SEGITTUR, with a view to promoting sustainability amongst SMEs in the tourism sector, has prepared its Practical Guide to preparing a sustainability report for small and medium-sized tourism companies, presented in the context of the Smart Destinations Network.
A sustainability report is a document that reflects on the performance of a company in environmental, social and economic matters to its stakeholders. This report is in addition to the report on the company’s annual accounts, providing qualitative information about sustainable practices.
The aim of this report is to encourage sustainable business conduct, responsible involvement throughout supply chains, ensuring human rights and respect for the environment in the company’s different operations.
The report serves for tourism SMEs to undertake an internal and external assessment of their environmental, economic and social performance, with a view to it gradually improving. The document also serves to create a brand image associated with efficient sustainable management, while generating stakeholder confidence.
The Guide sets out all the necessary information for preparing a sustainability report, from the report’s structure, the mandatory content and the target audience in addition to the standards, reference guides, management tools and selection of best practices for tourism SMEs in this field.
What should it feature?
The sustainability report must include information on the projects and activities carried out by the company, as well as the outcome of the assessment, the impact of its activity on the environment and on human rights aspects and the fight against corruption, as well as other topics.
Best Practices
The best practices set out in the guide include the example of Tarannà Travel, which, with a view to minimising the environmental impact and CO2 emissions in the travel process, has pursued a campaign for its travellers that includes a CO2 emissions calculator, in addition to the option of participating in environmental projects.
In turn, worth particular mention is the best practice of the GF Hoteles Group. which facilitates access to the employment market for people with different abilities, as well as the preparation of a work environment survey to ascertain the needs and suggestions of its employees.
The companies participating in the presentation of the Guide, against the backdrop of the Smart Destinations Network, agreed that sustainability reports are a tool for companies to refer to and see how to improve in environmental and social matters, having become an essential tool
