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
COMMERCIAL TRAVEL, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
GO7 | February 08, 2023
On February 7, 2023, GO7, formerly 777 Travel, launched its new brand as part of a larger strategy to connect its processes, teams, and corporate portfolio around its central mission to transform travel brands by putting control back in their hands. The launch of GO7 is a significant milestone in a multi-year plan to re-architect traditional airline solutions behind the scenes. It follows the acquisition of Air Black Box, WorldTicket, and AeroCRS by 777 Partners.
GO7 solidifies 777 Partners' innovative travel technology strategy, centered on developing new commerce channels for airlines and travel companies and enhancing next-generation distribution, interlining, retailing, and passenger connectivity.
Over 185 network, low-cost, regional, and rail operations use the company's travel technology solutions. These include global ticketing and distribution services, loyalty and payment platforms, next-generation passenger service systems, and baggage, interlining, and disruption solutions that help airlines enable customers' connected journeys and efficiently generate revenue.
GO7 is poised to pioneer industry restructuring at a time when it is essential for travel brands to transform, and its leadership team is committed to democratizing air travel and reimagining the travel experience.
Meir Hadassi Turner, Chief Executive Officer of GO7, shared, "There's more passion and desire for travel from consumers than ever before, and demand is surging from new places and new operators. GO7 is an exciting moment for us and a key milestone in our journey to help airlines and travel brands meet this demand, generate more dynamic experiences and accelerate revenue growth without adding layers of complexity." He added, "This moment also recognises our valued customers and partners who have supported this journey and will be at the centre of everything through our next chapter."
(Source – Cision PR Newswire)
About GO7
London-based GO7 represents a fresh approach to travel technology, with the belief that airlines and other travel operators should regain control through flexible, customer-centric technology. The path to GO7 began with the acquisitions of AeroCRS, WorldTicket, and AirBlackBox by its investment firm, 777 Partners. The suite of integrated solutions provided by GO7 enables airlines to transform their commercial operations through modern, adaptable technology flexibly designed as a "one-stop" or custom solution. Over 185 airlines worldwide already utilize the firm's services, proving its foundations are solid
Read More
HOSPITALITY TRENDS
SkyTouch | January 13, 2023
Wrkspot, an innovative hotel operations app, has integrated with Choice Hotels' property management system - choiceADVANTAGE.
The integration is via SkyTouch Technology's cloud-based/CONNECT API platform, making communications and housekeeping management capabilities much more effective for the country's leading hotels.
Wrkspot has created a revolutionary software suite for hotel portfolio management by combining human resource management (HRM), operations management, and communication into a single app. As a result, the application frees hotel managers from the mundane tasks of managing and engaging staff, reducing costs and streamlining operations while enhancing compliance and safety.
With this new cloud-based integration in place, Choice-branded hotels can use their proprietary choiceADVANTAGE PMS to update the room status automatically. The automation allows the direct flow of detailed room information from choiceADVANTAGE to Wrkspot and eliminates the effort of downloading and transferring files.
The integration is also a breakthrough for Wrkspot and is expected to result in significant growth for the company. Choice Hotels, which manages over 7,000 hotels worldwide under its various brands, recently acquired Radisson Hotels Americas.
Wrkspot offers a training platform and a document management system, which are essential for hotels that want to go digital. It also lets managers take care of their hotel portfolios by allowing them to see what's happening in each hotel and compare and analyze trends across properties.
Raja Epsilon, Founder and CEO of Wrkspot, said, "This integration means that WrkSpot is now a more viable option for Choice Hotel-branded properties that want to use it." He further added, "The integration provides seamless flow of PMS data to the WrkSpot system, enabling real-time data sharing across housekeeping, maintenance and front desk. This enhances efficiency and fosters better collaboration."
Source - GlobeNewswire
About SkyTouch Technology
SkyTouch Technology offers a cloud-based hotel management system that enables hotel organizations to reach their most essential strategic goals i.e. to achieve growth, advance operating performance, and enhance the guest experience, all while adapting to changing customer demands. The company delivers insight and control of operations with real-time, actionable business analytics that can enhance the hotel guest experience, decision-making, and performance at the property, owner, and management company levels.
Read More