Simon Pickup Sustainable Tourism Manager, ABTA Responsibility in a finite world and Thriving destinations - ABTA's approach to sustainable tourism  Simon Pickup Sustainable Tourism Manager, ABTA Sören Stöber Travelife Business Manager, ABTA

AGENDA A little about ABTA Sustainability – a modern day context ABTA’s approach to sustainability Key focus areas and examples The supply chain challenge & ABTA’s solution Summary Questions

ABOUT ABTA 61 years old The industry’s largest association in the UK Super-brand since 2003 8 out of 10 consumer recognition in 2011 Large and diverse membership: c. 850 tour operators c. 5000 individual travel agents

SUSTAINABILE TOURISM – THE JOURNEY SO FAR Origins dovetail to rise of CSR agenda No longer – about the “Green & Fluffy” – a wider meaning than ever before Recession: Doomsday predictions for sustainability haven’t materialised Value – key driver for consumers – this is good for sustainability Correlation between sustainability and better experiences.

Abta pLAN & SUSTAINABILITY Sustainable Tourism Industry Approach

Good Sustainability Baseline – where we want our members to be OUR CHALLENGE Large & Diverse membership Different levels of awareness and understanding Different starting points Defining tangible benefits for each member ENGAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS Good Sustainability Baseline – where we want our members to be

FOCUS AREAS Supportive Destination Policy Supply Chain ABTA Membership Issue Specific Work areas

www.makesnowsportsgreener.com ABTA Membership Retail Travel Agents SMOs LTOs Cruise Volunteer Tourism www.makesnowsportsgreener.com

Supportive Destination Policy The fundamental role for destination authorities and governments to take in ensuring sustainability.

Issue Specific Work areas Animal Welfare Working Group Why animal welfare? Huge media focus / Rising social media Intrinsic link between tourism and animals Emotional link between tourists and animals Holiday Extras Survey 2010: 46% of respondents loved their dog more than workmates or boss 8% more than their partner 6% more than their parents 1% more than their children Howling Dog Tours

THE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGE How do we unite a global supply chain around sustainability?

TRAVELIFE Tour operators Customers Associations Hotels Retail agents Destinations

THE TRAVELIFE SYSTEM Travelife Hotel Sustainability System Tour operators Customers Associations Hotels Retail agents Destinations Travelife Hotel Sustainability System

BACKGROUND A European initiative – launched in 2007 after 3 year project Joint initiative – tour operators, trade associations, NGOs, tourism ministries, academics Multi-stakeholder process involving 60+ participants Co-financed by EC (EU Life/”Tourlink” and EU ECO Innovation/”INTOUR”)

PURPOSE To provide an affordable and achievable solution to influence the mass market To allow hotels to get started with sustainability and promote achievements To remove complexity and costs from the supply chain and tour operator operations To raise customer awareness and drive demand

HOW DOES IT WORK? Hotel registration and online self-assessment Subscription, guidance and information (8 languages) 3rd party audit, award status, continuous improvement process In-house, external and tour operator promotion Re-audit every 2 years

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Sustainability action a future licence to trade and operate Inclusive and low-cost Encompasses all aspects of sustainability Only one audit for all tour operators Reporting tool for chains and groups Tour operator, agents and consumer promotion Internationally recognised and supported

CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE

WHO SUPPORTS IT? Tour operator subscription and commitment TUI Thomas Cook Group KUONI Transat, Cosmos, Virgin Holidays, Hotelplan, Sunvil, Co-operative Travel… Hotel chain subscriptions and commitment SENTIDO, HV, Atlantica, Louis, Neilson…

THE TRAVELIFE COLLECTION

SUMMARY Traditional / Orthodox sustainability has evolved Issues of competitiveness, value, quality, customer services, guest satisfaction – all form part of the definition in 2011 Future license to operate – time to engage is already here Consumers increasingly “issue aware” / have a growing appetite Recession hasn’t changed the game for the worse Sustainability goal posts are constantly moving Approach needs to be both current / reactive AND forward thinking / proactive

SO WHAT DOES RESPONSIBLE SKIING LOOK LIKE? It has to be about a sector that creates Better Places for People to live, and Better Places for people to visit. For this to be achieved – there needs to be unison of aspirations amongst all skake-holders (communities, authorities, suppliers & operators) Agree the parameters and stay on-piste!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU QUESTIONS?