TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Travel curators and tourism boards have been actively promoting sustainability over the past few years. Especially in the GCC, the governments are making extra efforts to ensure that sustainability becomes a way of life. TRAVTALK takes a look at a cross section of travel agents/ curators and tourism boards on their take on conforming to sustainable travel and tourism.
Jamal Abdulnasser, CEO, Cozmo Travel
How you as a travel curator/ tourism board share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism?
As a travel curator, it is important to share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism by promoting sustainable travel options and practices. This can include educating travellers about reducing waste, conserving energy, and minimizing their impact on the environment. Sustainable tourism goes hand-in-hand with localisation. Therefore, collaborating with local stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism practices is vitaly effective.
Since Europe is one of the key destinations for sustainable travel, how does this impact the GCC region travellers?
Europe is considered a key destination for sustainable travel, with many destinations promoting eco-friendly and responsible tourism practices. This has a positive impact on GCC region travellers, who are increasingly interested in sustainable travel. By promoting sustainable travel options and highlighting destinations that prioritize responsible tourism practices, GCC travellers can enjoy a more fulfilling travel experience.
The young GCC travellers seek sustainable travel/ tourism more than the other generation travellers? Comments on this.
It is true that the younger generation of GCC travellers, particularly Gen Z, are more interested in sustainable travel and tourism than other generations. This is due to their greater awareness of environmental issues and a desire to travel responsibly. They are likely to seek out destinations and accommodations that prioritize sustainable practices and support local communities.
Ayman Al Qudwa, General Manager, Falcon Travel, Qatar
How you as a travel curator/ tourism board share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism?
Yes, travel is enjoyable and eye-opening. However, it can bring damage to both, the environment and to the people. In addition, it is essential that all travellers have good intentions when they travel, not all make well-informed decisions with their destination’s best interest in mind. Therefore, sustainable tourism has become an afterthought rather than a norm. To help you travel more responsibly, we are here to walk you through the benefits of eco-tourism and how you can make a difference.
Since Europe is one of the key destinations for sustainable travel, how does this impact the GCC region travellers?
Has COVID-19 changed our lives forever? I believe, yes! It is the time for GCC travellers to discover the best sustainable tourism destinations in Europe, to visit destinations rewarded by the European Commission for their commitment to protecting the environment, enhancing local heritage, and developing local activities that respect human beings and the environment. One of the key elements GCC travellers look for are open spaces, where their families can roam freely. GCC travellers’ most preferred destinations is Europe, as they provide them every single aspect that they are looking for, such as the natural habitat, the and pure air.
The young GCC travellers seek sustainable travel/ tourism more than the other generation travellers? Comments on this.
Yes, I totally agree. Today, the youth are “the new visitors in the tourism market”. Therefore, today we have witnessed that how is the importance of this market segment and how lies in the fact not only that it is becoming larger but also it represents the market of the future in the GCC countries. It is interesting to see the shift in terms of the younger generations, they seek authentic experiences, want to be involved or as we term it ‘experiential tourists’ who will immerse themselves whilst being responsible for the future. They often become an example in many ways to travellers today, in GCC we see this trend.
Ashiya Nazar, Director GCC, Akbar Travels
How you as a travel curator/ tourism board share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism?
Akbar Travels is committed to promoting responsible tourism by incorporating sustainable practices in our travel packages. We recognize the importance of protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving cultural heritage. One of the major concern is overcrowding because of seasonal travel, so we create packages for throughout the year travel with different pricing and promote to the right customers. Akbar Travels actively shares the significance of sustainable travel by educating their clients about responsible tourism practices.
Since Europe is one of the key destinations for sustainable travel, how does this impact the GCC region travellers?
GCC region travellers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly travel options, especially within the luxury travel sector in the Middle East, due to Europe’s emphasis on sustainable tourism. A significant portion of GCC residents are willing to pay extra for responsible, eco-friendly, and sustainable tourism experiences. The initiatives taken by the UAE government and its neighbours such as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to drive towards sustainable practices places the whole region on the map as the most committed towards preserving the planet for a better tomorrow. GCC travellers are able to adapt to the specific requirements in Europe at any time.
The young GCC travellers seek sustainable travel/ tourism more than the other generation travellers? Comments on this.
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant shift in GenZ’s travel preferences, with many opting for volunteer travel and eco-friendly escapes. Like other age groups, GenZ travellers are conscious of their impact and strive to “give back” to the communities they visit and protect the planet through their decisions. Overall, Akbar Travels is adopting sustainable tourism practices to ensure that tourism is not only environmentally responsible but also socially and culturally sustainable. We aim to create travel packages that benefit both travellers and local communities, while also protecting the planet.
Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel
How you as a travel curator/ tourism board share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism?
At ATS Travel, as part of our CSR initiative and as part of empowering our clients to contribute towards the goal of “Net Zero”, we launched our sustainability drive under the brand – “ATS Travel – Go Green” last year. We have invested considerable amount of money to track and facilitate carbon emission reports to be given to our clients. Whilst carbon emission reports for air travel is quite straight forward and easy to derive from the GDS, it’s challenging when it comes to calculating carbon emission reports for hotel stay, conferences, car hire, transfers, and meals. Today, we are able to capture the carbon emission effected for each of the touch points.
Since Europe is one of the key destinations for sustainable travel, how does this impact the GCC region travellers?
We see a positive generational shift towards understanding the importance of contributing towards making this planet a safe place to live for the future generations from most of our customers. So, when the rationale of certain challenges associated with travel to destinations that are sustainable are explained to our customers, they understand and readily accept them. Having said that the growing popularity of sustainable travel in Europe is having significant impact on our GCC travellers. For instance, GCC travellers are inspired to adopt more sustainable travel practices themselves after experiencing sustainable tourism in Europe.
The young GCC travellers seek sustainable travel/ tourism more than the other generation travellers? Comments on this.
Younger generations around the world are generally more concerned about environmental issues than the older generation(s), as the awareness to this challenge has peaked during their prime life time. Besides, many GenZ activists like Greta Thunberg, Isra Hirsi, Autum Peltier, Bruno Rodriguez, and Helena Gualinga have also contributed to building this awareness among GenZ worldwide. And that is why GenZ is more likely to prioritize sustainability in shaping their lifestyle. GenZ travellers in the GCC region are growing up in a world where sustainable travel is becoming more mainstream and accessible.
Aisling McDermott, Manager, Middle East & Asia, Tourism Ireland
How you as a travel curator/ tourism board share the importance of sustainable travel and tourism?
Ireland is green by nature. We love sharing our beautiful island with the world. However, our policy is to do it in a sustainable way that leaves no trace. It is the ambition of Tourism Ireland and the Irish Government to make Ireland a world leader in sustainable travel and tourism. Businesses across the island of Ireland are being recognised by Sustainable Travel Ireland, Green Hospitality and Origin Green for committing to sustainable standards and practices. Hundreds more have become members of Leave No Trace Ireland to limit the impacts that come with outdoor recreation. Lonely Planet recently awarded the Burren Ecotourism Network in County Clare its Community Award – Best in Travel.
Since Europe is one of the key destinations for sustainable travel, how does this impact the GCC region travellers?
GCC travellers to Ireland are making smarter sustainable choices when it comes to the accommodation they book and the activities they do while on holidays across the island of Ireland. Activities include seaweed foraging with The Sea Gardener in County Waterford, and Atlantic Irish Seaweed in County Kerry, offering seaweed discovery courses and workshops. Night sea-kayaking with Atlantic Sea Kayaking in West Cork offering a full immersion into the natural beauty of Ireland and hiking in the Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland with Slow Adventure Tours for adventure seekers. Belfast in Northern Ireland was ranked eighth in the world in the 2022 Global Destinations Sustainability Index.
The young GCC travellers seek sustainable travel/ tourism more than the other generation travellers? Comments on this.
Young GCC travellers are aware that accommodation contributes 20 per cent of all tourism-related carbon emissions. Ireland is seeing trends of sustainable accommodation bookings from the GenZ traveller in the GCC. Ireland has a wide range of sustainable accommodation options, most popular being our castle retreats in Killeavy Estate in County Armagh, where luxury and sustainability go hand-in-hand, Ashford Castle, a found member of Beyond Green, a curated portfolio of the world’s most sustainable hotels and Castle Leslie Estate, the first hotel in Ireland to switch to BioLPG, an innovative new renewable fuel that significantly reduces carbon emissions.
GenZ travellers go for sustainable ways
Elmira Heshmati, Founder and CEO, Elaxiom Travel and Tourism LLC Dubai
Promoting sustainable travel and tourism is essential for creating responsible and meaningful travel experiences. At Elaxiom Travels, we prioritize educating our clients on the importance of sustainable travel and encourage them to make responsible choices that positively impact the environment and local communities by recommending eco-friendly accommodations and activities that support sustainable tourism practices. We also suggest destinations that are known for sustainable tourism initiatives. Global Destination Sustainability Index study finds Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Germany and Spain as the most sustainable cities in Europe.
Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO, Al Naboodah Travel and Tourism
Sustainable tourism has become an important concept for travel and tourism industry. We are becoming more aware of the danger that climate change possesses. The travel and tourism industry is taking the necessary steps to motivate and educate the public about the benefits of sustainable travel and tourism. 61 per cent of the UAE residents are willing to pay more for responsible, eco-friendly, and sustainable outbound travel to destinations like Europe, Turkey, and Scotland. Similarly, around 65 per cent of people in the Emirates consider it important to choose travel companies that have a strong sustainability policy.
Daniel Rosado Bayón, Tourism Counsellor GCC – Director, Spain Tourism Office
Sustainability is a word, a concept that we are seeing and hearing more and more over the time. But it’s not something new for Spain Tourism, where several years back, we developed the sustainable strategy for 2030. For us, it’s essential that the promotion of the destination is sustainable in the environmental aspect as well as in the economic and social aspect. This way we are creating an integrated industry where tourists and locals are equally satisfied. With the new products created, which looks to satisfy the new desires of travellers, such as ecotourism, nature or rural tourism among others, we are preserving our destination in many ways.
Michael Tauschmann, Director, Austrian National Tourist Office
In order to ensure the sustainability of Austria as a holiday destination in the medium and long term, a transformation is necessary that takes equal account of ecological, socio-cultural and economic needs. Therefore, the Austrian National Tourist Office has set itself the goal of working together with all stakeholders on a sustainable and future-oriented development of tourism in Austria. The basis for all activities is the sustainability strategy developed in 2022. Our vision is to inspire the tourism industry and to take important steps towards the sustainable transformation of tourism and to implement appropriate drivers and ideas.
Matthias Albrecht, Director GCC, Switzerland Tourism
Beautiful nature and authentic experiences are at the core of Switzerland. In promoting sustainable travel we just add a small but important contribution to keep the world and Switzerland a loveable place – for many generations to come. So far over 1,700 travel suppliers have signed up for our Swisstainable program, which aims to make Switzerland the most sustainable travel destination in the world. GCC travelers especially enjoy unspoilt green nature. Furthermore, many of them, also Arabs!, love to take sustainable transportation like panoramic trains, trams and cable cars to reach their destination or just enjoy the travelling itself.
Yamina Sofo, Director Sales and Marketing, German National Tourist Office GCC
Germany has long since put sustainability at the forefront of its plans and campaigns, recognising the importance of leading the charge as a destination to promote and encourage eco-friendly travel. The past few years have witnessed an increase in interest in sustainable travel from the GCC market, hence our decision to run campaigns such as ‘Feel Good’, which drives messaging around environmentally considerate options suitable for the market. While young travellers are typically well-versed with sustainability, we find that sustainable travel seekers from the GCC are diverse in age, nationality, and traveller-type.
James de Silva, Senior Sales Officer, NBK Travel and Tourism Qatar
As a travel and hospitality specialist, my point of view on Sustainable travelling objectives is to increase the positivity and benefits while travelling. The main goal should be to run away from the negativity around you. The main benefits will be protecting the natural environment and animal welfare while travelling. The European tourism industry is closely linked to its sustainability and the European Commission works on a number of initiatives in this area. GCC travellers are aware of sustainable travel and promoting eco-friendly accommodations, taking public and eco-friendly transportation such as electric vehicles, making optimal use of environmental resources,
Saying NO to single-use plastic and respecting the culture of local communities.
Ibrahim Nalkhande, General Manager, Business Travel LLC
The recent pandemic, health and safety protocol has brought back added focus on sustainable travel and tourism. Whilst most of the travellers have very good awareness towards ecological sustainability is very vital when booking a trip but people are always very reluctant to pay sustainability surcharge. It will take some time for travellers to adopt however sustainable travel is gaining momentum with set of initiatives in the form of green fares, hybrid cars, bikes, reusable water bottles and so on. Many Travel Management Companies in the Gulf sincerely promoting sustainable travel. One of the key factors for the change is the commitment by the government to ensure the responsible tourism practices are carried out across the countries.
Malith Chamika, Holidays Supervisor, Etravel and Tours Oman
As a conscious traveller myself, I strongly recommend sustainable travel options to my clientele Offcourse according to their preferences. I suggest them to opt for property types labeled as eco-certified, travel sustainable badge whether its an apartment,hotel, resort etc. Traveling by the public transportation, eating at the local restaurants are my recommendations too. Oman has achieved development in tourism in its sustainable sense. It has a wealth of natural & cultural heritage, from the traditional mud villages to the elegant cities, mountain peaks, deserts and oasis. Europe has initiated the Green deal which will broadly enhance the future of tourism making it sustainable and accessible for all.
