Bringing climate protection and tourism together: that is what travel providers increasingly want. Growing numbers of tourist destinations are pursuing comprehensive climate protection strategies together with their tourism service providers, developing concepts for environmentally compatible tourism or joining holistic initiatives and programmes.
To support these efforts and promote climate protection, advisers and climate experts from the non-profit climate protection organisation myclimate were present in person at the ITB for the first time in three years. The highlight was the presentation of the myclimate awards for particularly innovative and courageous pioneers of climate protection measures in the tourism sector. The climate protection pioneers include the destinations Sylt and Davos and the Accor hotel group.
Three candidates – one vision
Davos Klosters was recognised for being a “pioneer of sustainable tourism at the destination level”. With “Davos 2030”, the destination has chosen to pursue a net-zero strategy and has set up the “myclimate Climate Fund Davos”. Tourism businesses, guests and companies from trade and commerce, and the municipality itself are joining forces to make voluntary contributions to the Davos climate fund. In addition to a development fund, the programme enables the participating businesses to generate additional income. This is used in turn for operational climate protection measures and to finance climate protection projects.
The island of Sylt was recognised as a “pioneer of a more climate-friendly destination by means of CO2 management and energy audits”. Part of the strategy is the creation of a staff position for sustainability management in addition to operational carbon footprinting. Furthermore, Sylt acts as an educator and integrates tourism service providers as ambassadors. These efforts are rounded off with innovative climate protection programmes for employees and guests alike.
The international Accor hotel group was recognised as a “pioneer in encouraging guests for climate protection in tourism” for its ambitious climate protection targets. Back in 2011, Accor laid the foundation for placing sustainable development at the centre of its activities. By establishing programmes such as “Planet 21” and “Acting Here” and taking part in the “Science-Based Targets” initiative, Accor has already set itself comprehensive targets in the area of climate protection and sustainability. The myclimate Net Zero Carbon Calculator also enables customers to calculate the emissions of their events and overnight stays and to take responsibility for unavoidable emissions at the same time.