Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Travel Agent Takes On United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

by Jessica Montevago / September 05, 2018
Travel Agent Takes On United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The travel industry can do so much to help transform our world for the better and this agent is making it happen.


Sofia Markovich of Sofia’s Travel, LLC, is using the tools that have made her a successful travel advisor and agency owner to do something she says she feels committed to on both a personal and professional level: Helping the United Nations achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are aimed at transforming our world.

It might seem like an ambitious task, but having traveled to over 100 countries across all seven continents, Markovich believed it was imperative to raise awareness of the global issues that are impacting those places.

Sofia Markovich
Sofia Markovich of Sofia’s Travel, LLC

The 17 global goals set by the United Nations Development Program vary from “No Poverty” (goal #1) and “Zero Hunger” (goal #2) to “Gender Equality” (goal #5) and “Climate Action” (goal #13). But, where Markovich thought she could make the biggest difference was “Partnerships to Achieve the Goal” (goal #17).

“In my business, I’m all about partnership and trust and loyalty,” said Sofia Markovich of Sofia’s Travel, LLC, which just celebrated its fifth year in business. “So, I thought, how do I take partnerships to the next level? What is my sphere of influence? And it’s the travel industry.”

Leveraging the connections she has made over the years, Markovich is reaching out to suppliers – many of whom already have some sort of sustainability policy, she notes – and connecting them to the UN’s Global Goals to be a local leader, with the purpose of achieving the goals by the 2030 deadline.

“We want to spread the word to the tourism industry,” Markovich told Travel Market Report. “I’m trying to connect the pieces. I know everybody is helping the environment in some form or way, and I’m trying to connect the dots.”

According to goal #17, in order to accomplish the global partnership for sustainable development, “the collection of data and monitoring and accountability are crucial.”

Suppliers have been eager to contribute and be cooperative so far, Markovich said, having already connected with World Vision, Lindblad Expeditions, Royal Caribbean International, and The Travel Corporation. Royal Caribbean was one of several travel organizations to eliminate plastic; and the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund aims to protect the places it explores through conservation, research, education, and community development. The Travel Corporation operates the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit working to encourage sustainable tourism development.

She is now reaching out to other companies and hopes to add more partners.

Markovich has been involved with the United Nations Association’s Greater Birmingham, Alabama Chapter for almost five years, and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2017.

“Being involved [in my local chapter], I became aware of the issues, but it really kicked in for me when I was at UN headquarters for the Global Summit in February. All the associations come together to discuss how are we moving forward and so on. It really brought out that passion in me.”

From there, she has made it her mission to connect as much of the travel industry together. “Tourism is such a big part of that, and every time you travel, you are supporting these global initiatives impacting both our local and international communities.”

On the UN’s SDG scorecard, the progress on climate change currently has received an F grade, being too far from meeting climate targets and the levels of emissions reductions needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.

But, Markovich isn’t giving up. “I feel hopeful and excited that people are doing something."

  1
  0
Related Articles
7 Reasons Why Small Ship Sailings Lead to Unforgettable Experiences
Why You Should Use a Travel Agent, Now More than Ever
Travel Agent New to the Industry is Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream
Travel Advisors Make the Best Couples... and Business Partners
A Million a Month in Sales: Elliot Finkelman Shares His Formula for Travel Success
Why Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent
Survey Shows That Vacation Guilt May Be on the Decline
Travel Agents Continue to Dominate Cruise and Tour Sales
The Real Secrets About Travel Agents That Travelers Don’t Know
How Ready Are You to Help a Cruise Client Medevac?

MOST VIEWED

  1. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  2. Two of Germany’s Busiest Airports Will Be Closed on Monday
  3. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  4. Government of Canada Updates Its Mexico Travel Advisory
  5. Royal Caribbean Eliminates Sky Pad Experience
  6. A Massive Sargassum 'Blob' Could Heavily Impact Florida Beaches this Summer

MOST EMAILED

  1. U.S. State Department Warns of 4-Month Delays for Passport Renewal
  2. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  3. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  4. U.S. Passport Renewal Processing Time Now 8 to 11 Weeks
  5. European Union Delays Launch of ETIAS Until At Least 2024
  6. Travelers Believe That Working With Advisors Is Only Way to Get a True Luxury Experience
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Collette Promotes Vice President of U.S. Sales
Collette Promotes Vice President of U.S. Sales

David Cook is Collette's new VP of U.S. sales, effective immediately. 

Read...
TMR TV: Apple Leisure Group Vacations Executive Roundtable Discussion from Cancun

Travel Market Report hosted an exclusive ALGV Executive Roundtable Discussion from Cancun Mexico on Wednesday, February 24th.

Read...
When You’re Ready, We’re Ready

Here's to traveling at your own speed. When you're ready, we're ready with clean, sanitized vehicles and a low-touch rental process.

Read...
ALG Vacations | Ready. Set. Go.
Read...
Valerie Wilson Travel Adds Vagabond Travel as New Affiliate Agency
Valerie Wilson Travel Adds Vagabond Travel as New Affiliate Agency

The New Jersey-based Virtuoso agency is the latest to become affiliates of Valerie Wilson Travel. 

Read...
Allianz Partners USA Promotes Elena Edwards to CEO
Allianz Partners USA Promotes Elena Edwards to CEO

Edwards succeeds Michael Nelson, who has left the company in order to accept another opportunity.

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/BDz_-mzUmZA/0.jpg
Meet South Africa with Your Local Guides
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Well-Being Travel |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy