Tour operators often influence the choices of consumers, practices of suppliers and the development within destinations. Through their unique position they can make an important contribution to promote sustainable development and protect environmental and cultural resources. Global warming, climate change and poverty reduction are now major considerations when consumers make choices, but the challenge of how to minimise the environmental and social impact of their overseas holidays can present real difficulties. Tourism is about people and places, and the relationships between them. They are the products that we all travel to enjoy and we must look after them if we, and future generations, are to continue to enjoy them. The Travelife Sustainability Store has been set up to help suppliers of holiday components, such as hotels, excursions and transportation, address these issues in the most sustainable way they can. By using a system of handbooks, checklists and audits, suppliers can work towards lightening the environmental and social responsibilities their businesses may be answerable for. And by introducing an award scheme linked to these initiatives, we can recognise the suppliers who are working hardest to achieve these goals.   The Travelife Collection is a unique online tool providing access to a growing number of Hotels with superb green credentials. Take a look at our website and choose a property that will comply with your sustainability morality.   The Travelife awards are an internationally recognised award scheme for hotels and other tourism business partners who attain high standards of environmental management. Tourism businesses that wish to take part in this process are independently audited and are classified according to their performance. Top performers are rewarded with a Travelife logo. Customers can now begin to look for the Travelife Bronze, Silver and Gold Award logos in holiday, hotel and tourist service brochures and websites. In this way, customers who wish to address the challenge of how to minimise the impacts of their overseas holiday, gain more information about the holiday products upon which to base their purchasing decision. “Travelife Bronze” businesses have policies in place which actively reduce their environmental impacts and treat people in a fair and respectful way. “Travelife Silver” – going further than the bronze, these businesses seek ways to actively benefit the local community and environment. “Travelife Gold” businesses display advanced sustainability actions. They encourage others to be involved, seek continual improvements and actively communicate their progress. Travelife is supported by major European Tour Operator Associations and their members including the UK Federation of Tour Operators (FTO), the Dutch Association of Travel Agents Tour Operators ANVR and the German Forumandersreisen FAR. Some of the Tour Operators belonging to these associations are already using the above logos on their websites and in their brochures. The Travelife scheme has earned wide appeal within the travel industry and a growing number of European tour operator associations are promoting it to their members to help with their supply chain management. Travelife awards are to appear first in brochures and websites of many leading British tour operators, and the Dutch, German, Belgian and Italian markets are also expected to feature them soon after.