CSR and Sustainability

🌎 Ten leading European tourism and travel organizations convened in Gothenburg, Sweden, on July 8, 2025, for the Rhodes Forum. They emphasized sustainability and climate action, aiming for a climate-neutral tourism sector by 2050. Discussions included support for MSMEs, better EU legislation, and easier funding access. Gothenburg's sustainable urban model was highlighted. Key events were strategic workshops, case studies, and site visits, like Liseberg Park. The forum reaffirmed the industry's commitment to tackling climate challenges and promoting public-private partnerships.

🌍 Rebecca Thompson, CEO of Sustainable Travel Technologies, wins the 2025 P.E.A. Award for Travel during London Climate Action Week. Founded in 2011, the P.E.A. Awards highlight environmental and social progress. Rebecca's company, a B Corp, develops ecolodgical, a software to help accommodations reduce carbon emissions. The initiative emphasizes the necessity of decarbonization in tourism, aligning with anti-greenwashing standards. Jarvis Smith, P.E.A. Awards founder, commends the winners as pioneering sustainability superheroes.

📈 Neil Jacobs led Six Senses to expand from 8 to 27 hotels, with 38 more in development, including locations like Bhutan and the Caribbean. In 2019, he facilitated its $300 million acquisition by IHG Hotels & Resorts. He championed sustainability, introducing local food sourcing, plastic-free practices, and biophilic design. Six Senses Place, a social wellness club, will open in London this year. Neil plans a new venture, focusing on innovative ideas in hospitality.

🌎 Trip.com Group has launched a feature providing carbon emissions data for major travel services, supporting sustainable travel goals. In 2024, the company facilitated over 100 million sustainable travel orders and produced 457 MWh of clean electricity. The Country Retreat Programme expanded to 34 sites, creating 40,000 job opportunities and boosting incomes by USD 5,500. Women represent 57.1% of the workforce, with 32.7% in senior roles. The company targets carbon neutrality by 2050.

✈️ EcoCeres and British Airways signed a multi-year deal to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 400,000 metric tonnes. This equates to flying 240,000 passengers between London and New York. EcoCeres will use 100% waste-based biomass feedstock. By 2030, British Airways aims to power 10% of flights with SAF. In 2024, SAF comprised 2.7% of their fuel use, contributing to a 13% reduction in carbon intensity since 2019.

🍳 Korean fine-dining restaurant Shia in Washington, D.C., aims to go plastic-free since November 2024. Over seven months, they eliminated 229-351 kg of plastic waste. The report, in partnership with OpenTable, suggests alternatives like muslin fabric, beeswax, and reusable containers. Transition costs are initially higher but decrease over time. Shia plans to release a financial report after one year to inspire sustainable practices across the restaurant industry.

☀️ Groupe GM collaborates with Hei Poa to launch a luxurious sun care line, featuring SPF 50 products. 🌊 Available in 40ml, these items use up to 96% natural-origin ingredients, including Monoi oil. Offering UVA/UVB protection and 24-hour hydration, the line is perfect for pregnancy and nourishes skin and hair. 🌿 Sustainable packaging aligns with Groupe GM's Care About Earth initiative, ensuring an environmentally responsible approach to skincare.

📈 Who? Nicolò Rolle, CCO of Lybra Tech (Zucchetti Group), questions the sustainability practices in the hotel industry. What? He highlights issues like "eco-branding" and the need for operational changes over mere certifications. How? By adopting energy and water efficiency, minimizing food waste, smarter staffing, and ethical procurement. Why? To ensure sustainability is integral to operations rather than just a marketing tactic. Challenges include short-term focus, fragmented tech, and transparency fears.

✈️ Since 1 June 2025, Lufthansa Group partners with Airbus to implement the 'Sustainable Corporate Value Fare' for all employee flights within Germany. This initiative allows Airbus to offset up to 30% of CO₂ emissions using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This collaboration, which began in early 2024, aims to enhance sustainability in business travel. Lufthansa Group offers various options, including SAF bulk deals, to help companies invest in sustainable aviation.