U.S. Travel Association has launched the Sustainable Travel Coalition, designed to bring its members together to develop and focus on strategies that will ensure a more sustainable future.
With nearly 60 members, the Sustainable Travel Coalition will act as a forum to inform U.S. Travel of members’ sustainability issues and concerns at their respective organizations and destinations. A policy committee has been created in conjunction with the coalition to aid in the coalition’s efforts.
“Seeing the world and saving the world should not be mutually exclusive,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy for U.S. Travel. “As technology advances and consumers demand more sustainable travel options, the work of this coalition will ensure that the U.S. travel industry can meet the needs of an evolving market while also protecting our planet’s natural resources.”
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U.S. Travel Association’s sustainability goals are as follows:
- Spotlight industry progress by showcasing innovative technologies and highlighting the ongoing actions of travel professionals in the sustainability space
- Amplify industry goals, leadership and commitment to conservation, waste and emission reduction
- Highlight why sustainability matters and its importance to travel
- Actively identifying and helping the industry achieve its goals
- Defend against harmful policies that slow progress toward sustainability goals
Governmental acts have been passed recently with the help of U.S. Travel in pursuit of it goals, including the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will guarantee a historic level of travel infrastructure investment, including airports, railways, highways and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations; and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, which will make $5 billion available for investments in a national EV charging network.
U.S. Travel members and Friends of Travel are eligible to join the coalition, which will meet virtually three times a year; the policy committee will meet virtually bi-monthly and once a year in person.
