As governments increasingly recognize the importance of Travel & Tourism to the global economy, they are also beginning to make it part of their vision for addressing some of the world’s foremost challenges…
As governments increasingly recognize the importance of Travel & Tourism to the global economy, they are also beginning to make it part of their vision for addressing some of the world’s foremost challenges – bridging the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ and protecting our natural, social and cultural heritage.
In response, world leaders are focusing on the problem of how to achieve long-term sustainable development – pursuing needed economic growth in the present, while preserving the natural and human environment on which quality of life and future growth depend.
Consumers, investors, employees, governments and the media – all the different stakeholders who have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line – now believe that business has social responsibilities that go well beyond its commercial responsibilities and its traditional role of wealth generation and profit-making.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has increasingly been focusing its attention on the importance of corporate citizenship, or corporate social responsibility (CSR) as it is more commonly known. In line with its efforts to ensure that the industry is accountable for the natural resources it uses, and is aware of and responsible for its social and cultural impacts on destinations and communities, WTTC is today launching a new report, Corporate Social Leadership in the Travel & Tourism Industry.
To mark the report’s official launch, and to demonstrate that CSR also makes good business sense, six WTTC Members will present examples of best practice in CSR during a seminar entitled ‘The Moral Maze – Turning a Sense of Moral Responsibility into a Profitable Business’.
Case studies range from Avis Europe’s commitment to actively combat global warming by taking concrete steps to ensure that its business is carbon neutral, to Abercrombie & Kent’s partnering with local communities for conservation, and Worldspan’s programme for direct employee participation in community initiatives.
Panellists include: Paul Blackney, CEO, Worldspan; Volker Buhring, HR Managing Director, ACCOR; Pia Heidenmark, Director Responsible Business, Redizor – Radisson SAS; Phil Purslow, Group Loss Prevention Manager, Six Continents; Paul Wenck, Director of Operations, Abercrombie & Kent Destination Management Group; and Chris Wermann, Director of Communications, Avis Europe. This report can be seen on our website under Publications (Publications).
The World Travel & Tourism Council is the forum for global business leaders in Travel & Tourism comprising the presidents, chairs and CEOs of 100 of the world’s foremost companies. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
