The UK division of travel management company Altour has partnered with sustainable technology company Thrust Carbon to enable its clients to purchase carbon offsets.
The move comes as parent company Internova Travel Group puts long-term sustainability programmes in place across its entire network, including including certifications, risk management solutions and working with suppliers with social and environmental practices.
It also has plans to roll out sustainability platforms for its other UK-based travel agency brands, including Barrhead Travel and Global Travel Collection UK.
London-based TMC Altour will now be able to offer clients offsetting projects including forestry and conservation opportunities; emissions data so they can analyse their travel footprint; and sustainability consultations from January 2022 as a result of the new partnership.
The partnership is part of a concerted attempt by Internova to find more sustainable solutions for corporate clients who are concerned about reducing and tracking their carbon footprint.
Altour UK managing director Maria Baty said: “Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips right now, but what matters most, is action.
“As a travel management company, we must be accountable when it comes to what we contribute to the sustainability landscape. That means re-evaluating where and how we can make a meaningful impact through our partnerships.
“Equally, our clients need personal accountability for their own travel plans. Partnering with Thrust Carbon will enable our clients to take their sustainability strategies to the next level and provide a transparent account of how they can enact positive change within their businesses.”
Parent company Internova said it had recognised the growth in demand for practical resources to support carbon offsetting goals during the pandemic. It is now also looking to roll
President Gabe Rizzi said the partnership was an example of how the company was evolving post-pandemic.
He said: “It’s no longer enough for a travel management company to simply book and manage travel – all of our clients are looking for a joined-up and efficient experience. Adapting in a post-pandemic era means we must look at the full picture, whether that be robust duty-of-care services or through innovative sustainability solutions.”
As well as Altour, Internova’s corporate travel division also includes Travel Leaders Corporate; Corporate Travel Services; and Halifax-based Your Event Solutions (Yes).