NEWS sustainability and workplace myths. Juliet Dennis and Ian Taylor report from Costa Navarino, Greece


‘Put nature on the balance sheet’ to transform travel


T


Linden Coppell


ravel companies have been urged to “put nature on the balance sheet” by a former president of the National Farmers’ Union. Speaking on a panel, Minette Batters urged


firms to make bold decisions on sustainability and ensure it is core to their entire business to bring about change. She said: “What businesses need is a single metric; we


have to have a new structure for sustainability that puts nature on the balance sheet.” Batters also called for the middle layer of government,


from civil servants to scientists, to “step up”, not just in the UK but globally, to provide leadership on the issue of sustainability. “There is a pressing need for businesses to have the machinery of government step up,” she said. EasyJet holidays and MSC Cruises both said they were


already embracing sustainability from the top down. Chief operating officer Matt Callaghan said easyJet


holidays’ focus was as much on environmental, social and governance (ESG) as on areas such as customer engagement. “Our sustainability team is 350 people,” he said. “We democratise our approach to ESG; we are very clear on the involvement we need from all people in our business. “It’s important to us that our people love to work for us.


Increasingly, we are seeing that the stance we take on ESG sets us apart from other companies in the war on talent.” Callaghan admitted some changes were not easy, citing the company’s animal welfare policy, introduced this year,


s of easyJet holidays


[easyJet] network, the flight frequencies and cost base” and led to a realisation: “We just need two things – great partner hotels and Garry Wilson.” Wilson was recruited from Tui, where he was commercial managing director. He joined in November 2018. Lundgren noted: “There was a lot of


scepticism when we launched, and then we had Covid.” The operator is now the fourth- largest Atol holder, licensed to carry more than three million package holidaymakers. Lundgren added: “We can convert more


easyJet customers and draw customers from outside [easyJet].”


Minette Batters


which commits to only offering experiences that do not threaten the welfare or conservation of animals. “I’d be lying if I said everyone was on board,” he said, but added its success was demonstrated by a competitor following suit. “Bold decisions by companies like ours can drive


change in the industry,” Callaghan insisted. Linden Coppell, vice-president of sustainability and


ESG at MSC Cruises, agreed: “We are having to educate at board level and we are looking at all areas that are fundamental to the business.” Coppell said there was a growing awareness among


consumers of the need to be responsible, but it was up to companies to take action.


Abta’s Travel Convention set to return to Majorca in 2025


The 2025 Travel Convention will be held from October 6-8 in Calvià, Majorca, at the recently renovated Calvia Beach Resort. Majorca is the only destination


to have hosted Abta’s Travel Convention in every decade since the 1970s. Speaking at the conclusion of


this year’s convention, Manuel Butler, UK director of the Spanish Tourist Office, said: “We are delighted to host the most important travel convention worldwide back in Spain.”


travelweekly.co.uk Calvià is located in the


southwest of the island, between the Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, and has seen “significant investment” over the past decade, including the ongoing


Calvià, Majorca


redevelopment of the seafront in Magaluf. Delegates will stay at the Melia Calvia Beach hotel and the neighbouring Melia South Beach hotel, located 30 minutes from Palma airport. Abta chief executive Mark


Tanzer said: “With its rich and evolving tourism offering and high popularity among UK holidaymakers, Majorca is an incredibly important destination for the UK travel trade.” Registration is due to open in


spring next year. 17 OCTOBER 2024 11


PICTURES: AG Studios; Shutterstock/Video Media Studio Europe


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