Sustainability Management

for Tour Operators

February 27h

The Hague

Naut Kusters

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Content

1. Sustainable tourism: definitions and principles

2. The market perspective: consumers & b2b

3. What can you, as a tour operator, do?

4. How will CBI support you?

Sustainable tourism

World Tourism Organisation, 1988

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Sustainable Tourism meets the needs of the present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing the opportunity for the future.

It is leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.

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Sustainable Tourism - 12 Aims

UN-WTO, Making Tourism More Sustainable, 2007

Economic viability Local prosperity Employment quality Social equityVisitor fulfilment Local controlCommunity wellbeing Cultural richness Physical integrity Biological diversity Resource efficiency Environmental purity

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Sustainable Tourism

Is not a niche market

All tourism types and products can and should become sustainable!

Ecotourism

Community Based Tourism

Sun and beach tourism

Cultural tourism

Nature tourism

Rural tourism

Sustainabletourism

It is more than visiting nature…

UN definition (2002)

• Takes place in natural areas • Sustainable (environment, cultural, social) • Benefits for local communities • Information and Interpretation to visitors

Ecotourism

It is more than visiting communities:

Community Based Tourism (CBT)

DefinitionCBT is tourism managed and owned by the community; supporting environmental, social, and cultural sustainability; provides economic opportunities for local people and enables visitors to learn about the community and local ways of life.

The responsibility of a company towards it’s stakeholders (society at large, employees, clients, community, environment etc.)

ISO 26000 CSR Themes

• Human rights• Labour practices• Environment• Fair operating practices• Consumer protection• Community involvement and development

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

2. The market perspective

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Consumer trends

In European countries 3-10 serious consumer studies were conducted between 1995 and 2013

.... they provide a clear and growing trend

Consumer awareness • 87 % of the British (2002) find it very or fairly important that

holiday does not damage the environment.

• 71 % of British consumers would like to benefit local communities

• 46 % of the German’s think ‘it is an added value to stay in an environmentally friendly accommodation

• 80 % of the Dutch want information on ethical issues in their travel information.

• Ethical reputation of a company is an important selection criteria for 45 % of the British consumers.

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• I would like to know whether the holiday company I am travelling with is working to reduce it’s environmental impacts (55 %)

• I want to be given facts about what the holiday company has achieved in terms of reducing environmental impacts (53%)

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Global Business trends • Major Industries have defined clear objectives to become sustainable.

• Larger multinationals are taking the lead: driven by brand reputation and investors.

• Clear targets are set: -> 25 % sustainable coffee globally in 2015 -> 75 % of EU cocoa (chocolate) import sustainable in 2020

To reach the targets local suppliers should become sustainable

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Global business trends

In order to independently monitor performance sector specific global sustainability labels are defined.

In co-operation between NGO’s and industries

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Growing pressure on travel industry to take action!

• Within Europe, ABTA and ANVR travel associations took the lead in supporting their members towards sustainability

• Partnerships with NGO’s and universities. Supported by the European Union.

• Develop common industry sustainability standards and tools

Associations

NGO’s Education

2004 - 2007

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Integrated set of tools

Tour operators and suppliers (e.g. hotels)

- Training - Self check - Management system - Planning and reporting system - Certification - Market access

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Support from major travel brands

Commitment from 18 European associations

• Belgium• Bulgaria • Czech Republic • Croatia• Cypress• Denmark• Ireland • Finland • France

• Germany• Greece• Italy• Latvia • Netherlands• Spain • Poland • Sweden • UK

Brazil, Kenia, Thailand

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3. What can you do as a tour operator

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Management control

Tour Operator

Internal management

(office and retail operations)

Customer Communication

Protection

Supply Chain

Transport

Accommodation

Excursion

Destination

Community

Biodiversity

Resources

Principles of sustainability management

• Do you have management control?• Direct or indirect (e.g. via supply chain)• Can it be done without loosing competitive advantage • Is the solution / best practise locally available?• Do you have the support tools to do it (e.g. checklists)

Travelife has collected best practices which are already implemented by some of the most competitive tour operators.

Implementation tools have been made available for you through the Travelife online system.

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Internal Management: Human rights and labour relations

Trade union membership

No discrimination

No Forces and child labour

Formal contracts

Healthcare insurance

Education opportunities

Preference for local staff

Complains procedure for staff28

Internal Management: Environment

Sustainable purchasing Energy reduction Waste reduction and recycling Promotional materials from sustainable

paperWater saving Soft Mobility

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Suppiers (transport, accommodation, excursions)

A. Product development

• Selecting new more sustainable suppliers• Look for certifications, labels, awards, recognition

However sustainable suppliers often not available !

B. Motivate your existing suppliers towards sustainability

• Training and information • Distribution of codes of conducts • Contract conditions • Certification 30

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Accommodation Certification systems in Europe

Customer communication

Communicate your sustainability policy

Provide sustainable alternatives

Inform clients about carbon compensation opportunities

Inform about do’s and don’t in the destination

Inform about illegal souvenirs

Promote client donation to local projects32

Airports could promote more

sustainable options…..

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3. How will CBI support you

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Travelife Engaged

Travelife Partner

Travelife Certified

Your road towards sustainability

Stage 1. Travelife Engaged

• Online training and exam for your sustainability coordinator.• Baseline assessment• Guidance on improving your performance.• Action planning tool

• Reporting tool (towards Travelife Partner criteria)

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In case you need further help

info@travelife.info

Partner Standard

Reporting criteria

Obligatory criteria

1. Sustainability management and legal compliance

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2. Social policy & human rights 18 10

3. Environment & community relations 37 13

4. Partner agencies 7 0

5. Transport 4 0

6. Accommodation 11 3

7. Excursions 12 3

8. Tour leaders, local reps. & guides 8 3

9. Destinations 4 1

10. Customer Communication & protection 8 6

Total 125 49

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CompanyAction Plan

Sustainability report

Planning and Reporting tool

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Stage 2. Travelife Partner

• After compliance with 49 Travelife Partner standards

• Travelife Partner award and logo

• B2B featuring of your company and products to all other Travelife member companies.

• Improving and reporting towards Travelife Certified level (more criteria, more obligations)

Stage 3. Travelife Certified• Compliance with 88 Travelife Certified criteria

• On-site audit to confirm Certified level.

• Use of “Travelife Certified” logo in your promotional materials and website(s).

• International promotion of your company for its excellent sustainability achievements.

Mr. Taleb Rifai, General Secretary UNWTO, hands out “Travelife Certified” awards to TUI Netherlands, SNP Nature

Travel and Kuoni Specialists.

Thanks for your attention

n.kusters@cbi.eu