Biodiversity management at TUI
As a global player, TUI is aware that its business operations all the way along the value chain at local,
regional and global level have an impact on biodiversity. At the same time, tourism is more dependent
than any other sector on a healthy natural environment. TUI has been committed since the early
1990s to concrete projects and partnership agreements in a dialogue with scientists, politicians and
conservationists with a view to protecting diversity. The TUI Group has set itself the strategic objective
of valorising biological diversity on an enduring basis as the natural capital of holiday destinations and
the living foundations on which tourism is founded – today and for future generations.
Referring attachments: TUI Biodiversity Strategy, TUI Code of Conduct
Analysis of commercial operations and their impact on biodiversity. TUI regularly conducts an
environmental monitoring in destinations, hotels and associated companies, steadily expanding its
scope and taking its cue from the latest international standards (e.g. the Global Reporting Initiative
guidelines and the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria). Biodiversity factors have played their part in
this from the outset and are regularly revised and expanded in line with international rules. Analytical
findings are used to describe current status and provide a basis for sustainability reporting. They also
serve to identify risks and opportunities with regard to the various aspects of sustainability and
biodiversity, and these are taken into account in present and future business operations.
Referring attachments: TUI Destination Monitoring Criteria
Biodiversity in the corporate structure. 20 years ago TUI was the first major tour operator in the
world to appoint an environment officer and set up a department of environmental management, which
has been expanding continuously. Biodiversity has been a priority in this commitment ever since TUI
began working for the environment. The Group’s sustainability coordinators regularly exchange
information about the initiatives they are taking and their approach to biodiversity. There is a webbased platform for posting best practice, technical information and discussion papers. The database
encourages an exchange of experience about dealing with biodiversity issues and helps to publicise
successful conservation projects within the Group. Documents with information for guests can, for
example, be downloaded here by anyone in the Group.
Environmental awards and minimum standards. For many years we have been motivating our
hotel partners by awarding titles such as the TUI Environment Champion or, within the Group, the
EcoResort label for sustainable hotel management. Both awards include biodiversity issues among
the criteria. The winners gain a competitive advantage because they are flagged up by the special
label and explicitly mentioned in TUI catalogues and on the booking websites. TUI supports the
European Travelife System which is a web-based facility providing support, advice and tools to help
suppliers to improve their environmental and social performance and to save money. Hoteliers
reaching a certain performance level can apply for an audit which provides them with the opportunity
to be noted in the catalogues of tour operators through the Travelife bronze, silver or
gold sustainability logos. To commit contract partners to more sustainability in their business, TUI UK
& Ireland developed a “Sustainable Development Addendum” in 2009 which will successively be
added to the hotel contracts (starting with source market Northern Region, Western Europe as well as
Specialists Sector and New Markets in this year). To ensure the quality of excursion services, TUI
Travel adopted guidelines in 2008 on protecting animals in captivity. The Group Captive Animal
Welfare Guidance is geared to the animal and species protection guidelines from Travelife, which the
company played a lead role in drawing up. Conservation associations were consulted over the
Travelife Animal Attractions Handbook. The manual includes, for example, a quality check for
dolphinariums based on the IUCN requirements and the provisions of the Washington Convention
(CITES).
Referring attachments: TUI Environmental Champion Criteria; www.ecoresort-tui.com,
www.travelife.eu
Guest and employee sensitization. TUI is keeping guests and employees informed and aware
about the environment, conservation and biodiversity through catalogues, posters, brochures,
leaflets and awareness campaigns in cooperation with the UNEP/CMS (Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Living Animals). Together with the Federal Agency
for Nature Conservation (BfN) in Germany, TUI AG published a souvenir guide in 2009 which
takes account of biodiversity issues. It is distributed in over 20 holiday regions where illegal
trading in souvenirs often involves endangered species. Since November 2009, the TUIfly fleet
has also included biodiversity ads produced by the BfN in the in-flight viewing schedule.
Referring attachments: TUI souvenir guide (German language, English translation in
preparation)
Sustainable product development. Targeting our product development towards sustainability
and future viability is a key part of our work. Together with the nature conservation
organisations ‘Sociedad Española de Cetáceos’ (Tenerife) and ‘M.E.E.R. e.V.’ (La Gomera and
Tenerife), TUI developed sustainable whale watching excursions on the Canary Islands. To
avoid negative impacts on the cetaceans these excursions are strictly conducted according to
the principles of sustainability and species protection and raise the awareness of
holidaymakers by providing trained guides and information material on the subject. Other
responsible excursions take place in Kenya and on the Azores. As a further sustainable product
TUI offers volunteering with i-to-i Travel. Here customers can combine travel experience with
voluntary environmental or social commitment. Locals in more than 20 destinations organise
environmental and community projects that our customers can support on site by providing their
manpower (e.g. for wildlife conservation projects in Africa). In cooperation with the Global
Nature Fund (GNF) TUI offers an environmental excursion in Sri Lanka. The excursion takes
participants to the Madampa Lake in the Ambalangoda region. In the training centre, visitors
are given an introduction to the biodiversity in the lake and to diverse environmental and
auxiliary programmes carried out by the local population.
Referring attachments: TUI Guidelines for sustainable whale watching, TUI Environmental
excursion in Sri Lanka - description