforest.com