Transat A.T. Inc., one of the world’s largest tour operators and Canada’s holiday travel leader, has received a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of its efforts in sustainable development. The award was presented yesterday in London by World Travel Market Chair Fiona Jeffery, who was accompanied by David McClung, President of Canadian Travel Press, and Jeff Cacy, Boeing Company’s Managing Director, Airline Marketing Services. Michel Lemay, Transat’s Vice-President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, accepted the award and said: “Much remains to be done, but this prestigious award is remarkable recognition for our teams and encouragement to continue.”

Transat strives to become one of the most responsible companies in its industry and has significantly intensified its efforts since 2007. In the area of co-operation with destinations, for example, it has set up a program to support job-creating, sustainable tourism projects based on protection of heritage or ecosystems. Up to now, this program represents financial commitments of nearly $500,000 in eight countries. The company is also partnering with SOS Children’s Villages, which provides homes for orphans and abandoned children in 132 countries. And in September, Transat also announced it would partner with Beyond Borders, a Canadian organization, in the fight against sex tourism involving children. In October, some 250 Transat employees received training on this issue.

In addition, Transat has introduced numerous environmental measures for reducing, re-using and recycling waste across all its business units. Air Transat stands apart with, among others, a certification project and a rigorous fuel management program. Transat has also implemented an ambitious program to encourage its partners and suppliers, in particular hotels, to adopt best practices.

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, accommodation and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)