CONVENTIONThe Travel Convention 2022: Sustainability was a key theme of sessions
‘The UK could be a world leader in developing SAF’
G
Carol Rose
overnments “will clamp down” on aviation if the industry does not reduce its carbon
emissions, but the sector needs government support to switch to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). That is according to Airlines UK
chief executive Tim Alderslade, who said: “Without SAF we won’t get to net zero by 2050.” Alderslade noted aviation
accounts for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions at present but said that “as other sectors decrease [CO2 emissions], we will increase proportionally”. He warned: “Aviation gets a lot of media attention and governments will start to clamp down if we don’t get on top of this.” Yet he suggested airlines’
sustainability commitments “really Tim Alderslade
Thornton: Travel must seek rapid decarbonisation
The boss of Intrepid Travel told industry leaders they must urgently shift to “rapid decarbonisation” to help avert climate disaster. James Thornton, chief
executive of the adventure tour operator, warned delegates that travel and tourism is “in the front seat of climate disaster”. “What we do now and the
tools we adopt will shape our future,” he said. “We need rapid and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society as soon as possible. There is no vaccine for climate change.” He said Intrepid is the largest
shone through” during the pandemic, arguing: “Despite losing tens of billions of pounds, airlines were saying, ‘We’ll return to normal but we’ll get shut down by government if we don’t commit to net zero’.” Alderslade insisted: “There
are possibilities for the UK to be a world leader on SAF. But we’re not going to be unless the government provides incentives. “The problem with SAF is there is
no market price and no SAF industry in the UK. We need price incentives.” He said “the jury is still out”
on the new government’s level of commitment to action on climate change. “SAF could mean thousands of jobs on Humberside, on Teesside and in South Wales, with a huge potential for export,” he added. “Our
Abta teams up with Deloitte
on Climate Action Guidebook Abta and professional services group Deloitte launched an industry guide to action on decarbonisation. The Climate Action Guidebook outlines how travel and tourism businesses can become more sustainable. Abta senior sustainability manager Carol Rose unveiled the guide and Deloitte lead partner for travel and aviation Alistair Pritchard outlined its contents.
18 20 OCTOBER 2022
argument needs to be couched in terms of growth.” Abta director of industry relations
Susan Deer agreed but argued: “Decarbonisation is not just about transport but looking at the whole supply chain. And when we talk about action on sustainability, it’s not just about decarbonisation, it’s also about communities.” She acknowledged “smaller businesses find the whole thing overwhelming”. EasyJet holidays customer and
operations director Matt Callaghan denied there was a conflict between “cheap holidays” and sustainable trips and said: “We’re trying to make sustainability mainstream. “Sustainable choices are becoming
more important to consumers and the big players need to step up.”
Report shows rise in consumers safeguarding their bookings
Consumers are changing long-held habits and increasingly taking steps to ensure they protect their holiday bookings, according to Abta’s Holiday Habits report. The research, carried out among 2,000 people, found that many now proactively buy a travel insurance policy or make sure they book with an Abta member.
travel B-Corp company, which means its social performance is assessed for the highest standards, and it took the lead on being carbon-neutral in 2010. But he added: “[Our
industry] needs to shift urgently to rapid decarbonisation. Signing up to science-based targets is the most important way to embark on the journey.” He said 72 tourism and
hospitality companies had committed to carbon emission science-based targets but only 29 had approved them. “We need concrete actions
and need them now; otherwise it is just greenwashing and I see a lot of that in the industry.”
Hawke urges agents to shift
focus to higher-value bookings The chief executive of Cosmos Tours urged travel agents to focus on selling high-value, more-complex holidays rather than cheap, simple packages. Giles Hawke told delegates: “Selling a volume of £500-£600 holidays, you are on a hiding to nothing. Sell high-value, with more than one or two elements attached – add value with your knowledge.”
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES: Arif Gardner/AG Studios
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