BUSINESS TRAVEL
prnewswire | March 24, 2023
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the total water usage of the global Travel & Tourism sector.
In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment.
The findings were launched today at the United Nations in New York at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
Direct Water Use
Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC, revealed that Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint is just 0.6% of the global water use according to the latest figures (2021).
In 2019, when the sector was at its peak, the sector's total water footprint was only 50% higher, but still less than 1% of the global total at 0.9%.
Travel & Tourism's direct water use is significantly lower – in 2019 it was 0.2% of the global total and has fallen by half to just 0.1% of the global total.
Much of the sector's water use is indirect, through its supply chain, with agriculture and food production accounting for two-thirds of Travel & Tourism's entire water footprint.
Between 2010 and 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector in Europe and Africa reduced direct water use. In Europe, direct water use fell by 8% and in Africa, direct water use by the sector fell by 6%.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: "This ground-breaking new data reveals our sector's water consumption for the first time ever, revealing that Travel & Tourism uses less than 1% of the water used around the world, with the overwhelming majority of that usage coming from the sector's supply chain.
"The data also shows that whilst the sector has grown economically around the world, its direct-use water intensity has decreased.
"The data is the most in depth study of the sector's water use, and like the world-first climate footprint data we released at our Global Summit in Riyadh last year, we can also reveal individual countries' Travel & Tourism sector's water footprints. This will enable governments to work with the sector to further reduce water usage."
Water Intensity
The water intensity of Travel & Tourism per unit of GDP has also fallen since 2010, across both direct and indirect use.
In 2010, the sector used 0.57m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy. In 2019 this fell by 19% to reach 0.46m³ of water for every $1 contributed to the global economy.
In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with revised figures.
This research was made possible thanks to the partnership between WTTC and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center. Under the Saudi green Initiative, more than 60 initiatives have been launched in the past year, representing more than $186 billion of investment in the green economy.
About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.
Read More
DESTINATION AND TOURISM
businesswire | April 19, 2023
Emburse, the global leader in spend management, and OMNIA Partners, the largest and most experienced purchasing organization for public sector procurement, have entered into an agreement to offer, without a formal bidding and contracting process, Emburse travel and expense management solutions to the more than 115,000 state and local government agencies and educational institutions participating in the OMNIA Partners cooperative.
“Emburse is already a trusted spend optimization partner to more than 500 higher education institutions, public-sector agencies and nonprofits, ranging from some of the country’s largest universities, to city and county governments, regional charities and faith-based organizations,” said Eric Friedrichsen, CEO of Emburse. “This agreement underscores our commitment to help organizations whose budgets are under constant pressure deliver on their commitment to use public and donor funds wisely.”
“We are so excited to announce our partnership with Emburse through a valuable program awarded by Region 4 ESC – TX,” says Doug Looney, Senior Vice President, Public Sector Sales for OMNIA Partners. “This new cooperative contract will provide participating agencies with travel expense management solutions that they haven't had through the program in the past.”
About Emburse
Emburse is a modern spend management company offering solutions that revolutionize the way organizations manage employee expenses, process invoices and make payments. Emburse humanizes work by empowering business travelers, finance professionals, and CFOs to eliminate manual, time-consuming tasks, so they can focus on what matters most.
Its innovative offerings, which are tailored to meet the unique business needs of specific industries, company sizes, and geographies, are trusted by more than 9 million users in more than 120 countries. Over 18,000 customers, from start-ups to global enterprises, including Bosch, Grant Thornton, Telefónica, Lufthansa Systems, and Toyota, rely on Emburse to make faster, smarter decisions, improve compliance, and optimize spend -- making corporate spend deliver meaningful value for the organization.
Emburse is recognized as a leader in expense management and accounts payable automation by analyst firm IDC, and has received multiple awards for innovation and its high levels of customer satisfaction.
Read More
TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Accor | May 18, 2023
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, in partnership with Erth Real Estate Company, today announced that it will open three new hotels in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of a new master planned development project. The forthcoming luxury hospitality community will include a 230-key Raffles hotel, a 250-key Sofitel Serviced Residence, and a 60-villa MGallery resort, all set to open by 2027. The multi-faceted community will also include office towers, residential towers, and retail space, all built around a centrally located garden area.
Erth Real Estate Company, the premium real estate developer across Saudi Arabia, is the owner and developer of the 4.2 billion Saudi Riyal mixed-use project at Al Yasmin District and has signed with Accor for hotel management within the two towers of this development. Accor will provide hotel management services and support from several brands within its world-leading brand portfolio.
Raffles Riyadh and Sofitel Extended Stay at Al Yasmin District, both located at King Fahad Road intersecting with King Salman Road and Al Olaya Street, will reside within sparkling glass, 34-storey and 42-storey towers – creating an iconic presence in the city's skyline. The towers, which will enjoy convenient 18-minute access to King Khalid International Airport by car, will have a clear view of KAFD, New Murabba, Avenues Mall, SAB Tower and Tamkeen Tower. Ample green space, including lush gardens, will also surround both buildings. MGallery Resort Riyadh, only 20 minutes away from Riyadh city center, will be developed in the Al Waseel district, where some luxury private resorts are located, and will be situated in a wadi surrounded by date farms. With 60 low-rise villas, it will be an ideal attraction for families and guests looking for a break from the busy city center and immersion into a vibrant neighborhood of Riyadh.
Speaking at the signing event, Saud Abdullah Al Rajhi, the Group Managing Director of Erth Real Estate stated: "The company's vision of becoming a preferred real estate brand in Saudi Arabia is fully aligned with leading first-class projects that meet market expectations and unleash the economic potential of the Kingdom. Therefore, Erth is pleased to expand its relationship with Accor by adding new assets to our hospitality portfolio."
"As part of Accor's ultra-luxury division, Raffles is honored to soon open a second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh," said Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express. "As a brand that is highly selective of the destinations where we choose to develop, we are confident that vibrance and growth surrounding the city of Riyadh is the perfect location to offer our guests the true Raffles experience – one that is celebrated, authentic, and renowned for its legendary service. We look forward to welcoming new guests and those returning as family to Raffles Riyadh."
"On behalf of both the Sofitel and MGallery brands, we are delighted to contribute to a diverse community of luxury hospitality choices for business and leisure visitors, particularly those who wish to settle in and stay a little longer to enjoy the dynamic energy of the cosmopolitan city of Riyadh," said Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems. "As an ambassador of French culture around the world, Sofitel will bring the art-de-vivre that has been so successful at our two other Sofitel destinations in the Kingdom. Guests will also have the chance to discover the culture and a vibrant neighbourhood at the new MGallery, with the property providing sumptuous resort style villas and the luxury of feeling of a home away from home."
Erth's new luxury hotels in Riyadh are being imagined by some of the world's top designers. The lead architect is Foster + Partners, a global studio for sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design, founded by Norman Foster in 1967. With offices across the world, the practice works as a single entity that is both ethnically and culturally diverse. Additional consultants will provide expertise on spa, art, technology, and food & beverage.
Erth's relationship with Accor started a few years ago with a prestigious development in the region - Raffles Hotel and Residences Jeddah - which consists of two towers. In one tower, a world-class luxury hotel; in the other, a stunning set of exclusive private residences, unlike anything Jeddah has known before, set against a rich backdrop of Hejazi culture and tradition.
Since the announcement of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Erth and Accor have both played a key role in the development of tourism through several existing and upcoming projects in key locations across the Kingdom. Accor has been present in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and has contributed to the development of the Holy destination of Makkah, counting over 9,000 rooms with direct access to the Haram.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Accor currently operates 42 properties (16,000+ rooms) and has a robust development pipeline of 34 properties which will add approximately 7,000 rooms to the Group's portfolio by 2027. Properties expected to arrive in the Kingdom in 2023 include the much-anticipated Raffles Jeddah, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh, Sofitel Riyadh, Movenpick Waad Al Shamal-Turaif and Novotel Makkah Thakher City Residences. Among its Saudi Arabia portfolio, Accor is leading the way with positive hospitality experiences and environmentally sound development and operational practices. The new master-planned community in Riyadh will be developed with ethical, social, and environmental engagement that will contribute to a healthier environment while delivering value to its stakeholders, including the guests of the three new luxury hotels.
About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris and on the OTC Market in the United States.
Read More