The Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) 2024, taking place from October 23-25 in Seville, is placing regenerative tourism at the center of discussions.
I am attending the summit representing ftnnews.com as a partner of TIS2024.
Industry leaders from renowned organizations like Amadeus, Vueling, Radisson Hotel Group, and UNICEF have highlighted the need for sustainability and deeper integration with local communities to drive the future of tourism.
Regenerative tourism is increasingly seen as a key solution to the challenges of overcrowding, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation. Filippos Venetopoulos, CEO of Variety Cruises, emphasized the company’s approach to regenerative tourism, which includes initiatives like beach cleanups, local seafood sourcing, and efforts to avoid being invasive to local cultures. Venetopoulos also explained the importance of managing overcrowding through collaboration with local governments, citing Variety Cruises’ implementation of a 25-euro fee for tourists in Santorini aimed at supporting the improvement of other Greek destinations.
Héctor Fernández, CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, pointed out the broader dimensions of sustainability, noting the significance of governance and social inclusion. Fernández stressed that the local community must see the tangible benefits of tourism, which in turn, helps improve workplace conditions and retain talent. He emphasized that regenerative tourism can play a key role in aligning the interests of local residents and visitors.
Amit Sharma, Advisor at the Saudi Tourism Authority, echoed the call for quality over quantity in tourism, advocating for value-based tourism rather than focusing solely on volume. He highlighted the need for clarity and benchmarks to help the industry advance in adopting regenerative tourism practices. Sharma mentioned that while the approach is gradually gaining traction, there is still significant room for growth and improvement.
Sustainability matters
87% of hoteliers consider sustainability to be important or very important to them. These are the conclusions of the Travel Technology Investments Trends 2024 report prepared by Amadeus, which highlights the relevance that sustainability has acquired for customers and travelers. This was highlighted by Agnes Pierce, Director, Global Head of Sustainability – Hospitality at Amadeus, who highlighted sustainability as an integrated element in her company. “We want to create travel experiences for everyone and everywhere with sustainability in mind,” she said. For the tourism sector to thrive in the green transition, he said that “the whole ecosystem must align” and that it is “necessary to support other organizations working for sustainability at the local level.”
Santiago Lopezbarrena, Head of Sustainability at Vueling, also considered partnerships with companies to be key. He presented the company’s commitment to sustainability through the promotion of three pillars: more sustainable fuels, a more efficient fleet and technology applied to make operations more environmentally friendly.
Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group confirmed the company’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. To make progress in sustainability, she stressed that it is “essential” to involve teams in green operations, as well as “integrating sustainability into the guest experience to make it easier”, whether by reducing single-use plastics or including electric vehicle chargers, among other actions. Lastly, he called for collaboration in the sector, transparency and clear communication with travelers so that they can be confident in their sustainable travel.
Likewise, Marta López, Head of Corporate Partnerships at UNICEF Spain, remarked that “the tourism sector is not on track to meet the SDGs. We are not moving fast enough, but there is potential to accelerate the process. Lopez has highlighted the importance of transforming the way companies operate to influence children’s rights. “The social aspect of sustainability is forgotten. We neglect the much-needed investment in everyone around the company. This is not a philanthropic agenda, it makes business sense,” he said.
