Tui Travel has reported a sharp reduction in the carbon emissions of its airline fleet and an increase in cost savings across the group in the second year of a three-year ‘Sustainable Holidays Plan’.
Europe’s biggest leisure travel company reported a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions from its aircraft fleet since 2008 and a £28 million saving in ‘environmental efficiencies’ since 2012.
The figures were published this morning in the company’s Sustainable Holidays Report 2013.
The group reported 3.8 million of its customers stayed at sustainability certified hotels last year, up from two million in 2012 and taking it more than half-way to its target of 10 million over three years by the end of 2014.
Tui Travel group director of sustainable development Jane Ashton said: “The measures we have implemented are starting to bear fruit, creating substantial cost savings and a measurable reduction in CO2 emissions.
“It is fantastic to see such progress, but there is a long way to go. We must continue to raise awareness of the issues of sustainability in the industry.”
Ashton told Travel Weekly: “Every year we continue to drive more savings and we are getting smarter at tracking the savings. Looking at the business operations through an environmental lens makes good sense.”
About 50% of Thomson Holidays customers stayed at sustainability certified hotels in the last year.
Ashton described the target of 10 million over three years as “a real challenge”, but said: “There is a lot of work is going on and a huge amount of effort.”
She said: “The more we do, the stronger the business case [becomes] and the more we have been able to do.”
However, she added: “We are very big but we are just one player. The more we can engage the rest of the industry, destinations and governments, the better.
“We urge all industry players to identify and promote hotels certified to robust sustainable tourism certifications such as Travelife or other recognised schemes which address environmental, employment, community and cultural aspects of sustainability.”