Tag Archives: sustainability

Sustainability, tourism investments and the rise of the Chinese market were in the spotlight during the first day of World Travel Market London. Investment and education took centre stage during the Ministers’ Summit, which was taking place for the 19th time. Delegates heard how public-private partnerships can be effective mechanisms to grow tourism, with ministers from destinations as varied as the Philippines, Kenya and Ecuador sharing how they are using fiscal incentives to attract investment. Educating the younger generation about the benefits of a career in tourism was also framed as a vital part of the industry’s future success. Representatives from Greece, Portugal and France offered slightly different approaches to education, but all agreed about the need to have a workforce skilled in the specific needs of tourism – as well as the role that the industry should play in promoting tourism as a fulfilling and rewarding career path. The Sustainability Conference at WTM London began with a session entitled ‘Other Worlds Are Possible: Reimagining Tourism’s Purpose’. Independent climate action expert Jeremy Smith spoke about reframing tourism’s role within the climate emergency. He suggested travel companies should think not only in terms of reducing emissions but also how they could enable tourists to see and understand the real-world impacts on communities. Climate literacy “will come through what we feel, not what we read”, he contested. Smith, who launched the Travel Declares a Climate Emergency network in 2019, talked of his own experience charting wildfires near his home in France, which, like flooding, was becoming “less and less exceptional.” He praised companies which were enabling, for instance, hotels to be staffed by refugees and walking tours to be conducted by people …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group)joined the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as its official Sustainability Data. This strategic partnership was designed to strengthen global collaboration on sustainable tourism, leveraging data to shape policies, foster accountability, and accelerate positive impact across the sector. The partnership reinforced OMRAN Group’s commitment to advancing sustainability and driving data-driven decision-making within the global tourism industry. As part of this collaboration, OMRAN Group supported the launch of the Environmental & Social Impact Data Index at the WTTC Global Summit, which took place recently in Rome. The Global Summit, which gathered CEOs and decision-makers from the world’s leading travel and tourism organizations, served as the stage for the unveiling of this groundbreaking index — designed to measure, benchmark, and advance the sector’s impact on people and planet. In a highlight moment of the Summit, the CEO of OMRAN Group delivered a keynote speech entitled “Examples of Excellence,” showcasing the Group’s comprehensive human capital development strategy — #IAmTourism — ” as a pioneering model for empowering and developing human capital, aligning with the national objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and translating the pillars of the National Tourism Strategy into tangible outcomes. The CEO also reaffirmed that this partnership with WTTC represents a pivotal milestone in the Group’s journey to embed sustainability, ESG principles, and In-Country Value at the core of tourism development. By harnessing data-driven insights and fostering global collaboration, OMRAN Group has advanced the creation of destinations that empower communities, celebrate culture, and safeguard the environment. The launch of the Environmental & Social Impact Data Index marks a significant step toward greater transparency and accountability, ensuring that the tourism sector delivers meaningful and measurable economic, …