Take your staff with you on the journey

Travel bosses looking to bolster their businesses’ sustainability credentials should include staff in conversations about how they can achieve their goals, and harness the power of youth.

Oriele Frank, co-founder and chief product and sustainability officer at B Corp-certified beauty brand Elemis, said travel companies should begin their sustainability journeys by identifying which of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) apply to them.

"Engage your people, bring them along with you on the journey to support you," Frank told delegates. "Start with the UN’s SDGs and choose the ones applicable to your brand – use your company’s younger staff for a different perspective."

Act before disaster strikes – not after

Travel was further warned it should not take the onset of an environmental disaster to spur rapid implementation of new sustainability protocols.

"We don’t want travel and tourism to go through a disaster for rapid implementation to happen and for people to stand up and take notice when it comes to sustainability," Abta head of sustainability Carol Rose said.

"At Abta, we have identified nine core principles which are aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," continued Rose, speaking during a panel discussion around "economic leakage". "It is not just about climate – it’s about our duty of care to the human race."

Head over to ttgmedia.com/fairer-travel-week to find out how you can get involved.