Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada’s holiday travel leader, is launching a program to support sustainable-tourism projects. This initiative is meant mainly for not-for-profit organizations that need financial support to develop projects with a sustainable-tourism approach, such as protecting or enhancing a natural or heritage site for tourism purposes while respecting local populations and the environment.

“With this initiative, we are expanding the scope of our philanthropic efforts because we want to help increase awareness of the importance of conservation among the general public and the tourism community,” said Jean-Marc Eustache, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transat.

Organizations have until this coming May 18 to submit proposals that are eligible for financial support of up to $50,000 per project. Applications will then be reviewed and their merit established by a committee composed of Transat staff members. Proposals can, for example, focus on restoration, protection or development of a natural site or ecosystem, environmental enhancement or rehabilitation of an existing tourist site, or restoration or development of a heritage or historic site or building, with a view to preserving it.

Projects must have the potential of increasing a community’s tourism possibilities, be clearly part of a sustainable-tourism approach and be not-for-profit in nature. Details of the program can be found on Transat’s website (www.transat.com) in the “Philanthropy” section under “About Transat.”

Every year Transat A.T. Inc. — either with its own funds or with the help of its employees — devotes significant efforts to supporting humanitarian causes or communities.

Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, destination services and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A).