ABTA, Tearfund and TOI launch guide to CSR
ABTA has joined forces with relief and development agency Tearfund and the Tour Operators Initiative (TOI) to urge the travel industry to be more socially responsible.
The three organisations launched a new 8-page guide to corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the industry – ‘Improving Tour Operator Performance: The Role of CSR and Reporting’.
The guide illustrates the rewards that can be reaped by implementing CSR policies and presents evidence that CSR is a successful business model. It argues that for tour operators, CSR not only benefits communities and environments, but also adds value through product differentiation, increased quality, increased sales and customer loyalty. It can also preserve the very base of the tourism experience such as nature and cultural heritage.
Welcoming the guide, Stephen Timms, Minister for Corporate Social Responsibility, said: “It is Government’s aim to encourage organisations to realise the benefits of corporate social responsibility. This guide demonstrates how the tourist industry can make a positive contribution to the destinations on which it depends. Responsible tourism isn’t just philanthropy, there is a sound business case for socially responsible activity like this. I look forward to seeing industry take advantage of this opportunity.”
Ian Reynolds, ABTA Chief Executive, said: “Taking action to increase the positive and reduce the negative impact is vital to the future sustainability and profitability of tourism. A forward-looking business will address these issues before it is too late, and CSR – as illustrated within our guide – can provide a useful framework by which to do this.”
Copies are available from www.tearfund.org or www.abta.com (under ‘industry issues’).
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