Environmental

New research released today by Expedia Group Media Solutions reveals that although 90% of consumers look for sustainable options when booking, 70% feel overwhelmed with navigating options and making the best choices to be a more sustainable traveler.

Travel fell sharply during the COVID – 19 pandemic – airline revenues dropped by 60 percent in 2020, and air travel and tourism are not expected to return to 2019 levels before 2024. While this downturn is worrisome, it is likely to be temporary. McKinsey’s latest survey of more than 5,500 air travelers around the world shows that the aviation industry faces an even bigger challenge: sustainability.

Given the unprecedented issues that the hospitality industry has been facing in the era of COVID-19, there has been concern that much of the recent progress made in improving sustainability performance would be lost. However, participants in the roundtable reported that although some areas have been affected, there is still robust and meaningful work being accomplished, from the tactical work at the unit level, to the evolving corporate strategies of global brands.

Caravan tourism is already well-established in countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North America and Europe and has been one of the quickest to recover after the pandemic. Caravan holidays, for instance, contribute GBP 9.3 billion to the British economy every year, employing over 130,000 people.

Green hotel construction has been gaining traction globally in recent years as hotel companies strive to achieve their sustainability objectives. A similar trend is visible in India as well, but the acceptance is still slow compared to other nations.

There are many small changes that hotel companies can implement that can make a big difference in terms of being more sustainable. HSMAI’s Rising Sales Leader Council (RSLC) discussed how their hotels are promoting sustainability on a recent call. Here are a few of their best ideas for how hotels can be more sustainable – and why it’s important.

Post-pandemic policies fail to meet investor and employee demand for greener travel, Emburse research reveals

Water bottles, disposable toiletries, plastic bags, bin liners, food packaging and cups are among the biggest plastic polluters – Rethinking single-use plastic products requires collaboration from all stakeholders

These case studies are designed to help other Travel & Tourism businesses further develop their own sustainability endeavors drawing on these best practices.

A new paper revealed how the hotel industry can tackle the net zero carbon challenge and save £millions in the process.