EasyJet Holidays prioritises sustainability with Global Sustainable Tourism Council membership

Online operator sets out ambition to be an ‘active driver for sustainability in travel and tourism’

EasyJet holidays has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as part of the operator’s ambition to be an “active driver for sustainability in travel and tourism”.

Representing a wide range of tourism firms and organisations, the GSTC promotes the widespread adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles.

EasyJet holidays also said it will launch its new sustainability strategy “imminently”.

It recently became the first major UK tour operator to offset carbon emissions associated with its holidays – covering the fuel from flights and transfers plus the energy from hotel stays.

Garry Wilson, easyJet holidays chief executive, said: “As easyJet holidays, we’re at the beginning of our sustainability journey but working closely with the GSTC will be a really important part of what we’re setting out to do, and encouraging everyone in the industry to play their part.”

Randy Durband, GSTC chief executive, commented: “We look forward to collaborating on their ambitious plans. EasyJet holidays is still a very new business but they are growing quickly, and they have a huge opportunity to help drive and promote sustainable travel.”

The GSTC was created by UN agencies and international conservation non-governmental organisations to develop global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism – the GSTC Criteria.

It also acts as an international body providing assurance for sustainable tourism certification in three key sub-sectors of tourism: hotels/accommodation, tour operators/agencies and destinations.