- Carbon footprints of holidays reduce for a second year, while absolute footprint rises
- Group celebrates its first B Corp-certified brand
- New People initiatives introduced to cement Hotelplan UK as an employer of choice
Hotelplan UK – the parent company of Inghams, Explore Worldwide, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland – has published its second annual Planet & People Report which can be read here. The report outlines progress and successes from the group’s 2023/2024 financial year, along with addressing challenges it still faces on its journey to be a business that is better for people and the planet.
The group report comes after the publication of Explore Worldwide’s second Purpose Paper in December 2024. Inghams and Santa’s Lapland will also release their own Impact Report later this winter.
Joe Ponte, Group CEO of Hotelplan UK, said: “I’m really proud of how we’re transforming into a purpose-led business that prioritises planet and people alongside turning a profit. We’ve set a clear plan to enhance company culture, implement carbon reduction pathways and deliver genuine value to the communities that support us – all whilst continuing to deliver products and experiences that exceed customer expectations. We’re far from perfect, but it’s exciting to see how our strategic initiatives are beginning to turn the dial in these areas.”
Key achievements
Between November 2023 and October 2024, Hotelplan UK:
- Achieved B Corp certification for Explore Worldwide
- Reduced the carbon footprint of its trips on a per person, per night basis for a second year running, resulting in a 10% reduction since baseline
- Invested £1.2 million in carbon removal and biodiversity restoration
- Removed more than 20,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere via active carbon removal projects, with further carbon contracted for future removal
- Donated £98,601 to charitable projects
- Launched new recruitment websites with inclusivity in mind
- Embedded carbon and biodiversity knowledge across the team through its new learning experience platform
Challenges
Decarbonising international transportation is a key challenge acknowledged in the report.
Director of Sustainability Prue Stone commented: “We’re starting to build a picture of the carbon emissions that were avoided through switching passengers from planes to trains last year, but flight-free travel is not practical for every destination or every passenger. Flight emissions account for more than three quarters of our total footprint and this will remain a prime focus for 2025.”
Hotelplan UK’s latest carbon audit, conducted in November 2024, shows the group has now reduced the intensity carbon footprint of its trips by 10% per passenger, per night since baseline measurements. The group’s absolute footprint, however, has increased for a second year running, albeit at a slower rate. The 2024 audit shows an increase of 5% year-on-year, following on from a 42% increase in 2023.
Focus on people
The report outlines how Hotelplan UK continues to integrate its people and planet strategies through a targeted focus on community, wellbeing, lifestyle choices and learning. The group enhanced support for communities at home and abroad by introducing a match-funding scheme for employee fundraising and enabling teams to volunteer in local communities.
2024 also saw Hotelplan UK sign a partnership with Working with Cancer to do more to support people through diagnosis, treatment and return to work; and launch new recruitment sites, designed with inclusivity in mind. Its new learning and development platform, Learn and Maximise your Potential, offers learning and skills development with sustainability as a core focus.
Hotelplan UK’s Director of HR Nicky Lyle explained: “We continue to respect and value the transparent connection between our people and planet initiatives. There’s still work to do, but by regularly seeking feedback from our team on how best to support them – professionally, personally and financially – we stay accountable as an employer for upholding a supportive and collaborative environment that offers sustainable lifestyle choices and tools to thrive.”
Hotelplan UK’s Planet & People Report 2025 is available to read or download on the group’s website – www.hotelplan.co.uk/sustainability. The 2024 Planet & People Report and 2023’s Climate Paper and Biodiversity Paper are also available at that link, to map the group’s journey and progress in recent years.
