BUSINESS NEWS Abta Sustainable Travel Conference: Ian Taylor reports from London event


‘Policy changes dilute some firms’ eco commitment’


A dilution in policy commitments to sustainability has separated out businesses committed to transition from those acting only due to regulatory requirements, according to a leading industry consultant. Abi Duff-Walker, head of


sustainability at global law and consultancy firm DWF, told the conference: “The last 12-18 months have been dominated by a narrative of negativity in the press.” But she suggested: “The gulf


continues to grow between that and what I’m seeing, [with businesses thinking] ‘I’m not sure my supply chain is secure, and I need to do something about it’.” She argued: “As much as


Abi Duff-Walker


there is a refocus and reframing [on sustainability], there is a heightened realisation that this is about risk and resilience. It is becoming more focused on what it looks like in 10 years’ time if we don’t address sustainability.” Duff-Walker acknowledged:


“There is rollback – absolutely. There is a dilution of public policy and commitment. “It has separated out the


businesses that are committed to this and those just doing it because they were expected to.”


Tui reports enhanced collaboration with industry and governments


Sustainable travel projects are taking place on a grander scale than in the past amid enhanced collaboration as companies seek to scale initiatives. Tui Group head of


sustainability Ian Corbett (pictured) told the conference: “Ten years ago we would set up a project on our own, say in Cape Verde, in one hotel and maybe get another hotel to participate. Now we’ve just started a public-private sector project in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, on a waste management system that could be scaled up across the destination.” He said: “That is the type of


collaboration and direction we’re


moving in. That is what the sector needs to move on.” Corbett highlighted The Travel


Foundation’s current work on destination risks and “the value of cross-industry involvement with civil society and government”. He said: “It does


make it take longer,


but it’s the way to effect lasting change.”


Corbett noted “competing


frameworks” on data and certification are not helping, saying: “We need convergence because we risk duplication and complexity, and consumers want clear, simple, comparable information.”


Sustainability ‘lower on agenda’


Sustainability has “slipped down” the agenda of travel businesses, the focus has moved away from the climate to nature, and consumers have become more cynical about sustainability claims. That is according to Kasia


Morgan, head of sustainability at operator Exodus Adventure Travels, who told the Abta Sustainable Travel Conference in London last week: “Sustainability has definitely slipped down the agenda, particularly in America.” She said the situation facing


tour operators was “ever changing, ever more unpredictable”, arguing sustainability regulation had also fallen down the agenda although “some regulation, such as greenwashing regulation, has helped”. Morgan suggested: “There has been some loss of ambition


travelweekly.co.uk


and momentum because we’ve seen how difficult it is to drive this [sustainability]. We’ve lost some of the innocence and ambition we had. “Conversations in the industry


have changed. When we came out of Covid, we were focused on the climate emergency. “There has perhaps been a


realisation we were too focused on that – there is more focus on nature and biodiversity [now]. Lots of customers are interested in nature, and our sector has a big role to play.” But she added: “I fear we


might have come full circle and lost our focus on climate and decarbonisation, and we need to pull that from under the rug. It would be great to see the industry re-engage [on decarbonisation].” Morgan reported a recent


consumer survey by Exodus which


showed “more cynicism toward companies’ sustainability claims” than two years ago, saying: “There is no more willingness to choose or to pay for more-sustainable options, but customers expect it [sustainability].” She described customer


behaviour change as “an underrated area” but said: “There are things we can do regarding customer behaviour – influence is key. We’ve learnt we need to build sustainability in and do it by stealth.” Morgan acknowledged: “This


is a topic that has moved down the agenda in my own business.” She told the conference: “There is


tension and contradictions between sustainability and the commercial goals of an organisation, and you need to be comfortable with both. It has never been more important to reframe what we’re talking


Kasia Morgan


about and speak the language of our peers in the boardroom.” Yet she insisted: “We need to


be dissatisfied with our progress. By next year, I hope we can drive the agenda forward.”


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