Panel of experts discussed the challenge of the tourism sector to find a balance between sustainability and destination management.
Moderator
Michael Collins
Founder, Managing Director, TravelIMEdia.ie
Mark Tanzer
Managing Director, ABTA, United Kingdom
Andreu Serra
Conseller de Turismo, Consell Insular Mallorca
Maria Frontera
President of the FEHM
Thomas Ellerbeck
Member of the Group Executive Committee and Head of Sustainability, TUI Group
Miguel Sanz
Director-General,
Turespaña
Mark Tanzer opened the debate by explaining that "we cannot take aviation out of the equation to find that balance as it is a highly significant key contributor to tourism". In the UK, 2.4% of greenhouse gas emissions come from aviation so they claim to be firmly aware of climate change.
Miguel Sanz stated that "we must give the sector and the consumer the necessary information to make decisions from the point of view of sustainability. We must change the narrative. To this end, Turespaña is preparing a communication campaign to inform travelers about this issue. "The industry is moving towards sustainability and we have to help destinations move in this direction.
For her part, María Frontera emphasized the importance of the application of technology in order to sophisticate the sector's marketing and distribution channels in the direction of sustainability.
Andreu Serra highlighted Mallorca 's commitment not only to environmental sustainability, but also to social and economic sustainability.
Thomas Ellerbeck highlighted one of the key priorities for the tourism sector: "achieving a balance between social, ecological and economic impact".
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