Thomas Cook has unveiled a new sustainability strategy which seeks to lower fuel emissions, reduce food waste in resort and increase charitable activity.
The three-year strategy follows a year-long review of the operator’s sustainability activity and aims to “limit environmental impacts and maximise the social and economic benefits” of travel.
It formalises the group’s sustainability activity into three main strands: At Home, The Journey and On Holiday.
At Home aims to create “positive change” in customer communities through Cook’s charity work, while The Journey will focus on reducing fuel emissions on its aircraft and making sure operations are run “in the most responsible way”.
On Holiday focuses on Cook’s own-brand hotels and making them all Travelife-accredited, as well as reducing water usage and food waste in resort and “delivering services in a sustainable way”.
The strategy was announced at the ITB trade show in Berlin today by chief executive Peter Fankhauser and coincided with the publication of Cook’s 2017 Sustainability Report.
Charitable activities have helped 18,000 people, according to the report. It also outlined Cook’s animal welfare policy, launched in 2016, which saw all animal attractions it sells audited.Two‑thirds of animal attractions have since been removed from sale after failing to meet guidelines.
Fankhauser said: “I am determined that Thomas Cook be a positive force to help build a more sustainable tourism, working in partnership with our destinations, our suppliers, our customers and the wider industry.
“Our new strategy re‑establishes Thomas Cook’s voice in sustainability and shows our intent. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made but I’m clear that we need to push much further ahead.
“I believe bold action will help us deliver a more profitable and sustainable business over the longer term to the benefit of our people, our communities, our customers – and our investors.”