Travelport unveils ‘green’ initiatives at WTTC summit
Galileo’s parent Travelport has unveiled a raft of ‘green’ initiatives to tie in with this week’s global summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in Lisbon.
The company has partnered with Sustainable Travel International (STI) and MyClimate to launch a carbon offset programme for the 600 people attending the conference.
“As a provider of travel services worldwide, we are cognizant of the issues and are committed to do our part to preserve the environment,” said Travelport CEO and president Jeff Clarke.
“At the core of all ‘carbon considerate’ initiatives is the management of carbon emissions; a difficult task that requires accurate data gathering, calculation and reporting solutions.
“Air travel, although currently less than 5% of all CO2 emissions, is one of the fastest growing contributors to the release of harmful greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
“Galileo, our GDS business, processes some 800,000 air transactions per day and is well-suited to help the industry measure its carbon footprint.”
He said Galileo is currently working toward the introduction of a new customer tool, for suppliers and travel agents, that will accurately measure carbon emissions.
Clarke continued: “As a global company, Travelport has a growing company-wide ecological focus on RE-using, RE-ducing, RE-cycling and RE-covering.
“We have nearly eliminated paper-based employee communications and employ the Web and other digital means to reach our more than 8,000 associates working in 130 countries around the world.
“Travelport companies are using energy-saving lighting systems and will continue adding eco-friendly alternatives to everyday routines.”
Travelmole TV will be bringing coverage of the WTTC summit, which takes place on Friday May 11 and Saturday 12.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season