As market leader in the Dutch travel industry, TUI Nederland feels jointly-responsible for the future of our holiday destinations. For that reason, TUI Nederland has a proactive policy on sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility. The policy is called ‘Buy green, Sell green, Share green & Be green’ and it focuses on holidays with respect for people and nature. In 2008 the focus has been on the creation of a new sustainable tourism organization in order to integrate sustainable development in all activities and divisions of the organization.
The policy consists of seven key areas:
Sustainable tourism management
TUI Nederland incorporates sustainable tourism into its business. The steering committee Sustainable Tourism, supported by the department of Sustainable Tourism, is responsible for the integration of the sustainable tourism policy into corporate plans and procedures. The steering committee was created in 2008. This committee consists of managers of various divisions within the organization. During the year, the committee adopted the new sustainable tourism policy and actions plans for 2008-2012 and a sustainability monitoring system was introduced.
Buy green
For the purchasing of transportation, accommodations and activities, TUI Nederland selects those holiday products that take people and nature into account. By doing this, TUI Nederland is helping to preserve the quality and the unique character of the holiday destinations. In 2008 TUI Nederland extended the campaign ‘Wise winter sports’. Next to environmentally mountain villages, environmentally friendly accommodations are highlighted in the brochures. Furthermore, the guidelines for responsible whale watching have been improved and a handbook for the operators was written. ROBINSON has improved the integration of climate costs into its package price to Gold Standard projects. ROBINSON collaborates with ClimateCare.
Fly green
In 2008 a sustainable policy was developed for TUI’s airline ArkeFly. By paying attention to the fleet en flight-related products and services, and during the preparations, take-off, flight and arrival the airline lowers its fuel consumption and costs. The optimization of routings and the reduction of weight are also in favour of the environment. Several activities and researches have already been implemented, like changing the alternate destination from Brussels to Rotterdam, pouring fair-trade coffee on board, washing the airplane engines in an environmentally friendly manner and no longer filling the auxiliary water tank of the airplanes.
Sell green
TUI Nederland creates awareness among customers through the dissemination of sustainable tourism information. The guests receive during several stages in the holiday process information about sustainable tourism. For instance, information is given in the travel brochures, in the travel agencies and on websites. On board of the aircraft of ArkeFly a sustainable tourism film is shown. Furthermore, at the destination guests receive practical advice through the travel representatives and the destination booklets. In 2008 a sustainable tourism policy for the Arke and Holland International travel agencies was launched.
Share green
TUI Nederland collaborates with (inter)national organizations in the field of corporate social responsibility and sustainable tourism in order to improve the purchasing and sales of sustainable holiday products. TUI Nederland values the dialogue with NGOs in the field of animal welfare, nature conservation and poverty alleviation. For instance, TUI Nederland has a partnership with child rights’ organization ECPAT in the battle against child prostitution and collaborates with the Coastal Union and IFAW on responsible whale watching. In 2008 TUI Nederland developed together with Cordaid and PASEO the Chocolate Tour in the Dominican Republic in order to alleviate poverty. The tour generates extra income for the local cacao farmers.
Be green
TUI Nederland would like to give a good example and focuses also on the internal environmental management in headquarters and the retail stores. The internal management focuses on sustainable purchasing, energy, water, waste, paper, mobility and construction. In headquarters sensor lightning is installed, biological milk is served in the canteens and fair trade coffee is used in the machines. Furthermore, the travel agencies work paperless, copying paper and office supplies are environmentally friendly (more than 50 percent) and waste is separated. A more environmentally friendly car lease programme was introduced and the bicycle-of-the company plan was improved.
Be good
TUI Nederland stands for holidays with respect for people and the environment. This philosophy does not only apply for our customers. We also want to take care of our own employees and therefore pay attention to ensure a respectful, safe, healthy and stimulating workplace. Arrangements have been made to combat discrimination, to safeguard the privacy of the employees and to create safe and responsible working places. Furthermore, a ‘cafeteria system’ was launched to offer the employees more flexibility in their labour conditions.
TUI Travel PLC
TUI Nederland is part of TUI Travel PLC. TUI Travel PLC publishes a Sustainable Development Report each year. The sustainability results of TUI Nederland are featured as part of TUI Travel Western Europe in this English report. For more information on for instance the strategy, targets, carbon footprint, TUI Travel Western Europe see TUI Travel PLC's Sustainable Development Report 2008. Read more about the sustainable strategy of TUI AG, the organisation TUI Travel PLC is part of, in TUI AG Sustainability Report 2009/2010.
