Any government financial support to help the travel industry recover from the pandemic should be linked to sustainable practices.

This was highlighted during a panel discussion on the ‘Fundamentals for Long-term Growth, Innovation and Sustainability’ at this year’s UNWTO, WTTC and WTM Virtual Ministers’ Summit.

Radisson Hotel Group Global Senior Vice President for Responsible Business, Safety and Security, Inge Huijbrechts, said it was governments’ responsibility to ensure that regeneration incentives “should be linked to sustainable investment and stimulus”.

James Thornton, CEO of tour operator Intrepid Travel, agreed. “Ultimately climate change will be more devastating if we don’t respond responsibly. There is no vaccine for climate change.”

Thriving tourism and environmental protection were not mutually exclusive pointed out Nigel Huddleston, the UK Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage.

“I think you can have economic growth and you can be socially responsible. Some national parks around the world wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for tourism – you don’t have to choose one.”

Thornton echoed the sentiment, pointing out that for the last few years the company had enjoyed record profitability hand in hand with the scaling up of its responsibility initiatives. He said there was a consumer appetite for “companies that stand for something”.

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