Exploring the complexities of setting global criteria for social sustainability in travel poses significant challenges.
- The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils a report addressing social sustainability in travel.
- Christopher Imbsen highlights the difficulties faced in defining universal social sustainability criteria.
- Cultural diversity and varying social standards complicate global criteria setting.
- Reports suggest poor labour conditions hinder the travel industry’s sustainability efforts.
The report on social sustainability in travel by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals the intricate challenges of addressing social impacts globally. Christopher Imbsen, vice-president for research & sustainability at WTTC, highlights that assessing social impacts is more complex compared to environmental and governance issues. Imbsen, a key contributor to the WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics programme, notes that achieving consensus among over 60 global brands and industry associations was particularly challenging when it came to social criteria.
Diversity across the globe is a significant factor in the difficulty of setting global indicators for social sustainability. As Imbsen points out, social context varies extensively, making it challenging to agree on a universal standard. The diverse nature of what is considered ‘socially acceptable’ across different cultures further complicates creating a global criterion.
Despite these challenges, progress was made. The WTTC report, developed in collaboration with Dr. Anke Winchenbach from the University of Surrey and commissioned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the IUF union, presents two primary social criteria: community engagement and reducing inequalities. These criteria aim to promote positive community initiatives and address workforce inequalities.
Imbsen emphasises that while numerous criteria exist, the application of a global set remains problematic. Yet, the report serves an important purpose by raising significant issues surrounding the ‘S’ in ESG, that is, environmental, social, and governance impacts.
The report further explores the adverse effects of poor labour conditions on sustainability efforts within the travel industry. It concludes that these conditions not only damage recruitment but also increase risks for businesses. The findings are supported by interviews with industry stakeholders and assessments of current social sustainability frameworks and case studies.
The WTTC report on social sustainability underscores the significant challenges in formulating global criteria due to diverse social contexts and standards.
