We’ve all heard the phrase “Actions speak louder than words”. Well, at Rennies BCD Travel, we conducted a survey that really got us thinking about the gap between what companies say they’re doing for the environment and what they’re actually doing, especially when it comes to travel. Let’s unpack what we found, shall we?

The Disconnect: Where Companies Stand

So, we spoke to 112 travel buyers and guess what? While a whopping 82% said their companies have general sustainability goals, only 45% have ones specific to travel. It’s like saying you’re into healthy eating but still devouring a cheeseburger every other day.

Why this big gap, you ask? A majority of travel buyers said that the extra cost of some sustainable options is a huge stumbling block. It’s like wanting to go organic but balking at the price tags. And for the travellers themselves, nearly 70% feel they’re kept in the dark, getting zero or rare communication about sustainable travel from their teams.

Although half the companies say they encourage sustainable travel, our survey showed that only 20% of business travellers even know about their company’s sustainable travel goals. So, are companies treating sustainability as a checkbox to tick off or as a genuine commitment?

Where the Change Starts

Some of the easiest options to make travel more eco-friendly include taking fewer trips, opting for trains over planes, and direct flights to cut back on fuel. Also, get this, 30% of travellers are willing to shell out more to offset carbon or opt for sustainable fuel. If that doesn’t say ‘commitment’, what does?

The Global Picture:

Interestingly, how companies approach sustainable travel varies by region. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, they focus on reducing travel volumes and choosing trains. North American firms are all about economy flights and shared transportation, while Asia Pacific companies are pushing for direct flights and eco-friendly hotels.

Overcoming Obstacles:

We also found that businesses feel the pain when it comes to things like educating travellers on sustainability practices (47% see this as a challenge) and a lack of standard measurements for sustainable programmes (45%). That’s like going to the gym without a fitness tracker and any sort of plan; how do you measure success?

Closing Thoughts: Time for Action!

So, where do we go from here? Sustainability should be more than just a trend or a buzzword. It’s about meaningful changes that benefit not just us, but the planet. It’s high time we closed the gap between what we say and what we do. And hey, if you’re one of the companies looking to step up your game in sustainable travel, remember: we at Rennies BCD Travel are always here to help you navigate the way.

That’s all the tea, folks! Let’s be the change we wish to see in the travel industry. Until next time!