EARTH DAY: The travel trailblazers building back better

As travel begins to return to full swing, the industry is banding together to celebrate Earth Day, showcasing all the ways travel is building back better.
Research shows that sustainability is an important factor for almost three-quarters of travellers (73 per cent) and just under half (43 per cent) said recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices.
In fact, 58 per cent of Australian travellers said they would be more likely to choose sustainable accommodation – whether they were looking for one or not.
That’s according to new research commissioned by Booking.com, with insights gathered from more than 1,000 Aussie travellers across 32 countries and territories.
Further research from a poll carried out by GlobalData found that 75 per cent of travellers across the globe would like to see mandatory sustainability labels.
To cater to this demand, travel companies are placing sustainability front and centre to promote much-needed growth in the sector as restrictions lift and the world begins to travel once again.
Here’s a round-up of travel’s most recent sustainability initiatives.
Etihad leads sustainable aviation with week of intensive flight tests to reduce carbon emissions 
Etihad Airways is undertaking a week of intensive research and testing on over 30 flights to test operational efficiencies, technology and procedures that will reduce carbon emissions, in an expansion of its ongoing sustainability flight testing regime.
The week-long programme includes over 20 commercial flights operating across Etihad’s network to test contrail avoidance technologies in partnership with SATAVIA, a UK-based green aerospace company. Contrails cause up to 60 per cent of aviation’s total climate impact, the equivalent to two per cent of all human impact.
In contrast to many green aerospace initiatives, contrail prevention is a software solution that can be implemented in the near-term through technical integration with flight operations.
The airline will also operate up to 13 dedicated ‘EcoFlights’ testing a range of flight and engine optimisation initiatives, with successful trials to be incorporated into regular scheduled operations.
Each of these flight tests will be operated on Etihad’s fleet of fuel-efficient A350 and 787 aircraft, spearheaded by the ‘Etihad Greenliner’, and Etihad’s newest aircraft, the ‘Sustainable 50’.
EXPLORE! Challenges industry to declare carbon footprint on ALL trips
Explore has unveiled carbon ratings on all its trips and is challenging the rest of the tourism industry to do the same.
The company has worked with ecollective to measure carbon emissions on every one of its 515 tours. Emission were calculated on 24 types of transport, 2000 accommodation types, activities and leaders – as well as all operational activities involved in running the businesses in the UK and globally.
Explore Worldwide’s average trip carbon footprint is 632kg. Its lowest-footprint trip, Walk the South Downs, has 59kg per person, while the lowest 7-night trips are Cycle Canal de Midi and Active Turkey at 79kg per person.
Intrepid reveals its top 5 climate-conscious, low-impact tips & trips
Intrepid Travel has put together a list of some of the company’s most low-impact trips ahead of Earth Day for travellers interested in a climate-conscious adventure.
Here are some of its top picks for a low impact holiday:
Vietnam Family Holiday – 13 days: Trade planes for trains, taxis for cyclos on this 13-day tour from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, showing how travelling with a low footprint can help create a big impact.
Beyond local, low-impact transportation and a focus on community-operated restaurants, in 2022 Intrepid replaced a flight from Hanoi to Hoi An with an overnight train. Rail travel is not only better for the planet but it often enhances the experience for travellers, seeing more of the countryside and smaller towns that you’d otherwise miss.
Trek the Larapinta Trail – 5 days: Going off-grid is one of the surest ways to minimize your environmental impact. On Intrepid’s Larapinta Trail adventure, travellers will tackle the rugged landscape of one of Australia’s greatest multi-day walks.
While a digital detox can help provide a much-needed mental recharge, it is also the most environmentally friendly way to travel. A 100 per cent human-powered adventure like this effectively means eliminating your footprint.
Egypt Experience – 12 days: This cultural expedition is filled with small examples of how travellers can make a big impact. From trains and boats to dinners with a Nubian family, you’ll quickly learn why locally-minded travel is better for the planet.
In 2022, the flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel was removed in favour of driving. Between airport check-ins and wait times, it was calculated that door-to-door there was essentially no time saved from flying and lots of emissions to be saved by driving.
Premium Peru – 9 days: On Day 2 of Intrepid’s Premium Peru trip, travellers will visit Posada Amazonas, which is community-owned by the Ese Eja Indigenous people and will host travellers for 2 nights.
Community-owned lodges and hotels are collectively owned and developed to benefit multiple families and residents of a community. These types of properties are found all over the world and almost guarantee 100 per cent of your tourism dollars genuinely support the community you visit.
Cathay Pacific launches Asia’s first major Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programme
Cathay Pacific is launching its pilot Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme, the first major programme of its kind in Asia.
The programme provides corporate customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint from business travel or airfreight by contributing to the use of SAF uplifted for the first time from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on Cathay Pacific flights.
Cathay Pacific is kick-starting the programme with eight corporates as launch customers, including AIA, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), DHL Global Forwarding, HSBC, Kintetsu World Express (KWE), PwC China, Standard Chartered, and Swire Pacific.
SAF is considered the most important way to decarbonise airline operations in the next few decades, before alternatively powered aircraft can be widely deployed in commercial operations. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce up to 100 per cent carbon emissions on a lifecycle basis, depending on the SAF technology used.
Avalon Waterways embarks on sustainable, responsible river cruising
Avalon Waterways is taking steps to protect the environments it visits with its Lighthouse Project, an initiative created to help travellers come together to reduce their footprint and give generously for the globe’s greater good.
With a mission of nurturing a culture of care and sustainability that extends to guests, the Lighthouse Project is focused on three give-back categories; planet, people and places.
Currently, Avalon Waterways, in partnership with the Globus family of brands, is spotlighting nearly 50 causes focused on the ‘Planet,’ ‘People’ and ‘Places’, with plans to add more.
Avalon Waterways has also eliminated single-use plastics onboard ships and operations offices, reduced paper waste by 95 per cent onboard, received the Green Award for its entire fleet of ships, invested in local farmers to secure locally produced food and beverages, installed LED lighting throughout ship and worked with dozens of ports to purchase shore power (while docked).
And, between now and 2024, the river cruise line plans to reduce paper waste to less than 1 per cent, pilot a program to use bio-fuel, aiming to reduce total carbon emissions by 50 per cent and utilise electric bow thrusters to further reduce emissions.
InterContinental Hayman Island embraces Earth Day
According to InterContinental Hayman Island Resort general manager, Arpad Romandy, the theme of 2022’s Earth Day is a fitting one for the island resort, which placed sustainable initiatives at the very heart of its rebuild following Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
“We had the opportunity to design and rebuild using new technology across the resort and implemented smart room technology in all suites to reduce electricity usage. Not only has this reduced energy and greenhouse gas emissions but has provided a cost saving of between 20 and 45 per cent annually, and we haven’t stopped there,” Romandy said.
“The resort’s water is sourced from the purpose-built ocean desalination plant and a partnership forged between IHG and Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) in 2021, affords the opportunity to assess our water consumption to identify areas for improved efficiency across the island.”
To significantly reduce landfill waste, the resort joined forces with Anything Environmental to ensure Hayman Island’s recyclable waste are sent to an Airlie Beach depot for processing, as well as wet food recycling, designed to biologically convert solid food waste materials into eco-friendly and nutrient-rich liquid which flows into the existing sewerage system.
The resort recently joined the newly formed Whitsunday’s Healthy Heart program that aims to decarbonise the tourism sector and see the Whitsunday’s become a certifiably sustainable destination.
Princess Cruises debuts new Ocean Treks Conservation Connections series
Princess Cruises has debuted a new digital series titled Ocean Treks Conservation Connections, featuring short stories of environmental management, wildlife conservation, and sustainability.
The 28-episode series includes original content hosted by Environmental Ambassador Jeff Corwin and Princess Cruises President John Padgett, with the first episode available for viewing now on the cruise line’s YouTube channel.
The new Ocean Treks Conservation Connections videos will cover; recycling and sustainability, food waste reduction and biodigester system, conservation at Princess Cays, leveraging shore power and energy efficiency, Advanced Wastewater Treatment System, innovative fuel sources and Advanced Air Quality System.
In addition, the series will feature wildlife and conservation stories originally highlighted in the first three seasons of Ocean Treks.
Image: iStock/coldsnowstorm
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
avalon waterways booking.com cathay pacific Earth Day etihad explore GlobalData InterContinental Hayman Island intrepid princess cruises sustainabilityLatest News

WATCH: The Travel Weekly Wrap | 14 February 2025
Feel like your story should have got a run in our new video wrap? We'll be the judge of that, thanks.

Entire Travel Soirée puts the spotlight on niche travel
Niche travel is one of the hot topics at the moment, so we couldn't pass up the chance to learn more with Entire.

Happy Valentines! Jetstar launches 8 hour flash sale
Chocolate is nice, but a trip away is a lot better! You'll be in your partner's good books for months.

Chick-In, now open! KFC launches its own airline
We wonder if they are going to have a detailed plan, or, if they are just going to...WING IT!!

Travelport introduces Finnair NDC content and servicing solutions
The national carrier of the happiest country on earth knows a thing or two about NDC, just ask the team at Travelport.

Turkish Airlines confirms daily flights between Sydney-Istanbul
Ok Melbourne, you may have got in first, but Sydney is set to be the lead gateway between the two cities. Score: 1-1.

CATO opens nominations for International Women’s Day lunch ticket giveaway
With one of the Queens of last year's Olympic Games already announced, we know it's going to be one hell of a day!

Boutique luxury hotel opens in Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane
Looking at the rooftop pool, this hotel looks like its situated deep in a Thai forest rather than the concrete jungle.

Croatia Airlines unveils new and restored routes to Milan, Prague, Madrid, Bucharest and Hamburg
When routes were scrapped early in the pandemic, no one would have thought it would be five years until they returned!

Salamander Voyages launches slow sailing itinerary in Türkiye
Okay everyone, time to sing - 'We are sailing, we are sailing, we are sailing...slowly...'

EXCLUSIVE: Emirates’ Captain Emily Sidoti on why gender disparity in aviation comes down to education
Emily is challenging stereotypes and inspiring a younger generation of women to earn their stripes.

Tura Turizm joins World Travel & Trade Council to promote tourism in Türkiye
Should we wind up on a famil in Türkiye, we're making sure to get on one of the famed hot air balloons tours!

Can you guess the world’s top spa destination?
If they ever need anyone to come and try the facilities for them, we are free most weekdays and weekends.

Qatar Airways wins big at Cellars in the Sky Awards
They say you feel the effect of alcohol faster in the sky... Only one way to find out.

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
As Pip said, when people come to Australia they do so for the experiences not their hotel's sheet thread count.

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.