The Travel Corporation’ (TTC) first official Impact Report details the progress of its 41 brands as they advance the How We Tread Right (HWTR) 5-year sustainability strategy. The report includes updates on how Contiki, the social travel experts for 18-35s, is working towards TTC’s 11 sustainability targets, which are anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Impact Report highlights the total progress TTC has made, and highlights Contiki’s efforts to shape a brighter future for the travel industry. Highlights of the report include Contiki’s announcement that that its owned properties now run off 100% renewable energy, and that all of its trips are carbon neutral as of January 2022
Tasha Hayes, Contiki’s Sustainability Officer says
“It’s incredible to see the progress Contiki is making towards its sustainability targets. The fact that 100% of our properties are run off renewable energy, demonstrates our commitment on the road to prioritising carbon reductions and achieving net-zero; this is addition to the fact that all trips are carbon neutral. But we know that there’s still a journey ahead of us. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to hold ourselves accountable and measure our progress against our goals. The release of TTC’s Impact Report does just that.”
Contiki’s progress as detailed in TTC’s 2021 Impact Report includes:
Goal 1: Achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 or sooner.
Impact report update: From 2022, all Contiki trips are carbon neutral.
Goal 2: Source 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
Impact report update: From 2022 100% of Contiki’s properties are powered by renewable energy.
Goal 3: Reduce Food Waste By 50% Across All Hotels And Ships By 2025.
Impact report update: As part of a local program, food from Contiki’s Haus Schöneck is donated to a nearby farm.
Goal 4: Increase use of local and organic food products by our supply chain by 2025.
Impact report update: As of 2022, Contiki’s Haus Schöneck gets 63% of its food from local suppliers.
Goal 5: Reduce printed brochures by 50% by 2025.
Impact report update: Contiki has reduced printed brochures by 82%.
Goal 6: Eliminate all unnecessary single-use plastics.
Impact report update: 100% of Contiki-owned properties have replaced all single-use cups, cutlery, straws etc. with reusable or compostable alternatives.
Goal 7: Include at least 1 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience on 50% of TTC itineraries by 2025.
Impact report update: Contiki now offer MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experiences on 81% of its itineraries.
Goal 8: Achieve a 20% increase of itineraries visiting developing regions by 2025.
Impact report update: Contiki now has 19 itineraries in developing regions, where it supports local communities and gives its travellers a fresh perspective on the world.
Goal 9: Increase employee and market sentiment regarding diversity and inclusion.
Impact report update: In 2021 Contiki launched its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy to guide the business over the next 3 years.
Goal 10: Complete 30,000 volunteer hours across all brands by 2025.
Impact report update: Contiki and its TTC sister brands completed 6,517 volunteer hours in 2021.
Goal 11: Ensure all wildlife experiences adhere to TTC’s animal welfare policy by 2021.
Impact report update: 100% of Contiki’s wildlife experiences adhere to a stringent Animal Welfare Policy.
“We’re committed.” Says Contiki’s CEO Adam Armstrong.
“We know our travellers share our vision for sustainable travel, and we’re proud that as of 2022 all Contiki trips are carbon neutral. But this is just the beginning. We need to keep the momentum going as we continue to reduce food waste, use more renewable resources, eliminate single use plastics and ultimately shape a net-zero future for travel. TTC’s Impact Report helps us measure our progress and it’s motivating to see what we’ve achieved so far.”
In the next step of Contiki’s journey to net zero, its parent company The Travel Corporation (TTC) has formally committed to carbon reduction targets that are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets are currently under review by the SBTi and will be announced later this year.
To read The Travel Corporation’s full Impact Report and learn more about the progress TTC and Contiki have made against the How We Tread Right sustainability strategy, please visit https://impact.treadright.org/progress/
