Amadeus Travel4Impact Network goes global to champion sustainability in travel and tourism

The Amadeus Travel4Impact Network, a beacon for sustainable innovation in the travel and tourism sector, is extending its horizons globally, marking its first foray into the Americas. This expansion underscores a significant stride towards fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and responsible travel and tourism industry worldwide.

With the launch of its 4th edition, Travel4Impact is now inviting applications from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the globe, aiming to bolster their positive impact and fast-track their digital transformation.

Conceived in collaboration with IE University, renowned for its international academic prowess, Travel4Impact has been instrumental in aiding over 60 SMEs since its inception in 2021. Through this program, participants have gained crucial insights into enhancing their business futures, with a program satisfaction survey revealing that 72% of them have seen improved business outlooks.

The upcoming edition, set to commence in September 2024, promises to be a game-changer, with around 40 SMEs poised to embark on a 6-month, fully funded online training and mentoring journey. Led by IE University’s distinguished faculty, this phase aims to refine digital strategies and embed sustainable practices into the core business models of participating SMEs. Notably, 87% of past participants acclaimed the educational support and training for offering a clearer understanding of integrating sustainability into their strategic planning.

Patricia Plesner, CEO of EcoHotels.com and a second edition alumnus, reflects on the transformative experience: “Travel4Impact has not only been enlightening but has also fostered a communal spirit of innovation and sustainability within the industry. Observing and learning from fellow industry players committed to eco-friendly practices has been immensely inspiring.”

In its quest to remain at the forefront of industry needs, Travel4Impact introduces Co-Lab Sprints in this edition – a collaborative effort to generate publications on sustainable travel topics. Additionally, a new consulting initiative will pair participants with Amadeus experts to tackle prevalent business challenges, ensuring SMEs are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the travel and tourism landscape.

Esther Villena, Amadeus’ Global Head of Social Impact, emphasizes the critical role of SMEs in the sector: “Recognizing that SMEs constitute over 80% of the global business presence in travel and tourism, Amadeus is committed to leveraging its central position within the travel ecosystem to effectuate a tangible social impact. Collaborating with IE University on Travel4Impact enables us to empower small businesses, particularly those prioritizing sustainability, to co-create a more equitable and responsible travel and tourism industry.”

Concepción Galdón, Director of the IE Center for Social Innovation & Sustainability at IE University, lauds the program’s community-building aspect: “Travel4Impact unites businesses sharing a profound belief in travel’s potential to positively influence society and the environment. Each training session not only serves as a dynamic learning platform but also accelerates the collective journey towards realizing impactful business outcomes.”

Applications for the 4th edition of Travel4Impact are open until April 30th, 2024, welcoming leaders from SMEs within various sectors of the travel industry. Successful candidates will be notified by IE University between June and July 2024, marking the beginning of their journey towards sustainable excellence and digital prowess in the global travel and tourism industry.

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