What: The Sustainable Travel Coalition Will Influence U.S. Travel Priorities
The U.S. Travel Association is launching a new Sustainable Travel Coalition. The goal of the coalition is to align the travel, transportation and technology sectors in developing and implementing strategies that will create a more sustainable future for the U.S. travel industry.
At launch, the Sustainable Travel Coalition has nearly 60 members who will serve as an advisory board to U.S. Travel, informing the organization on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns.
Seeing the world and saving the world should not be mutually exclusive.
Why It Matters: Prioritizing Sustainability Will Help Create a Better Future for the Travel Industry
Creating a more sustainable travel industry is key to its overall future; without making progress in this area, the industry will be putting destinations, attractions and communities at risk. What’s more, numerous studies show that travelers are putting more emphasis on sustainable and responsible travel than ever before: Not only do they want to travel this way themselves, but they want to see transparency in how organizations and companies are implementing sustainable policies. By prioritizing these issues, U.S. Travel is helping to create a better future for the industry, as well as making the U.S. an even more attractive destination for travelers seeking a responsible and sustainable vacation experience.
Fast Facts: Goals of the Sustainable Travel Coalition
U.S. Travel has several long-term goals that will inform the Sustainable Travel Coalition’s priorities. These include:
- Spotlighting industry progress by showcasing innovative technologies along with the actions and leadership of travel professionals working on sustainability issues
- Amplifying industry goals and commitments to conservation, best practices and the reduction of waste and emissions
- Highlighting the importance of sustainability to the future of the travel industry
- Identifying and promoting proactive policies that will help achieve sustainability goals
- Defending against harmful policies that hamper progress on sustainability goals
To accelerate the federal government’s investment in sustainable travel, more than 100 industry organizations (including groups within and outside the coalition) wrote a letter to Congress calling for the following near-term priorities:
- A tax credit for the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel
- An enhanced tax credit to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations available in the U.S.
- An enhanced tax deduction to increase energy efficiency upgrades to commercial buildings
- Federal investments in protecting and restoring natural attractions
- Other clean energy incentives
What They Are Saying: The U.S. Travel Industry Must Meet the Needs of an Evolving Market and World
“Seeing the world and saving the world should not be mutually exclusive,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for the U.S. Travel Association. “As technology advances and consumers demand more sustainable travel options, the work of this coalition will ensure that the U.S. travel industry can meet the needs of an evolving market, while also protecting our planet’s natural resources.”
“This is clearly an issue that spans well beyond the travel industry itself to practically all other sectors of the U.S. economy,” Barnes added. “By bringing together stakeholders across related industries, we are aligning leaders in travel, transportation and technology on the critical issues that will affect their businesses for decades to come.”
