The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), BCD Travel China, and Colorful Earth have officially launched the “Guidelines for Developing Corporate Sustainable Business Travel Strategies.” This comprehensive guide is part of the partnership signed last year, which includes training programs aimed at aiding corporate clients, travel managers, and sustainability professionals in embracing and implementing sustainable travel practices.
As the world continues to rely on business travel for building trust, fostering collaborations, and forming partnerships, the environmental impacts associated with travel cannot be overlooked. Carbon emissions and water resource consumption from transportation and accommodation are significant contributors to global environmental challenges. In light of the escalating issues of climate change and biodiversity loss, the need for sustainable business travel has never been more pressing.
The partnership underscores the importance of collective action in addressing global sustainability challenges, particularly on how corporates can effectively minimize negative impacts while amplifying positive contributions throughout their business travels.
GSTC, BCD Travel China, and Colorful Earth’s partnership is designed to address these challenges by providing businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to develop holistically sustainable corporate travel strategies. The Guidelines for Developing Corporate Sustainable Business Travel Strategies, unveiled today, equips companies with the resources to measure, manage, and mitigate the environmental and social impacts of their travel activities.
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[The guide will be available in English soon.]
“Companies can make significant strides toward achieving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals by adopting the strategies outlined in this guide. We believe that sustainable business travel is not just an option but a necessity for a resilient and responsible future,” said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
“We are thrilled to partner with Colorful Earth and the GSTC to deliver this invaluable resource,” said Jonathan Kao, managing director for BCD Travel North Asia. “By adopting sustainable business travel strategies, companies can not only mitigate their environmental footprint but also contribute to their overall ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) objectives and create long-term value.”
“To maximize the positive impacts of business travel and minimize its negative impacts on the environment and society, the foremost and perhaps most critical action a company should take, which is also one of the most important steps, is to develop a sustainable business travel strategy and manage this issues systematically and holistically. ” said Koko Tang, Founder of Colorful Earth and Board Member of GSTC
Through this guide and the accompanying training programs expected, GSTC, BCD Travel China, and Colorful Earth are committed to supporting businesses in their efforts to reduce negative impacts while enhancing positive contributions to sustainable development. This partnership represents a significant step forward in creating a more sustainable future for business travel worldwide.
About BCD Travel
BCD Travel helps companies travel smart and achieve more. We drive program adoption, cost savings and talent retention through digital experiences that simplify business travel. Our 13,000 dedicated team members service clients in 170+ countries as we shape a sustainable future for business travel. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com
About BCD Group
BCD Group is a market leader in the travel industry. The privately owned company was founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen and consists of BCD Travel, its subsidiaries BCD Meetings & Events and Advito, and Park ‘N Fly. For more information, visit www.bcdgroup.com
About Colorful Earth
Founded in 2022, Colorful Earth focuses on sustainable tourism, biodiversity, and issues of diversity, equality, and inclusion. With a robust international network of experts, Colorful Earth is committed to disseminating knowledge related to sustainability and providing enterprises with systematic services for sustainable transformation, including but not limited to assessment, strategy development, and capacity building. Additionally, Colorful Earth serves as the training partner for the GSTC in China, as well as the secretariat for the Pollinator Protectors Alliance (PPA) and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Division of the Enterprise Financial Management Association of China.
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
