It tells us people are interested and concerned about a broad range of sustainability issues relating to tourism and this is the something we are reflecting at Abta’s upcoming Delivering Sustainable Travel Conference later this month (15 May).

We know from our work with members that many businesses are working on initiatives around these important issues, and I’m pleased that we’ll get to showcase them at the event later this month.

Now in its fifth year and a staple on the industry events calendar, the Delivering Sustainable Travel Conference offers an agenda that gets to the heart of the issues that are critical for our industry to address as they become high priorities for consumers.  

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In fact, there is that much going on that it has been a challenge to curate this year’s conference programme, and difficult to narrow down the range of potential topics when discussing sustainable travel. There is easily enough content to fill a three-day event! But we managed to distil it down into one jammed-packed day. 

Attendees will hear two panel discussions, including one on overtourism, where we will explore what the industry can do to address the unique challenges posed.

There will also be a fascinating discussion on human rights and what best-in-class human rights due diligence look like today, and the direction we need to be heading as the travel sector collectively.

Industry case studies include Exodus Adventure Travels, where head of sustainability Rochelle Turner who will be talking about biodiversity loss and how to make travel part of the solution, and Byway Travel, which sees head of partnerships Paul Conroy addressing the mission of making flight free travel mainstream.

While sustainability has moved up the priority list for travellers themselves, there is a say-do gap, in terms of the number of people who said they intend to make a choice about their holiday with sustainability in mind, and those that did.

For example – 44% of people said they would choose one hotel over another if it had a better track record on sustainability. But just 10% of people went on to do so.

We’re keen to use this month’s event to explore this a bit more, to try to understand what might be driving the say-do gap, and what the industry could be going to help close it. 

Collaboration will be a recurring theme throughout the conference – we are keen to stress the importance of all stakeholders moving together towards the same goal of sustainable travel.

The event will help aid that, by providing a platform and opportunity to come together, share best practice and improve collaboration across the sector.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Sulamith Waldmeier is Abta’s head of events.