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.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Plusgrade | March 01, 2023
Plusgrade, an ancillary revenue solutions provider for the travel industry, announced its extensive partnership with AirAsia. This partnership would empower AirAsia customers to bid for upgrades and reservations for extra space and comfort.
The travel industry is in progress, starting with the relaxation of the travel restrictions for the Asia-Pacific region in early 2023. Ancillary services are an excellent option for enhancing customer experience and revenue generation. They would help airline, rail, and hotel companies with travel returns so that the returns could even exceed those before the pandemic. Travelers are more interested in a streamlined travel experience for innovation and comfort, improving their journey. The ancillary services like upgrades and extra space beside their seats for flight reservations would make travel more pleasant. More space gives them an area to stretch and relax, and the upgrades allow travelers to avail of premium products and services that are generally out of reach.
CEO of Plusgrade, Ken Harris, said, "We are thrilled to join forces with AirAsia to support them in driving meaningful ancillary revenue through incredible traveler experiences." He added, "We look forward to supporting AirAsia as they continue to innovate and develop new products and services for their customers, and to expanding our footprint in the thriving APAC region."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia, Ms. Karen Chan said, "This collaboration will enable us to offer more passengers the chance to access our premium products and services, such as our award-winning premium flatbeds or hot seats with extra legroom. We are confident that our guests will love this innovative and seamless way to enhance their travel experience."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Plusgrade
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Plusgrade, an IT consulting and services provider for the travel industry, offers solutions for ancillary revenue powerhouse, upsell, merchandising, and revenue upgrade platforms for the airline industry worldwide. It assists airline, hospitality, passenger rail, cruise, and financial services companies with revenue generation through excellent customer experience. Its ancillary revenue powerhouse generates massive revenue in a single new revenue opportunity in its platform for its partners. In addition, it enhances travel experiences for its partners' passengers and guests. Finally, its premium upgrade bidding accelerates return on unsold premium inventory for an engaging and effortless customer journey.
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BUSINESS TRAVEL
Internova Travel Group | March 03, 2023
Internova Travel Group, a travel services company, elevated its exclusive Internova SELECT Hotels and Resorts Program for 2023 with additional luxury properties, offering more client options and benefits.
Its travel advisors can introduce their clients to these elevated properties and benefits. With selected hotels and resorts, their clients would affiliate with Internova and utilize the special amenities during their stay. These new partners would enhance the Internova SELECT Hotels and Resorts footprint in popular global tourist destinations. The hotels and resorts are unique in the market with historical significance and awesome surroundings, located in the United States, Italy, France, Greece and Spain. With special amenities, it also provides early check-in and late check-out facility, room upgrade based on availability, hotel amenity, daily complimentary breakfast for two, and in-room Wi-Fi. Consumers can book their stay at the Internova SELECT properties through the travel advisor at Global Travel Collection or Travel Leaders Network and ALTOUR.
Executive Vice President of Partner Relations at Internova, Albert Herrera said, "We continue to strategically evolve the Internova SELECT Hotels & Resorts collection, always fine-tuning our search for properties that represent the best in luxury travel." He added, "Our Internova travel advisors can feel confident that hotels and resorts included in the Internova SELECT brand will provide their clients with an intimate and luxurious vacation experience, meeting the highest standards for comfort and service combined with the most sought-after amenities."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About Internova Travel Group
Headquartered in New York City, Internova Travel Group, a travel services company, connects travel brands for comfortable personal travel and corporate events with enhanced travel experience. With its services, it manages the business, franchise firms and leisure. It has a network of travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations in the U.S., the U.K., Mexico, and Canada, and a presence in about 80 countries. Through its huge network of over 100,000 travel advisors, it reaches travelers worldwide. Its expert travel advisors and executives have transformed the travel experience since 2008. As a result, it received recognition for innovation in digital, print and social marketing in the travel industry.
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