TUI Travel chief executive Peter Long and the group’s sustainability programme will be put under the spotlight at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM).
As boss of Europe’s largest leisure travel company, Long will be put on the spot by Stephen Sackur, presenter of BBC World’s flagship news programme HARDtalk.
Hot Seat is sponsored by BBC World and is one of the keynote attractions at WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Day (WRTD) on Wednesday November 11. It will provide an opportunity to hear one of the world’s leading senior industry figures explain why they are so committed to a green agenda.
WTM chairman of Fiona Jeffery said she was delighted that Peter Long had accepted an invitation to participate in WRTD.
“In the past, responsible tourism was confined to smaller, specialist companies, but now, leading mass market operators such as TUI Travel are demonstrating that sustainability and commercial success can, and are, going hand in hand,” said Jeffery.
“TUI Travel rightly recognises that the environment, communities and cultures in which it operates are vital to the success of the business.”
Long said: “Sustainability is one of TUI Travel’s four key drivers for growth, and the group strategy team has taken into consideration sustainable development issues when establishing our business strategy.
“Our aspirations are to lead in sustainable development within the leisure travel industry and take this in the wider marketplace.”
“The steps we have taken in the last year have set us on course to make a real contribution to a more sustainable world.”
WRTD, in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and supported by major industry associations such as World Travel and Tourism Council and Pacific Asia Travel Association, is the world’s most ambitious responsible tourism day illustrating to consumers worldwide that travel and tourism is listening to their demands for a caring, more sensitive approach from the industry.
Hot Seat is from 12pm-1pm in Platinum Suite 4, at ExCeL on Wednesday 11 November. Find out more about WTM World Responsible Tourism Day.