The full-day conference will explore topics including the challenges around overtourism, the opportunities shaping sustainable travel and how travel can help solve biodiversity loss.
Ahead of the conference, moderator Susan Deer – Abta’s director of industry relations – highlighted the growing "media attention" on issues such as animal welfare and overtourism, which she said had the potential to place additional pressure on businesses.
“What this should do is be a reminder of the need to have a sustainability framework which works for your business, and to keep that in focus across all decision making and operations," said Deer.
“The Abta Delivering Sustainable Travel conference will provide us all with the opportunity to hear from industry colleagues about their successes, challenges and learnings when it comes to sustainability."
Tickets are available to book now
Abta’s Delivering Sustainable Travel conference, its fifth, will be held in London’s Whitechapel on 15 May 2024 and will feature a series of industry case studies that will be discussed throughout the day.
Speakers at the event include The Travel Foundation’s sustainable tourism specialist Rebecca Armstrong, who will highlight the need to confront the sustainability implications of a predicted record-breaking year for tourism.
Another is Nadine Pinto, The Travel Corporation’s global sustainability manager, who will discuss how “respecting the places we are privileged to explore, and the people who live there, must be top of mind for our sector in order to address overtourism".
Hotelplan director of sustainability Prue Stone will deliver the conference’s keynote. Ahead of the event, she said: “There’s no space for one upmanship when it comes to protecting our planet. We’re looking forward to connecting with colleagues on actions that are tangible and impactful, with both immediate and long-term benefits for all.”
Attendees will also be able to opt into a range of 25 minute discussion groups, with a focus for the 2024 conference on communicating sustainability, and supporting and engaging local communities.
Sophie Walker, global head of sustainability at Inside Travel Group, which has achieved Travelife Partner recognition and is B Corp Certified, will lead a discussion on how interested companies, or those in progress, can start their journey to these certifications.
“Inside Travel Group will be sharing our journeys through these rigorous certification systems and highlighting the benefits, the challenges and the experience of becoming certified," said Walker.
Meanwhile, rail travel specialist Byway’s head of partnerships, Paul Conroy, will speak about the company’s mission to make flight-free travel mainstream since the operator’s launch in 2020.
Conroy said: “We all know that avoiding flying is one of the most obvious ways to travel more sustainably but we also know how complicated it can be to book train-based holidays whether you’re a traveller, travel agent or tour operator.
"I’ll be explaining the steps we’re taking to make it easier than ever to book a flight-free journey across the UK, Europe and beyond.”
TTG is the media partner for the Delivering Sustainable Travel conference, and will be part of one of the day’s many panels. The conference will focus on how travel business can ensure their growth is sustainable and contributes positively to communities and the environment.
Deer added: “We need to keep making progress in developing a more sustainable industry and the stakes are high for all of us to get this right. Where we’ve made the most progress, is through collaboration and learning best practice from each other.”
