This is How You Helped Us Hit Our 5-Year Sustainability Targets

REVIEWED BY: GEMMA MYHILL

Head of Sustainability & Strategic Projects

Travel has an extraordinary power to ignite our spirits, broaden our horizons, and fill our lives with unforgettable moments. But with each footstep leaving its mark on the world, travel also bears a responsibility. For us, sustainable travel has always been more than just a phrase; it’s a heartfelt ethos, a conscious mindset woven into every choice we make and every journey we undertake, with clear sustainability targets.

In 2020, we dared to dream bigger, launching an ambitious 5-year sustainability strategy. With bold targets, we committed ourselves to leading the charge toward a more responsible and respectful way to explore. Today, as we unveil our 4th annual Impact Report, we’re proud to share that we’ve not only met but exceeded those goals—proof that each and every one of us can truly make a difference.

We put some questions to Gemma Myhill, Head of Sustainability Marketing & Growth for the Travel Corporation, to find out why she has such a huge smile on her face, and discover how you have made a positive impact by choosing to travel with us.

Why did we create our sustainability strategy?

“We launched our How We Tread Right (HWTR) 5-year sustainability strategy in 2020 as a comprehensive, science-led response to the urgent environmental and social challenges facing the travel industry.

“We recognized the increasing responsibility of travel companies to move beyond sustainability talk and take measurable, transparent action – especially in the wake of climate change, biodiversity loss and overtourism.

“With that in mind, HWTR was built to: embed sustainability into the core of all brands and operations; align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which act as the global blueprint for sustainable development; deliver measurable progress across 11 clearly defined sustainability goals; and ensure that travel can be a force for positive change for communities, wildlife, and the planet.

“Our HWTR strategy and the setting of sustainability targets was also a way for us to give guests, partners and our global teams a clear and honest framework for holding the business accountable and showing that responsible travel is not just possible, it’s essential.”

What were the biggest challenges?

“One of the biggest challenges we faced during the 5-year period was of course COVID. We had to double down to ensure we continued to engage our partners and continued investing in sustainability during a period of massive disruption.

“We also experienced complexity in measuring and reporting on our carbon emissions given we’re a global portfolio of brands with different products, suppliers and geographies. Collecting accurate data required significant coordination and our team were incredible in managing to create our very own carbon calculator and measure the impact of 700+ trips.

“Of course, we also prioritized our communications, ensuring that every claim we made was accurate, defensible, and in line with shifting regulatory guidelines. Greenwashing is rife when it comes to sustainability claims, and we pledged we’d always be as transparent as possible.”

What were the biggest successes? 

“Throughout our journey with HWTR, we’ve achieved numerous milestones and sustainability targets. We’ve delivered over 850 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, conscious travel moments designed to educate travelers and create a positive impact on communities, wildlife and the planet.

“Our ‘Say No to More Stuff’ initiative removed merchandise intended to be given away from our ecosystem and redirected those funds to support nature-based solutions through our not-for-profit foundation, TreadRight. Another key achievement was the introduction of an industry-first carbon fund, that was designed to invest in initiatives to help us decarbonise our business i.e. the funding went toward solar panels for our offices and HVO fuel tanks for our coach fleets. To date we have invested $2.23million in decarbonisation projects. 

“And, of course, we’ve worked to embed sustainability into every part of the guest journey, from engaging suppliers to sharing educational stories during trips. These milestones represent real progress and a shared passion for making travel more responsible.”

One of our first ever MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, Marta continues to share the traditional art of weaving with guests in Italy today.

Which achievement you most proud of?

“That’s like picking a favorite child! I am of course proud of the fact that collectively as a team we exceeded the targets we set for ourselves across seven of the 11 goals in our 5-year strategy – that is in itself a monumental achievement. But specifically, I’d have to say I am thrilled at how we have embraced full integration and delivery of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences across our brands. Because this is really where the guest gets to see our sustainability strategy at work.

“Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences are completely unique to us, directly advance the UN SDGs which they are validated against to ensure we are indeed achieving sustainable development. They empower guests to connect meaningfully with local communities and conservation efforts and show them what responsible travel can look like. The best part is that they are consistently cited as highlights in guest reviews, proving that sustainability can both enhance the travel experience and be very enjoyable.”

What’s next?

“Sustainability is an ongoing journey and we’re just at the beginning…we are so excited to enter our next phase and build out our new strategy which will continue to tackle some of the issues faced by our industry and the ongoing goals we’re working on, including reaching net zero, addressing overtourism, increasing DEI, and enforcing responsible consumption. Watch this space!” 

Dive into our Impact Report for key achievements and all the details of how we met our sustainability targets.