Intrepid Travel and Eurostar are championing rail travel as a sustainable alternative to flying, urging travel agents to embrace this low-carbon option for their clients.
- Ahead of the Atas Experiences event in Italy, Intrepid and Eurostar demonstrated the feasibility of rail travel to fourteen travel agents, promoting shorter carbon footprints.
- The ‘slow travel’ approach showcased by Eurostar and Intrepid allowed agents to experience a less stressful yet rich journey from London to Italy via key European cities.
- Notable spokespersons, including Carrie Grant and Stephen Roby, highlighted the environmental benefits of rail travel, emphasising its renaissance amid growing environmental consciousness.
- Travel agents, having experienced the journey, noted the comfort, reduced stress, and newfound ability to recommend rail options confidently to their clients.
In an initiative to promote sustainable tourism, Intrepid Travel and Eurostar are actively encouraging travel agents to recommend rail travel as a viable alternative to flying, due to its considerably smaller carbon footprint. The effort is part of a broader movement towards making travel both environmentally conscious and enjoyable.
Recently, a group of fourteen travel agents participated in a journey curated by Intrepid and Eurostar, encompassing travel from London to Italy without the need for airports. This itinerary was designed to highlight ‘slow travel’ benefits, incorporating scenic train routes from St Pancras to Paris, and onwards to Zurich and Como, thus embedding travel into the adventure itself.
Carrie Grant, Intrepid Travel’s UK & Ireland senior partnerships manager, underlined the significance of this approach, stressing that travellers can experience much within a short timeframe, all the while avoiding the inherent stresses associated with air travel. According to Grant, the initiative is not only about reducing carbon footprints but also about making the travel experience part of the journey’s charm. She also mentioned that Intrepid can customise rail tours for agents, combining leisure and guided activities.
Stephen Roby, Eurostar’s UK leisure sales manager, reinforced the environmental advantages of rail travel, noting that, on average, travelling by train generates 95% less carbon emissions compared to flying. Eurostar is keen on ensuring rail becomes an integral part of the holiday experience, especially as environmental awareness grows among travellers. The company has plans to introduce more agent-focused day trips to cities like Brussels, Lille, and Paris.
The success of this rail adventure was further supported by testimonials from the participating agents. Rebecca Berzins from Travel Counsellors praised the comfort and feasibility of such travel planning within limited time frames. Dan Bartholomew Oates from Travelosophers expressed that his clients viewed this as a near bucket-list experience. Julie Crumpton of Silver Travel Advisor commended the enthusiasm of Intrepid’s guides, and Rachel Wilcox acknowledged her newfound confidence in guiding group trips after this experience.
The collaboration between Intrepid and Eurostar exemplifies a progressive step towards incorporating sustainable rail travel into mainstream tourism, making it an appealing, low-impact choice for future travellers.
