Greta Effect Felt on Climate Talk at Ensemble Travel Group Conference
Skift Take
Sustainable travel was the overriding theme at Ensemble Travel Group's 2019 International Conference, which CEO David Harris called the most important issue facing travel advisors and their clients. The importance of capturing sales data and strong alliances with travel industry organizations also emerged as top priorities.
Although she wasn't there, the spirit of environmental activist Greta Thunberg loomed large at the Ensemble Travel Group’s 2019 International Conference.
“Climate and sustainability are the biggest issues facing the travel industry today and the biggest issues facing your clients,” Ensemble CEO David Harris told the audience of travel agency owners, frontline travel advisors and suppliers during his opening remarks. “I call it the Greta effect.”
The conference took place October 22 to 27 in Seattle.
Noting that an estimated seven billion trips are taken worldwide each year, Harris said that travel has both good and bad effects on destinations.
“We have a responsibility to be mindful and to educate our clients about traveling to more sustainable places,” he said. “We will be introducing new supplier partners devoted to this. We need to make sure we are part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
Among the steps Ensemble is taking is to enter into
