Travelling connects people and their cultures. It contributes to cosmopolitanism, mutual understanding, and tolerance. Tourism also builds bridges economically: it is an important economic factor across the globe, contributing to employment and prosperity. Thanks to its consistent and rapid growth, the industry now constitutes one of the most important economic sectors worldwide.
But everything has its limits. These have now come to light, above all due to the consequences of climate change. This applies even more to tourism than virtually any other industry: cultural and ecological diversity in the holiday destinations and the well-being of the people represent the cornerstone of business success!
As an international travel group, we are strongly aware of the responsibility arising from tourism’s impact on the local population and environment. We need to protect the diversity of our earth and preserve it for future generations. This commitment also affords us with an opportunity: we want to actively shape the development of sustainable tourism in all areas of our company and align it with the future.
Children deserve special protection around the world, as Children’s rights never go on holiday. The well-being of children is an issue that is close to the heart of DERTOUR Group. The company requires itself as well as its partners, suppliers and service providers to safeguard the rights of children in tourism. It is a principle that applies to children who live in countries where its customers go on holidays and to children who go along on these trips as well. The DERTOUR Group has drawn up a comprehensive internal child-safeguarding policy based on its Policy Statement on Child Safeguarding.
We harness the power of tourism to specifically advocate for more sustainable travel. This applies to the design of our products as well as the development of effective measures jointly with our partners, with political representatives and participants in the travel industry. We want to foster economic development in the holiday destinations while reducing our environmental footprint and negative impact on people and nature.
Excursions that meet generally recognised criteria for responsible tourism are marked with our light green heart-shaped leaf. They may involve a sustainable form of transport, promote cultural heritage in a special way, involve the local community in the creation of tourism value, visit projects that benefit the environment or society or simply offer particularly intensive experiences and insights with local people. The engage people & planet programme offers the opportunity to travel in a particularly conscious way.
Sustainability in tourism is as diverse as the world we travel. This includes
Given the multifaceted nature and complexity, it is clear: that sustainability cannot be achieved overnight. Instead, it is a long and continuous process of transformation that requires thought and cooperation from all those involved.
That is why we at Destination Touristic Services are working with our service providers, in industry initiatives and together with civil society on sustainable further developments and improvements. Over recent years, we have implemented many initiatives and projects to actively shape more sustainable tourism in all areas of our business.
Destination Touristic Services is a Travelife member. That provides us access to Travelife’s expertise and resources and we benefit in terms of certifying our own destination management companies (DMCs). Currently, we have started the process to work step by step towards complying with international sustainability standards.
