Sustainability, travel and the pandemic

What does it mean to be green in travel, or to travel responsibility, or to practice sustainability in travel? As senior editor Jeri Clausing notes, sustainability is not a new discussion within travel, but it’s changed during the pandemic. At the beginning of the pause in travel, many companies were taking the time to review their commitment to sustainability. Some destinations were giving their visitation numbers a hard look to avoid the negative impacts of overtourism. Others have been upgrading their plans for sustainable fuel or carbon reduction and minimizing food waste. In this episode, Jeri and and host Rebecca Tobin are talking with Toronto-based Shannon Guihan, who oversees sustainability efforts for the Travel Corporation. We’re talking about the Future of Tourism Coalition --the Travel Corporation was one of the initial signatories, but now more than 500 companies have signed on. We also address specific initiatives within travel, mask waste -- and the surprising carbon footprint of buffets.   Related reading: Focus on sustainability: Travel’s green shoots: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Focus-on-Sustainability-The-pandemics-green-shoot From the window seat column: Travel’s tug of war between sustainability and fun  https://www.travelweekly.com/Arnie-Weissmann/Travels-tug-of-war-between-sustainability-and-fun The great – new – overtourism debate https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/new-overtourism-debate  Rethinking sustainable travel during the pandemic https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Rethinking-travel-sustainable-travel Ted Turner’s legacy https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Ted-Turners-legacy TreadRight Foundation: http://www.treadright.org  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.