Mark Tanzer says tourism’s challenge is to balance the benefits and the costs

ABTA;

With leaders from across the globe coming together at COP26 to discuss how to move to a net zero world, ABTA is highlighting the role that the travel and tourism industry has to play in tackling climate change, through a new video message and industry webinar.

In the video message to Members, Mark Tanzer says tourism’s challenge is to balance the benefits with the costs and reiterates ABTA’s commitment to working with Members to meet tourism’s sustainability challenges, both environmental and social, as laid out in ABTA’s Tourism for Good report. 

Mark says the industry will need to work with governments at home and internationally on how we develop tourism for the future.

ABTA is also working with aviation partners to drive towards lower carbon aviation, with the aviation sector committing to achieve net zero by 2050, and ABTA’s Travelife for Accommodation helps the industry manage sustainability through the supply chain, accrediting hotels which improve their environmental footprint.

He also says that there is a lot we can do in our own businesses - big problems don’t always have big solutions – sometimes we each need to contribute in whatever way we can towards meeting the challenge of climate change.  

To help Members understand the implications of COP26 for travel businesses and how travel companies can take action to reduce carbon emissions to reach net zero, ABTA will be running a free webinar for Members on 11 November. Non-Members can also attend for a small fee.

The event will cover:

  • Highlights of COP26 and top line implications for travel businesses
  • Tour operator innovation example on how they are setting and meeting carbon targets
  • How hotels and accommodation can look forward to net zero 
  • How aviation can transition to net zero
  • How tourist destinations are planning for and adapting to climate change

Speakers include, Dirk Glaesser, Director, Sustainable Development of Tourism, UNWTO; Christopher Imbsen, Director of Sustainability, WTTC; Emily Cromwell, Director, Sustainability, Deloitte; Andy Jefferson, Programme Director, Sustainable Aviation; Nadine Pinto, Sustainability Manager, TreadRight & The Travel Corporation;  Manuel Butler, UK Director, Spanish Tourist Office; and Carolyn Wincer, Commercial Director, Travelife.

Members and non-Members can register for the event through ABTA’s website.