In 2019, Expedia Group joined hands with UNESCO and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to launch the first chapter of the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge. Since then, the UNESCO Pledge has expanded, with major chains such as Iberostar and Accor signing on, fostering connections across the travel industry to create a travel ecosystem that supports sustainable tourism. The UNESCO Pledge now has 4,200 hotels committed to taking action and a global website has also been launched for hotels to sign up to the pledge.
With the world gathering at COP26 in Glasgow, travel businesses are taking further responsibility toward sustainable travel. A trio of organizations have recently joined The UNESCO Pledge.
Atout France: The French tourism development agency has joined the pledge, with an aim to protect the environment, local cultures and the communities that depend on travel to thrive. Atout France strives to ensure that travelers explore the country responsibly and sustainably, so that future generations will also have the same opportunity.
Consell de Formentera: The local government of the island of Formentera will focus on attracting visitors who respect the environment and generate a return for the island’s society. It will also focus on promoting sustainability with new and positive experiences in destinations, including the protection of Posidonia, the promotion of sustainable mobility, and reducing the environmental and cultural impacts of travel, including the elimination of plastic bags.
VisitScotland: Scotland’s national tourism organization aims to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the country. VisitScotland works closely with the tourism industry and a range of stakeholders to influence the growth of Scotland’s visitor economy through visitors’ activities domestically and internationally. Responsible tourism is a key focus for the organization. It is committed to protecting the natural assets which are vital to Scotland’s iconic identity through marketing, partnerships and advice. Scotland’s UNESCO Trail was launched in October, designed specifically to support goals to make Scotland a responsible tourism destination.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Expedia Group have also signed a further MoU extending their strategic partnership to a third year, with promoting sustainable tourism and The UNESCO Pledge as one of the key pillars of cooperation. Around 600 hotels in Thailand are signed on to The UNESCO Pledge.
Partners participate in direct, hands-on reporting to UNESCO and work in tandem to share existing efforts and create plans to support ongoing improvement in their local communities. With the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, online education and training will be offered to strengthen commitments.
For more information, visit www.unescosustainable.travel.
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