1. Sustainability Management for Tour Operators1
Sustainability Management for Tour Operators
February 27h
The Hague
Naut Kusters

2. Content Sustainable tourism: definitions and principles
The market perspective: consumers & b2b
What can you, as a tour operator, do?
How will CBI support you?

3. Sustainable tourism World Tourism Organisation, 1988
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.
Brundtland Report 1987 – Uniting countries to pursue sustainable development

4. Economic viability Local prosperity Employment quality Social equity
Sustainable Tourism - 12 Aims
UN-WTO, Making Tourism More Sustainable, 2007
Economic viability Local prosperity
Employment quality Social equity
Visitor fulfilment Local control
Community wellbeing Cultural richness
Physical integrity Biological diversity
Resource efficiency Environmental purity

5. All tourism types and products can and should become sustainable!8
Sustainable Tourism
Is not a niche market
All tourism types and products can and should become sustainable!
Brundtland Report 1987 – Uniting countries to pursue sustainable development

6. Community Based Tourism
Rural
tourism
Ecotourism
Sustainable
tourism
Nature
tourism
Sun and beach tourism
Community Based Tourism
Cultural tourism

7. Takes place in natural areas
Ecotourism
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

8. Community Based Tourism (CBT)
It is more than visiting communities:
Definition
CBT 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. 

9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
The responsibility of a company towards it’s stakeholders
(society at large, employees, clients, community, environment etc.)
ISO  CSR Themes
Human rights
Labour practices
Environment
Fair operating practices
Consumer protection
Community involvement and development

10. 2. The market perspective

11. Consumer trends
In European countries
3-10 serious consumer
studies were conducted
between 1995 and 2013
.... they provide a clear
and growing trend

12. 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.

13. 33
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%)

15. 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

16. Global business trends
In order to independently monitor performance sector specific global sustainability labels are defined.  In co-operation between NGO’s and industries

19. 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

20. 2004 - 2007 Education NGO’s Associations
Synergie door samenwerking blabla

21. Integrated set of tools. Tour operators and suppliers (e. g
Integrated set of tools Tour operators and suppliers (e.g. hotels) - Training Self check Management system Planning and reporting system Certification Market access

22. Support from major travel brands

23. Commitment from 18 European associations
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Croatia
Cypress
Denmark
Ireland
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Italy
Latvia
Netherlands
Spain
Poland
Sweden UK

24. Brazil, Kenia, Thailand

25. 3. What can you do as a tour operator37
3. What can you do as a tour operator

26. Management control Customer Tour Operator Internal management
Communication
Protection
Tour Operator
Internal management
(office and retail operations)
Management control
Destination
Community
Biodiversity
Resources
Supply Chain
Transport
Accommodation
Excursion

27. 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.

28. 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 staff

29. Internal Management: Environment
Sustainable purchasing
Energy reduction
Waste reduction and recycling
Promotional materials from sustainable paper
Water saving
Soft Mobility

30. Suppiers (transport, accommodation, excursions)
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

31. Accommodation Certification systems in Europe

32. 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 projects

33. Airports could promote more sustainable options…..

34. 3. How will CBI support you37
3. How will CBI support you

35. Your road towards sustainability
Travelife Certified
Travelife Partner
Travelife Engaged

37. 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)

47. In case you need further help
In case you need further help

49. Partner Standard Reporting criteria Obligatory criteria
1. Sustainability management and legal compliance 16 10
2. Social policy & human rights 18
3. Environment & community relations 37 13
4. Partner agencies 7
5. Transport 4
6. Accommodation 11 3
7. Excursions 12
8. Tour leaders, local reps. & guides 8
9. Destinations 1
10. Customer Communication & protection 6
Total
125 49

51. Planning and Reporting tool.
Sustainability report
Company
Action Plan

52. 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)

53. 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.

54. Mr. Taleb Rifai, General Secretary UNWTO, hands out
“Travelife Certified” awards to TUI Netherlands, SNP Nature Travel and Kuoni Specialists.

55. Thanks for your attention