UK: Sustainable Hotel News was at the launch of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) global yesterday where the winners of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards were also announced.
The International Centre for Responsible Tourism global (ICRT global) was launched by Debbie Hindle, responsible tourism expert and Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, to offer bespoke and online training courses and guidance to Universities on responsible tourism across the globe.
The charity is being supported by Sabre and easyJet Holidays.
ICRT global aims to foster industry knowledge through training and online learning, with courses like the Professional Certificate in Responsible Tourism, the Professional Certificate in Managing Over-tourism and the Professional Certificate in Creating Shared Value.
The charity will also host conferences and awards, as well as encouraging idea sharing across the sector.
Matt Callaghan COO easyJet holidays took to the stage to talk about EasyJet Holiday’s focus on sustainable travel through education and collaboration – although Callaghan said “I am always cautious when people say collaboration” as people can get together and chat and then not do anything, but the company will be using “collaboration to unlock greater impact through the value of partnerships.”
Callaghan also emphasised that all action must be through rapid implementation and “let’s not try and shoot for utter perfection, pace is more important. Try something and see how it goes rather than aiming for the platinum version that will work all over the world – because that probably doesn’t exist. It is better to do something which is not perfect than do nothing at all.”
He added: “We often think of travel as an escape but what if we saw it as an investment in nature, culture and communities? Sustainable travel is also about enhancing the people and places.”
Callaghan did however note that the hotel sector did sometimes see sustainability as a cost rather than a benefit and educating the sector about how sustainability can make operational savings is an ongoing issue.
“One hotel, which invested 30,000 Euros in its hotel restaurant food waste process and education and saved 114,000 Euros in one year, so while some of our hotel partners are not in the place to be talking about sustainability, it’s easy to talk about what they can save.”
A panel on responsible travel saw Tim Williamson joint MD Responsible Travel agreeing with the sentiment that sustainability is not the priority but that by selling good holidays, which are also responsible, make a win-win. “When you pay someone well they open up to customers in a different way and that’s what creates amazing holidays.”
He added: “You can’t expect the customer to shake you saying what they want – the industry has to drive the change.”
In another panel about models for responsible tourism moderated by Harold Goodwin, panellists talked about their successes and challenges running responsible travel offerings. Panellists included Adama Bah, The Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia, Mike Benson, managing director, The Scottish Crannog Centre and Jayni Gudka, founder of Sama Sama International.
Gudka, who founded Unseen Tours, “giving people a sustainable way out of homelessness,” shared how the model has now been replicated in more than 10 cities around the world and Brasilia is the next focus looking at the trans community with training starting next year. The idea of the tours is to see cities through a different lens – and Gudka hopes to partner with hotels who can then offer guests local neighbourhood city tours from people who know the stories of the streets from a different perspective.
The event concluded with the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, which saw winners including those protecting and educating travellers about fragile natural landscapes and culture, replicable activities to reduce carbon and improve accessibility for travellers and more.
The six Global Responsible Tourism Award winners fought off competition to win gold in regional awards held in Africa, Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and a rest of the world category.
Tess Longfield, Sabre head of sustainability communications and award sponsor said: “Judging the Global Responsible Tourism Awards has once again left me in awe of the extraordinary work being done, day in and day out, by our finalists. Their passion and dedication to creating a more sustainable and equitable world through tourism is truly inspiring. It’s a testament to the power of responsible travel to make a real difference.”
Debbie Hindle chair ICRT global said: “Every finalist in this room is already a winner – they have already won a gold award in regional awards.”
Employing and ups killing local communities, Winner: Grootbos Lodge and Foundation South Africa The Lodge upskills, trains and mentors its staff and supports and promotes local producers. Through the Grootbos Foundation, it provides free skills and business training for employment and ‘economic dignity’ for local people. Its Green Futures College covers the training costs, uniforms, transport, food, stipends and childcare for between 20 and 24 unemployed people each year.
Making tourism inclusive, Winner: Tui UK & Ireland for its dedicatedAccessible Holidays Strategy team has partnered with AccessAble to survey hotels and develop detailed access guides which are now available online. It has also partnered with Sign Live to provide interpreting services for British sign language users via video relay.
Climate action, Winner: Jetwing Hotels – Sri Lanka. Jetwing hotels currently secures 60 per cent of its energy from renewable sources, from biomass, solar PV, solar thermal, and biogas. In 2023, Jetwing Hotels generated 1069 MWh of solar energy across its properties, equivalent to providing power for about 13,490 households and mitigating the release of 608 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, and photovoltaic materials are being delivered across a further twelve properties.
Nature positive responsible tourism, Winner: Crees Manu, Peru for its work including running tours and volunteering opportunities as both internships and learning experiences in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Crees works to “promote sustainable alternatives that respect human rights, intergenerational rights, biodiversity rights, and the rights of its species to ensure long-term sustainable economic development.”
Increasing local sourcing for global responsible tourism, Winner: Sivatel Bangkok Hotel The hotel sources 70 per cent of its ingredients organically and is aiming for 100 per cent by 2030. It achieved zero food waste to landfill in 2023, is striving for zero overall waste by 2024 and plans to integrate renewable energy by 2025. It partners with more than 50 local farmers through the “Sivatel’s Farmer Friends Network and partners with local producers through the “Sivatel Sustainable Market,” connecting staff, guests, and local vendors.
Championing cultural diversity, Winner: Rajastan Studio India. It curates art experiences with master artisans in Rajasthan, contributing to the preservation of the state’s local traditional crafts and culture.
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