WTTC says sustainability reporting is no longer negotiable for tourism businesses

March 7, 2024

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has today launched a roadmap for the hospitality and tourism sectors aimed at simplifying sustainability reporting. Alongside the Roadmap, WTTC and Oliver Wyman also released a new report Navigating the Sustainability Journey: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Travel & Tourism, designed to tackle the sector´s unique sustainability challenges.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President and Chief Executive notes “sustainability reporting is no longer negotiable for travel and tourism businesses. It is a challenge we must confront head-on.

“Our Roadmap serves as the trusted navigator through the intricacies of sustainability reporting, acting as a guide and providing clarity. It is not merely about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about propelling businesses towards sustainable growth and resilience.”

Launched during ITB Berlin, the Sustainability Reporting Readiness Roadmap offers a strategic tool to guide businesses through sustainability frameworks, compliance timelines, and readiness assessments, simplifying the journey towards sustainable compliance.

WTTC advises “this roadmap is more than just a tool - it’s a strategic compass, enabling companies to decode sustainability reporting complexities, identify relevant compliance standards, and evaluate their sustainability data and platform maturity.

“The call to action is clear: governments must offer sector-specific guidance and phased requirements to ease companies into this new sustainability era. This roadmap provides both the public and private sector the direction needed to begin their journey of sustainability reporting.”

The new report Navigating the Sustainability Journey: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Travel & Tourism, explores the impact of the three most influential sustainability reporting frameworks on the sector – the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive (CSRD), the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Climate-Related Disclosures – and offers insights to navigate the changing regulatory landscape effectively.

According to the report, some tourism companies are unprepared for the imminent sustainability compliance standards, with urgent action needed, especially concerning complex supply chains and Scope 3 emissions reporting.

Dan Darcy, Principal with Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Services practice adds “sustainability reporting requirements are a significant challenge for travel and tourism companies - cross-border organisations with broad value chains who have weathered a pandemic and subsequent resurgence in demand.

“But these requirements are essential for protecting the destinations, ecosystems, and communities that inspire travellers. By setting ambitious goals and showing progress, we will prove our industry’s commitment to sustainability.”

As the sector embarks on this journey towards greater transparency and sustainability, the roadmap’s diagnostic tools enable companies to pinpoint their sustainability standing, bridge gaps, and chart a path towards compliance and a sustainable future.

Click here to read the the report in full and for more information.

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