Major Travel Industry Debate With Born Free At the RGS
Added: (Thu Feb 18 2010)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Look at Animals with a Different View
Today’s travellers increasingly come into contact with wild animals – on safari, at the zoo or as ‘props’ for tourist photos. 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? Whether you’re planning a trip abroad, booking your summer holiday or you work in tourism, international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation invites you to explore, discuss and debate the impact of the travel industry on our natural world.
Look at Animals with a Different View
Evening of Talks
7pm, doors open 6pm; cash bar before & after
Thurs 18th March 2010
Ondaatje Theatre, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Exhibition Road, London SW7
Born Free Founder Virginia McKenna OBE and investigative reporter Donal MacIntyre are joined by special guests and leading travel industry decision-makers (see overleaf). An enlightening, entertaining and challenging discussion about tourism’s impact on wild animals. Includes Question and Answers; plus the chance to visit our exhibition.
Tickets: £12.50
Look at Animals with a Different View
Exhibition
10am-5pm
15th–19th March 2010
The Pavilion, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
Exhibition Road, London SW7
How do our holidays affect the lives of wild animals? Can tourism actually help protect natural environments? Discover how animal exploitation or poor conditions can ruin a holiday. See 25 years of Born Free in action. Find out how our Traveller’s Animal Alert project responds to public concerns, investigates neglect and stops suffering.
Free admission
Guests include:
Dermot Blastland - Managing Director of TUI Travel Plc UK and Ireland, the leading
international travel leisure group. “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.”
Simon Calder – Travel Editor of The Independent, Simon is a TV and radio presenter
regularly broadcasting on the BBC, plus GMTV, This Morning and LBC’s Simon Calder’s
Travel Clinic.
Donal MacIntyre – a renowned investigative reporter, Donal has worked for ITV and
the BBC and won awards for his outstanding, often dangerous work. He travels the
world, reports on war zones and animal welfare, and starred in Dancing on Ice !
Virginia McKenna OBE – Born Free’s Co-Founder, Trustee and renowned actress,
best-known with her husband Bill Travers for their roles in Born Free. The inspirational
true story of Elsa the lioness sparked her lifelong commitment to wildlife.
Ian Redmond OBE – our senior consultant, an eminent field biologist renowned for
work with gorillas and elephants. Ian travels the world working with local people to
protect endangered wildlife and leading specialist wildlife holidays.
Chris Thompson - Travelife Sustainability Manager at ABTA1, Chris has worked in
the travel industry since 1992 and was Highly Commended in the ‘Best Personal
Contribution’ section of the prestigious Virgin Responsible Travel Awards 2009.
Will Travers (via video link) – Born Free CEO, Will has dedicated his life to wildlife.
He is CEO of Born Free USA, President of the Species Survival Network and an RGS Fellow.
Reporting from CITES2, Will brings hot news on how the tourist trade is affecting rare wildlife.
Daniel Turner – Senior Operations Officer Europe for Born Free’s Zoo Check team.
Daniel campaigns to improve standards for captive wild animals, lobbies EU policymakers
and advises the travel industry on animal welfare.
Patrick Woodhead – a professional explorer and travel writer, Patrick was part of
the fastest team to reach the South Pole, has traversed Antarctica, ascended
unclimbed mountains and kayaked uncharted rivers. He leads tours for White Desert.
All speakers kindly give their support to Born Free. Their availability on the night is subject to professional commitments. We regret that under no circumstances, other than cancellation of the event, can money be refunded.
To book your tickets for the ‘Look at Animals with a Different View’ evening of talks please contact Joanne Bartholomew at Born Free on 01403 240170 or joanne@bornfree.org.uk or visit www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/events/born-free-at-the-rgs/
FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT BORN FREE'S PR DEPARTMENT:
Shirley Galligan, PR Director T: 0207 792 9668 M: 07773 848352
Kate Chapman, PR Officer T: 01403 240170 M: 07920 195512
Notes to Editors:
About Born Free
The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.
Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict. Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results. Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk