by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:50 AM ET, Tue November 21, 2023
The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) announced
that Virgin Voyages was named the 2023 ‘Green Partner in Travel Award’ winner,
presented at the 2023 Premium Business Summit held in Indian Wells, California.
Virgin Voyages was selected for the honor by event
attendees, made up of thought leaders from the travel industry. Second place
was awarded to The Travel Corporation, and Royal Caribbean took third place.
Delta Air Lines won the inaugural award last October.
“Congratulations to Virgin Voyages and to The Travel
Corporation and Royal Caribbean as well,” ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby
said. “Of course, what’s important is not the award itself, but the actions
that Virgin Voyages and our other finalists have pursued in making travel not
only enjoyable, but also sustainable.”
To earn the award, Virgin Voyages completed its first test
using sustainable marine fuels, boasted one of the highest representations of
female crew members at sea, and contributed more than 1,500 volunteer hours to communities
in 2023.
“We are honored to be recognized with the Green Partner in
Travel Award from ASTA,” a Virgin Voyages spokesperson said. “While we are
proud of what we have accomplished, we know there is more work to do!”
Candidates are self-nominated for the ‘Green Partner in
Travel Award’ based on the following criteria:
- Path to Net Zero: The partner company's commitment to
science-based targets and a path to Net Zero by 2030 (e.g., a B
Impact Assessment, GRI Assessment, etc.)
- Carbon Reduction: Confirmation of the amount of carbon
reduced over the last year by the partner company
- Community Impact: The number of projects and/or jobs
developed in local or at-risk communities
- Resource Use: Examples of how various resources utilized by
the company are used in a sustainable manner
- Over-Consumption and Waste: Trending data specific to the
company showing the reduction of overconsumption and/or waste
- Corporate Planning: Examples of any methods used to
integrate sustainable tourism into the company's planning
- Environmental Metrics: Examples may include data showing how
the company has reduced electricity usage, changed its fuel consumption, carbon
emissions reductions, gallons of water saved, increased waste diversion, etc.
- Social Metrics: Employee and traveler health &
well-being measures, diversity & inclusion goals, supply chain management,
etc.
- Governance Metrics: Examples of existing policies
specifically pertaining to sustainability in any pillar on a wide range of
issues such as company values, business resilience plans, etc.
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