Iberostar Sustainability Awards 2023

FTI Group is gradually implementing sustainability projects into its business. Alongside the Travelife certification from Meeting Point International and sustainability training for travel agents, FTI is emphasising the importance of cooperating with external partners. FTI has also introduced a Code of Conduct that includes minimum criteria for environmental management, fair working conditions, and human as well as children’s rights, among other things.

Among other initiatives, Hotelplan Group is promoting the sustainable development of Türkiye as a holiday destination by supporting partner hotels through the certification process. They are also supporting transport companies and agents in destinations with measures aimed at UN goals, such as promoting renewable energy, water management, and reducing plastic waste. Additionally, Hotelplan Group offers financial assistance in the form of loans, enabling partners to make substantial investments that contribute to the development of Türkiye to become certified as a sustainable holiday destination.

Among its efforts, DER Touristik has introduced the Green Travel Index. The objective of this index is to simplify the identification of sustainable certified hotels for travel agents. Travel agents can identify sustainable certified hotels in the system by the green leaf symbol, regardless of the type of certification. Furthermore, the online platform 'Bewusst reisen' ('Travel Responsibly') was developed to promote sustainable travel ideas for package holidays, and the company runs a multichannel campaign on sustainable travel at least once a year.

FairAway Travel GmbH is committed to responsible tourism. The tour operator will be introducing the Fair Travel Scale this year, allowing the impact of each holiday trip to be publicly visible. The Fair Travel Scale illustrates the environmental, social, and socio-economic effects of every individual trip, aiming to encourage travellers to adopt more sustainable travel practices. It employs elements of nudging and gamification, with 25 indicators showing positive or negative impacts on travel planning and implementation, providing travellers with comprehensive information. The project's purpose is to highlight several aspects of each trip and identify areas for improvement.

LCC Grünes Reisebüro, located in Freiburg im Breisgau, presents a curated travel portfolio exclusively featuring GSTC-certified operators and hotels. This signifies their recognition for environmentally-friendly, resource-conserving, and socially responsible practices. Their clients receive personalised consultations from small and medium-sized specialists equipped with sustainable travel insights. The travel agency offers choices on efficient flight options, offsets, and even the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to mitigate flying-related carbon footprint.

FAIRWEG® dedicates significant efforts towards researching fair and sustainable travel alternatives. Their proprietary FAIRWEG® Score categorises accommodations using 12 sustainability criteria aligned with GSTC standards. This scientific and perpetually updated sustainability data is available for B2B entities such as travel operators, agencies, and destinations, thereby enhancing visibility for sustainable options and establishing an industry standard.

faircations offers its clients an exclusive array of sustainable and certified accommodation choices. Mandatory CO2 offsetting for flights is integrated into the booking process, requiring customers to meet a set minimum contribution. Moreover, faircations actively supports a range of social and economic projects, allowing customers to select a preferred project during booking. A 1% donation of the holiday cost is then directed towards the chosen project. To facilitate guidance on sustainable holiday choices, a virtual travel agency has been established, recognising the need for comprehensive explanations on sustainability matters.