EasyJet holidays has unveiled its first sustainability vision, aiming for “a world where travel makes a positive impact on the environment and local communities”.
The operator said its research shows that 71% of Brits say sustainability is an important factor when booking a holiday, with 22% saying it is very important.
It has pledged that all its holidays will directly support sustainable practices by the end of 2025.
The firm has also committed to encouraging 100% of its contracted hotels to achieve certification by a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GTSC) accredited certification body or a certification to a GSTC recognised standard by the end of 2025.
It follows the recent announcement for easyJet holidays to be the first major UK tour operator to offset carbon emissions for its holidays.
A sustainability steering committee will be led by Matt Callaghan, customer and operations director, with support from Garry Wilson, easyJet holidays chief executive, and Jane Ashton, director of sustainability at easyJet and her team.
In a statement, the operator said: “When it comes to sustainability, we want to raise the bar, positively shake things up and lead the industry. To make sustainability part of our everyday culture, enabling us, our partners, and our customers to reduce their environmental footprint, and make a positive impact on the people and places that make our destinations so special.”
Wilson added: “This new strategy is underpinned by a thorough assessment of the environmental, social and economic topics on which easyJet holidays has the biggest impact, as well as the topics which most affect our stakeholders – from our hotel partners to our customers.
“Over the next five years, we will be working to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our business and actively evolving our approach.
“We’re at the beginning of our journey and we know that this won’t be easy, but we’re committed to positively shaking things up within our own business, with our partners and across the industry.”
Randy Durband, GSTC chief executive, commented: “We’re delighted that easyJet holidays has tangible plans with their partners to become more sustainable and to make it as easy as possible for travellers to make more sustainable choices.”
Mark Tanzer, chief executive at Abta, said: “Abta believes that travel and tourism is a powerful force for good: creating economic and social value, sustaining jobs, supporting businesses and boosting inward investment for destinations where many livelihoods depend on tourism.
“To deliver the benefits of tourism, and address crucial environmental and social challenges, travel companies need to integrate sustainability into all areas of their business.”