EasyJet holidays has pledged to make sustainable holidays “mainstream” with a new project.
The budget airline’s in-house tour operation has joined forces with the United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and a sustainable development goals (SGD) Impact Lab at the University of Oxford.
They collectively aim to help develop the first environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework for tourism businesses.
As the lab’s founding partner, easyJet holidays works alongside Oxford University students to identify and deliver solutions to help develop sustainable travel.
EasyJet holidays will continue work started last year to equip students with the transferable skills needed to lead “transformative change” in relation to UN sustainable development goals.
UNWTO and the Oxford SDG Impact Lab will carry out a comprehensive mapping of current work, interview pioneering businesses in the accommodation and reservation services industries, and further research and development.
The operator’s customer and operations director Matt Callaghan said: “We have big ambitions when it comes to making sustainable holidays mainstream and we’re committed to playing our part in supporting better tourism governance.
“So, as the SDG Impact Lab’s founding partner we’re delighted to be supporting the Lab’s work with the UNWTO, to develop a first of its kind environmental, social and governance framework for sustainable tourism.
“Collaboration is key when it comes to making real world impact, so we look forward to helping develop a framework that can be a force for good for the entire travel and tourism industry.”
University of Oxford local and global engagement officer Professor Alexander Betts said: “The ESG framework brings together the University of Oxford’s world class academic research with the international consensus-building ability and expertise of the UNWTO.
“Ensuring that this strategic approach is matched with real-world testing and consultation with industry experts, such as easyJet holidays, this project is uniquely placed to bring about meaningful impact in the sustainable tourism sector.”
UNWTO executive director,Zoritsa Urosevic added: “By drawing on the power of international consensus, an ESG framework for tourism business that is comparable and relevant for a majority of companies will empower private and public sectors with more robust data to shape innovative policies, transform business models and promote better tourism governance.”