BUSINESS NEWS industry figures debate sustainability, emissions reporting and hotel guest behaviour. Ian Taylor reports


UNWTO urges sector to show ‘higher ambition’


The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have called on industry players to act urgently to reduce emissions, warning that “very little” has been done to date. Dirk Glaesser, UNWTO director


for the sustainable development of tourism, reported travel and tourism emissions “will increase by 25% by 2030” compared with 2016 and called for “higher ambition” from the industry and governments. Speaking on an Abta


Decarbonising Tourism webinar, Glaesser said: “We analysed more than 100 government tourism policies and 100% spoke about sustainability, but only 42% committed resources and only 27% had real instruments for calculating emissions. “So far this has been talked about,


but very little has been implemented. “Still the dominant form of


monitoring is of the economic impact of tourism. What is


Glaesser argued: “You need to


start to measure. If you don’t you won’t be able to guide your efforts and monitor your progress.” Speaking on the same webinar,


WTTC roadmap


WTTC director of sustainability Christopher Imbsen said: “Climate targets vary enormously. Of the businesses we analysed, 42% had targets but only 20% were science- based. Targets differ on baselines. There is huge variety in how they are measured. Inconsistent reporting and measurement is not helpful. There is a clear need for more transparency. “We call on businesses to set


shocking is only one in 10 national tourism associations were bringing information on the wider impact of tourism to the attention of stakeholders.” The UNWTO also surveyed


more than 1,100 travel and tourism organisations and found “only 28% have a climate action plan [and] only 27% measure emissions related to tourism”.


‘Guest behaviour undermines hotels’ sustainability efforts’


Holidaymakers’ behaviour is proving “a big challenge” to industry efforts to reduce environmental impacts in overseas accommodation. That is according to Carolyn Wincer, commercial


director of Travelife, the Abta-owned sustainability certification programme for hotels. Speaking on an Abta Decarbonising Tourism


webinar, Wincer highlighted “the good news” that “it doesn’t require big things to provide quick wins” in cutting hotels’ energy and water use and waste. But Wincer said: “The not-so-good news is guest


travelweekly.co.uk


baselines and targets now. Make these as ambitious as possible and align with industry targets. Support your partners and supply chains, especially SMEs. Provide investment and finance for transition, and raise awareness in organisations and in nudging customers.” The WTTC launched a Net


Zero Roadmap for travel by 2050 last week, which includes targets businesses should aim for.


behaviour varies widely and can have a major impact. It is a big challenge for hotels to improve because of the vast range of expectations of international guests. It’s possible guests undo the work.” She reported that in hotels with power in rooms


activated by key cards: “Lots of guests override the controls and leave electricity on the whole time. They change the air conditioning to really cold or warm, then open the balcony doors and haemorrhage energy. “They expect welcome fruit baskets and disposable


slippers. Also there is the volume of waste guests leave in rooms, particularly in beach destinations.” Wincer argued: “This can only change through


education. Travel companies and governments can help. We would like the industry to target travellers before they leave the UK.”


Alistair Pritchard


Abta and Deloitte to help members make changes


Abta and management services firm Deloitte are to collaborate on helping the industry reduce emissions and address the impacts of climate change. The partnership, launched at


Abta’s Decarbonising Tourism event last week, will see Abta and Deloitte “engage with senior business leaders on decarbonisation over the coming year”, according to Abta head of sustainability Clare Jenkinson. In a statement, Abta said


the pair would collaborate “on a range of activities that will help Abta members understand climate change and how their businesses can deliver meaningful change”, including “what decarbonisation looks like for hotels, aviation, cruise, ground transport and destinations”. Abta chief executive Mark


Tanzer said: “Climate change is a global threat and the industry has an important role to play. “We’ve seen some good


progress in recent years, but that work needs to be scaled up as a matter of urgency. “ Alistair Pritchard, Deloitte


lead partner for travel and aviation, said: “We hope we’ll be able to support Abta members understand and tackle the transformative changes businesses need to undertake.”


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