TTC Tour Brands release sustainability impact report

TTC Tour Brands released today, July 19, its second annual impact report.

The report details progress made in 2022 against the company’s five-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right.

Launched by The Travel Corporation in September 2020, the strategy features 11 measurable goals anchored to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development and designed to address TTC Tour Brands impact on the planet, its people and wildlife.

The annual report sets a precedent on greater transparency and accountability related to sustainability in travel and tourism.

The report outlines the ways in which TTC Tour Brands is advancing its centerpiece commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This goal replaced their original goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and is backed by TTC’s Climate Action Plan and reduction targets.

The targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, a partnership among CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature to drive climate action in the private sector.

 These commitments are backed by TTC’s Carbon Fund, designed to enable investment in green practices and technologies selected for their ability to decarbonize the business.

“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 neighbours and the local wildlife that brings it to life, we’re deeply committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, if not sooner. The introduction of TTC’s Carbon Fund makes it possible for our business to reduce our carbon emissions more quickly. Some examples of this in practice include Trafalgar coaches powered by solar panels that extend the life of the coach’s battery, to Contiki’s chateau powered 100 per cent by renewable energy. We are aggressively moving forward towards our sustainability targets and play our part on the global transition towards low carbon.”

The 2022 Impact Report addresses the progress made by TTC Tour Brands towards the collective goals to source 50 per cent of electricity from renewable energy sources; include at least one immersive impact experience, known as Make Travel Matter Experiences, across 50 per cent of the brands’ itineraries by 2025; reduce food waste by 50 per cent across hotels and ships by 2025; and incorporate more local food products across the supply chain.

According to Guy Young, TTC Tour Brands chief trade engagement officer, sustainability is a crucial part of the travel purchase decision.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.