In September 2020, The Travel Corporation (TTC) launched a five-year sustainability strategy that encompasses 11 goals aligned with the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Now, TTC Tour Brands released its second-annual TTC Impact Report which details the progress the company made in 2022 against its key objectives.
The company’s top target — to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — is well on its way, thanks to efforts to source 44% of TTC’s global electricity needs from renewable sources. TTC has also added more local and organic food experiences and diversity and inclusion opportunities into its itineraries, and has surpassed its goal to add sustainability experiences into half of its trips.
Our Analysis: Travel Advisors Want to Work with Sustainable and Transparent Travel Suppliers
Creating itineraries that give back to the planet, local people and wildlife is not just the right thing to do — it’s smart business. Companies that focus on providing sustainable options — from transportation to food to local experiences — also guarantee their own survival in a fragile industry susceptible to climate change, overtourism and the exploitation of people and resources.
Helping our customers and key travel advisor partners understand the science and the language behind claims in the marketplace is a responsibility we take seriously.
This is particularly true when it comes to earning the support of travel advisors. In a recent survey for TravelAge West’s Need to Know research series, 88% of respondents said that it is important to work with travel suppliers that support sustainable travel. But most advisors (73%) said that it is difficult to find information on companies’ sustainability practices. It’s clear that the transparency shown by TTC should serve as a model for fellow travel organizations.
Fast Facts: TTC Is Sharing Everything It Has Done This Last Year to Meet Goals
- In Europe, the coaches used for both Contiki and Trafalgar are equipped with solar panels that extend the life of the coach’s battery. These solar panels can assist with charging the battery during downtime and reduce the risk of breakdowns.
- The use of renewable electricity at TTC offices and accommodations accounted for 44% of TTC’s total global electricity needs, which was up 20% from the previous year.
- TTC’s Carbon Fund is an industry-leading fund designed to enable investment in green practices and technologies selected for their ability to decarbonize the business.
- TTC Tour Brands is aiming to incorporate at least one local dining experience across 80% of itineraries by 2025.
- In 2022, both of Contiki’s properties, Contiki Chateau and Contiki Haus Schoneck, featured 100% suppliers providing local and organic food products, and implemented food waste management systems which contributed to combined waste reduction by TTC of more than 284,000 meals.
- Contiki also ran its first-ever vegan itinerary in Eastern Europe, which focused on local/sustainable restaurants and food experiences, while Insight Vacations featured a new farm-to-table lunch experience in Wales, among other examples across TTC brands.
- Make Travel Matter Experiences are immersive impact experiences designed to benefit a destination, educate travelers and advance the United Nations Global Goals.
- In 2022, TTC Tour Brands, along with sister brands under TTC, included at least one Make Travel Matter Experience on 62% of itineraries, encompassing nearly 600 experiences across the world, and surpassing its goal of 50%.
- Examples of Make Travel Matter Experiences include exploring the Pink City of Jaipur on a rickshaw ride with Luxury Gold and learning about the value of the buffalo to the survival of First Nations people from a Cree guide in Banff with Trafalgar.
- Another goal is to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within local communities and for travelers.
- As part of TTC Tour Brands’ DEI strategy, TTC is committed to offering trips that empower diverse communities and travelers, from Pride trips and safaris to experiences that support local Black, Indigenous, and people of color -owned businesses.
What They Are Saying: TTC’s Transparency and Commitment to Sustainability Is Unmatched
"Decarbonization is the single most important thing we can do in the fight against climate change,” said Melissa DaSilva, president of TTC Tour Brands, North America. “As a company dedicated to discovering the world, our neighbors and the local wildlife that bring it to life, we’re deeply committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, if not sooner… we are aggressively moving forward toward our sustainability targets and play our part in the global transition toward low carbon.”
“Helping our customers and key travel advisor partners understand the science and the language behind claims in the marketplace is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Guy Young, chief trade engagement officer at TTC Tour Brands. “The steps we’re taking to achieve our goals are grounded in best practices as the first global tour operator to have near-term, long-term and net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Our transparency and our commitment are unmatched.”
“While we’re immensely proud of the impact we achieved in 2022, we’re equally aware of the work that remains ahead of us,” said Shannon Guihan, chief sustainability officer and head of TreadRight. “The sector needs to avoid the many distractions that are out there, and prioritize real change and seek measurable impact, which is exactly what we are focused on.”
