The TreadRight Foundation Highlights Travel’s Role in Empowering Local Food Producers in New Short Film Featuring ‘Planet’ Ambassador, Céline Cousteau

Supporting local suppliers plays a vital role in the sustainability of our planet

 

 

Cypress, Calif.– September 14, 2020 – The TreadRight Foundation, The Travel Corporation’s not-for-profit, has released another short film featuring its ‘Planet’ Ambassador, filmmaker and environmentalist, Céline Cousteau, speaking to the critical role travel plays in empowering local food producers and communities. At a time when it’s clear that the balance between people and the planet has been lost, the film follows Cousteau as she rediscovers her roots in France and meets local producers dedicated to living in harmony with the land that nourishes all people. During this time of physical distancing and sheltering in place, people around the world have been focused on shopping locally and sustainably. TreadRight and Céline wish to encourage this as an ongoing practice for travelers as the world begins to slowly re-open again. The video can be found on TreadRight’s YouTube channel here.

 

A deep respect for the planet has been ingrained in Céline’s life since childhood and is the foundation of her career. “As a filmmaker, I look for connections between people and the planet, and this pause has allowed me to unearth some of those stories in my own backyard,” says Céline Cousteau. The film follows Céline through France’s Alpilles, not too far from her childhood home, and features Moulin du Calanquet – an olive oil mill owned and operated by fifth-generation siblings of the Brun family, a beautiful example of the link between tourism and sustainable food production.

 

Guided by TreadRight, The Travel Corporation (TTC) and its 40 brands continuously work to connect guests with local and authentic dining experiences that support destinations and their local economies. Farm-to-Table experiences are one way TTC’s brands are building connections between guests, hosts, and the planet. Available across its various brand itineraries, Farm-to-Table meals feature a fresh selection of ingredients and wine sourced from each trip’s regional farmers and growers. Examples include Insight Vacations’ Heskyn Mill Farm-to-Table dinner, featured on its 10-day Best of Britain journey, and Contiki’s Hosanna Farm Visit, included on a number of its Australian trips. Additionally, guests traveling with Luxury Gold can visit Moulin du Calanquet, featured in the short film, on select itineraries to learn about the history of the unique olive oil mill, the process of olive oil production, and proper tasting techniques.

 

“The COVID-19 pause on travel has provided us with a natural reset, and in many places around the world, we have seen the positive environmental impacts, says Shannon Guihan, Chief TreadRight and Sustainability Officer. “This has allowed us to reflect on how to keep this momentum going forward, particularly in the travel industry. Thinking more consciously about all of our choices, from the day-to-day like which local producers we support, to bigger decisions like which companies we travel with such as The Travel Corporation, can make a considerable difference,” Guihan added.

 

Learn more about TreadRight and TTC’s sustainability initiatives at TreadRight.org/Planet.

 

 

About The TreadRight Foundation:

TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight sets the direction on sustainability for 40 award-winning brands, in addition to overseeing our TreadRight Foundation. The organization’s singular mission is to #MakeTravelMatter through brand operations, and by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 55+ sustainable tourism projects in 280+ communities worldwide, based on priorities set by the TreadRight Steering Committee. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid and The National Trust in the UK, while current initiatives include WE.org, Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, Wilderness Foundation Africa and Wildlife SOS. TreadRight also works with inspiring ambassadors who have a passion for sustainable travel, to support its voice within the sustainable travel community. These ambassadors include Céline Cousteau (‘Planet’ Ambassador), Sarain Fox (‘People’ Ambassador), Ami Vitale (‘Wildlife’ Ambassador) and Costas Christ. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit TreadRight.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter.

 

 

About Céline Cousteau:

A leading environmentalist, explorer, and documentary filmmaker, Céline has traveled the world working to help amplify the voices of the amazing individuals who are working to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and people.  Céline’s life of global travel has seen her embark on expeditions to track the grey whale migration from Mexico to Alaska, research shark species in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and bring the stories of the Amazon Rainforest’s indigenous cultures to our backyards. Céline Cousteau is founder and executive director of CauseCentric Productions, creating cause focused multi-media content such as “Tribes on the Edge.” Extending this expertise, Céline is co-founder of The Céline Cousteau Film Fellowship launched in 2015 – a nonprofit program whose mission is to empower young aspiring filmmakers, creatives, and activists to inspire change through filmmaking. Céline is a passionate spokesperson for sustainability. As the daughter of ocean explorer and filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau and granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Yves Cousteau, Céline also has a profound understanding of the importance of legacy and the necessity to experience the world in a way that ensures future generations will have the opportunity to do the same.