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
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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
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