Every year, the Business Travel Show surveyed thousands of travellers and travel managers across Europe to identify the issues facing them, their companies and the business travel industry in general. This year, for the first time, the sustainable development is one of the top 10 issues cited by buyers, and the climate change is at the top of this list for the first time.
The tourism sector has always placed great emphasis on the environment. The hotel group Marriott has promised to put an end to the use of small plastic bottles for toiletries. Qantas and IAG have both committed to the Net Zero project, and the UK's initiative to become carbon neutral by 2050. However, the survey found that 71% of tourism managers do not currently offset air-related carbon emissions, and only 26% offer travellers information about their carbon footprint.
" We really are at a turning point in terms of climate change and sustainable development. "says David Chapple, Group Events Director at the Business Travel Show. " More and more companies are being forced to reconsider the effects of their business travel on the environment and on human rights. This raises two key questions: is it possible to introduce a sustainable travel policy in a cost-effective way, given the constant pressure on buyers to cut costs; and can an ethical travel programme really be implemented in reality? "says David Chapple.
These two questions will be addressed during the Business Travel Show conferences, which will also cover the subject of the car rental to study how it can offer an ecological alternative thanks to major innovations such as telematics, car-sharing and electric vehicles, which have an impact on fares, operations, sustainable development and the environment. "duty of care.
Another session at the event will focus on traveller well-beingA new wellness seminar will also offer visitors a haven to relax while learning about innovative wellness tools and services that will help them take better care of their travellers. A new wellness seminar will also provide a haven for visitors to take time to relax while learning about innovative wellness tools and services that will help them take better care of their travellers.
