Thomson Announces Sustainable Tourism Commitments at The Economist Sustainable Business Summit

LUTON, England, April 5, 2011 - TUI (Thomson and First Choice) the UK's leading tour operator, has
announced 20 sustainable travel commitments for 2011. Launched at The
Economist's Sustainable Business Summit, the ambitious three year commitments
reinforce the company's position at the forefront of sustainable tourism - it
is the only travel company to introduce such wide ranging and measurable
objectives.

The commitments, set to be achieved by 2014, represent the next stage in
TUI's Holidays Forever strategy, which brings all of its environmental and
socio-economic policies under one umbrella. Building on the success of the
first 20 commitments introduced last year, the announcement demonstrates
TUI's ongoing efforts to increase awareness among British holidaymakers of
the need to make sustainable holiday choices. By 2014 it will have actively
engaged with over 1 million customers in sustainable tourism.

The commitments include major steps towards the continuing reduction of
TUI's carbon footprint in the air and on the ground, both in its UK
operations and holiday destinations worldwide, as well as its drive to make
its hotels more sustainable by helping 90% of them become Travelife awarded
by 2014. This innovative ABTA-supported scheme recognises hotels that care
for the environment, employees and local communities.

In addition the commitments increase volunteering opportunities for TUI
staff - extending Project Discovery, its overseas volunteering scheme, as
well as creating more UK opportunities. Over half a million children will
also be engaged in sustainable tourism through resort-based Kids Clubs, as
well as in schools across the UK.

Christian Cull, Director of Communications, said at The Economist
Sustainable Business Summit: "TUI is committed to raising awareness and
converting that into actions, by making it easy for our customers to make
sustainable choices when holidaying abroad.

"While we have been leading the industry on sustainable travel for some
time now, these are three-year commitments which give us the long term vision
and the necessary framework to really drive change. Our hope is that where we
lead, others will follow."

The full 20 commitments are available on the Holidays Forever microsite.
Some of the key 2011 sustainable travel commitments announced include
reducing the number of holiday brochure pages TUI prints by 10% over three
years - that's 380 million fewer pages. TUI will also work with its suppliers
to reduce the carbon emissions from brochure distribution, and reduce paper
by replacing printed ticket booklets with e-ticketing. Using bespoke TUI
sustainability guidelines Thomson will achieve industry-leading environmental
standards for all First Choice Holiday Villages, Thomson Sensatori and
Thomson Couples hotels supporting these hotels to reduce their carbon and
water footprint. By investing in clean energy and energy efficiency projects
in destination countries will save more than 1 million tonnes of CO2
emissions. As well as helping the environment, these World Care Fund projects
also benefit local communities through sustainable development. Engaging with
half a million children in sustainable tourism by educating children who come
on family holidays (www.thomson.co.uk/family-holidays.html) through
Thomson Kids' Clubs, TUI will also help schools in the UK teach children how
they can make a difference on holiday.

About Thomson:

Thomson started up in 1965 with the aim of making foreign package
holidays (www.thomson.co.uk/package-holidays.html) accessible to all.
Instead of soggy trips to the seaside people began jetting off for sunshine
holidays. (www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/features/sunshine-holidays.html
)

Forty years on Thomson are still going strong with a huge collection of
holidays to choose from. Whether it's a 5-star hotel or entire beach
holidays, (www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/features/beach-holidays.html)
Thomson has a large choice.

Thomson flies from 23 UK airports - so it's easy to jet off from one
that's nearby. What's more, the customers can now tailor-make all inclusive
holidays, (www.thomson.co.uk/all-inclusive-holidays.html) with the
option of 9, 10, 11 and 12-night holidays, as well as the traditional 7 and
14 night stay.

    PR contact:

    Grace Jones
    TUI UK Ltd,
    Wigmore House
    Wigmore Lane
    Luton
    LU2 9TN

    Main Line: +44(0)845-130-0022 (Local Rate Number) 

    www.thomson.co.uk

PR contact: Grace Jones, TUI UK Ltd, Wigmore House, Wigmore Lane, Luton, LU2 9TN, Main Line: +44(0)845-130-0022 (Local Rate Number)