Leading tour operators and travel organisations today launched a new charity to encourage holidaymakers to help the communities they visit.

Backed by the government and environmental groups, The Travel Foundation hopes that by 2006 it will be raising £1million a year to promote sustainable tourism projects around the globe. A number of big holiday companies have already made corporate donations and there are various schemes to get British package tourists to contribute as well.

For example, from next month's summer brochures, First Choice will be asking customers to make a voluntary donation to the charity of 10p per adult and 5p per child.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said the new charity was "a world-leading initiative which will enable British travellers to make a difference to millions of lives around the globe".

The foundation was officially launched today at the annual convention of the Assocation of British Travel Agents in Palma, Majorca. Speaking in Palma, Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said: "The work of the foundation will be good for consumers, good for businesses and good for destinations. I am confident that the charity will help to change the impact of UK outbound tourism."

Sue Hurdle, director of The Travel Foundation, said it would raise funds to "care for places we love".

Leading environmentalist Jonathan Porritt said: "It's inspiring to see British travel companies taking responsibility for helping countries and communities they deal with. Every traveller now has the opportunity to create real change by giving small change."