Hotelplan UK has raised investments to sustainability initiatives and charitable projects by more than 16% to £1.25 million.
The figure was disclosed in a new report tracking the company’s progress towards sustainability goals in the 2022-23 financial year.
Investment went into carbon removal solutions, biodiversity restoration and environmental protection.
More than £100,000 was given to charities and projects – up from £74,000 originally pledged.
The parent company of Explore Worldwide, Inghams, Esprit, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland aims to spend a further £1 million in carbon removal and rewilding projects, plus donate a further £100,000 to charitable causes in its 2023-24 financial year.
To specifically reduce flight emissions – which made up 75% of last year’s footprint – options for flight-free holidays have been increased and direct, economy flights are being sold by default
Chief executive Joe Ponte said: “It’s been an incredible trading year for our brands, but we’re publishing this report to show that healthy profits and passenger numbers aren’t our only objectives.
“We’re focused on being a purpose-led organisation, meaning an equal focus on people, planet and profit is paramount.
“We’ve got a clear vision of the travel business we want to be and are excited to share the path we’ve mapped to get us there.”
He added: “The road to a sustainable future for tourism is not an easy one, but we firmly believe that acting and communicating with transparency will speed the journey.
“Witnessing progress inspires us all to do more – whilst being open about difficulties and vulnerabilities supports banding together to find solutions. This is the approach we’re taking and we look forward to sharing further updates.”
Sustainability director Prue Stone, who co-authored the Protecting our Futures report, said: “We’ve made encouraging progress by reducing our carbon footprint per passenger this year; and the expansion of our sustainability team means each brand now has an expert scrutinising its activities and driving change wherever possible.
“We want to be clear on the challenges of decarbonisation, however. In 2024, along with focusing on the factors we can directly control, we’re determined to work closely with partners and the industry to turn the dial on key issues such as comparable measurement methodologies, low carbon transport, activism and advocacy.”