OJM Travel Blog

We recently had our latest dose of Crisis Management training to sharpen our skills, update our procedures, and get some practice in too.

Many thanks to the very capable Colin McGregor of Tranquilico.com

The HF (Himalayan Footsteps) holiday brochure for 2010 and beyond will be rolling out across authorised travel agents in Scotland early next year.

The Rt Hon Ken Clarke MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, was good enough to give an hour of his time to tell us about his party’s plans after the impending election, he also took questions from the audience.

Oliver contributed the following question to the discussions, “I, like other businesses here, am concerned that the tax rises after the election coupled with more unemployment to come from the public and private sector will make it difficult for businesses to hold on to employees and create jobs, would you agree that policy needs to focus on this and the motivation of pupils and school leavers.” Mr Clarke gave the best answer he could, as a politician.

Other people we had constructive talks with were representatives of Visit Scotland and members of the trade delegation to Delhi’s 2010 Commonwealth Games. It was also nice to meet other local Morningside businesses such as, Houseproud and Toys Galore.

Ken Clarke (left) with David Cameron (right)

2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations’ International Year of the Child, a great opportunity to make 2009 a year in which the issues, injustices and challenges facing young people today can be highlighted.

A chance for OJM to work with children and young people to celebrate and to facilitate new initiatives.

OJM are helping two organisations come together with the aim of educating children through a cultural exchange; Writing letters, learning about festivals, food, and singing songs. OJM setup and support the relationship between Forbes Nurserys, in Edinburgh and Rainbow Childrens Homes, in Nepal.

On the 14th November 2009 there was a Year of the Child Celebration at Duncan Place Resource Centre, Edinburgh, OJM staff members, Sakila and Josie went to support the event and raise awareness and sponsorship for children in Nepal.

Well done to the children at Forbes Nursery who put in the hard work of learning a traditional Nepali nursery rhyme and singing it so beautifully on stage!

OJM will be in London on the 11th and 12th November to meet with tour operators and travel companies from all over the world.

This is an annual event, we use it to build and maintain good relationships directly with the people and companies who will be looking after our customers, to improve services and value for our customers.

OJM welcomes the fantastic support and co-operation  from the staff and parents of Forbes Childrens Nursery, Edinburgh.

Working together we will raise more money to sponsor poor and marginalized children of Nepal.

Our Director, Oliver, met with Michael and Tharese, owners of Forbes, on Friday 11th Sept.

Money raised will go to Rainbow Childrens Home in Pokhara, Nepal.

Staff from OJM Travel will also be involved in supporting staff at Forbes to teach Nepali kids songs, cooking Nepali recepies and discussing the culture and different lifestyles of Nepal.

visit Forbes Childrens Nursery
visit Rainbow Childrens Home

OJM have partnered up with Carbon Offset Scotland (COS) to provide a genuine, local carbon offset service which takes the form of  woodland regeneration at Balmuick Farm, Perthshire, Scotland. Only 1.5 hours away from the OJM head office in Edinburgh.

We encourage our customers who offset to visit their trees being planted and see what a wonderful and sustainable project this is.

COS are considerate in their tree planting and recreate traditional woodland with trees native to the area and in turn encourage the regeneration of wildlife habitat.  They use local knowledge gained from generations of experience on the farm and expertise of tree planting partners to plant the right trees in the appropriate places.

All trees are planted in reserves and managed woodland where they will live their natural lifespan and meet their biodiversity targets.

How does planting trees offset carbon?
The trees store the carbon, thereby removing it from the atmosphere and offsetting the pollution.

What is the process?
As an example lets imagine a flight.

• For each flight, the distance and the number of kilograms of carbon emitted by the journey by the passenger are calculated.
• The carbon dioxide emission calculator is based on emission factors provided by U.K’s DEFRA for short and long haul flights. The calculations used are based on data from the U.K. Assumptions: the aircraft is fully occumpied.
• 1 tree can store 734 kg of carbon dioxide.
• 1 tree costs £8.50, the necessary amount needed for the offset is added to the price of the customer’s ticket.
• The customer receives a personalised Offset Certificate and the satisfaction they know they are fighting climate.

Over 100 countries, over 25,000 hotels to choose from, by working together we enhance our service and choice for OJM customers.

Thanks to all those who organised the excellent programmes, it was nice to talk to people who took such an interest in the Himalayas and took home our leaflets.