Rethinking travel, tourism and events in the era of global challenges

The event, entitled ‘Rethinking travel, tourism and events in the era of global challenges’, hosted panellists from easyJet, Intrepid Travel, Booking.com, Airbnb and A Greener Festival to share their thoughts on the future of the sector in the face of a complex post-pandemic business environment, growing socio-economic and political inequalities, climate change and conflict worldwide.

The speakers represented expertise from right across the sector: Jane Ashton, Sustainability Director at easyJet; Hazel Maguire, General Manager (UK and Ireland) for Intrepid Travel; Danielle D’Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com; Theo Lomas, Head of Public Policy, Partnerships and Government Relations (Northern Europe) at Airbnb; and Teresa Moore, Director at A Greener Festival (AGF).

From left: The University of Brighton's Marina Novelli; Danielle D'Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com; Theo Lomas, Head of Public Policy, Partnerships and Government Relations (Northern Europe) at Airbnb; Jane Ashton, Sustainability Director at easyJet; Teresa Moore, Director at A Greener Festival; Hazel Maguire, General Manager (UK and Ireland) for Intrepid Travel. Photograph by Chris Dyson Photography.

The event panellists (from left): Danielle D'Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com (facing away); Theo Lomas, Head of Public Policy, Partnerships and Government Relations (Northern Europe) at Airbnb; Jane Ashton, Sustainability Director at easyJet; Teresa Moore, Director at A Greener Festival; Hazel Maguire, General Manager (UK and Ireland) for Intrepid Travel. Photograph by Chris Dyson Photography.

The wide-ranging discussion covered subjects from decarbonisation of air travel and the importance of Government intervention in encouraging ethical consumerism to the problems of overtourism, community cohesion, mobility right and the importance of facilitating seamless and sustainable travel, tourism and events across the world.

All agreed that there were issues which the sector had a responsibility to address, particularly around encouraging and providing sustainable and ethical options for customers. “Travel by its nature involves carbon emissions, so we do as an industry have a huge part to play in keeping that global warming under 1.5C,” Hazel Maguire noted. “We need to work together, because one company doing one thing will not be enough; we will all have to play our part.”

Working in partnership

They also noted, however, that it could not be the responsibility of the sector alone – every panellist cited the need for regulation so that the green choice became the default choice. “There’s a fundamental dichotomy between what people say and do,” Jane Ashton said. “During the pandemic we saw a drop in travel and concern about climate change, but the moment the skies opened again travel bounced back like never before. People say one thing, but when it comes to holidays the vast majority will continue to travel.”

Yet all the panellists also stressed the potential for travel, tourism and events to be a force for good. Hazel Maguire mentioned Intrepid’s work to alleviate overtourism and boost local economies by promoting alternative destinations in tandem with local communities; Teresa Moore talked about her company’s food reclamation scheme, Eighth Plate, which redistributes edible food waste from festivals to food banks and charities; and Theo Lomas discussed Airbnb’s partnership with the Energy Savings Trust to help regular hosts with energy efficiency in their homes.

The audience at Rethinking travel, tourism and events in an era of global challenges. Photograph by Chris Dyson Photography.

Student helpers after the event. Photograph by Chris Dyson Photography.

Ultimately, the panellists agreed, collaboration within the industry was key. “Our companies have all disrupted the industry or been a part of shaping the industry in a really interesting way,” Booking.com’s Danielle D’Silva said, “but to get behind a cause like sustainability or mitigating the climate crisis, or human rights or animal welfare, to put that thinking together, is what is most exciting for me right now.”

“Conscious consumers”

Marina Novelli, Professor of Tourism and International Development in the University’s School of Business and Law and facilitator of the event, has previous experience in working to improve sustainability and social equity in the sector. Among her many other research projects investigating the global impact of travel and tourism, she contributed to Airbnb White Paper aimed at better understanding the regulating landscape of short-term lets in the UK. Based on the findings from this research and public consultation, local communities as well as Airbnb are calling for the UK Government to introduce a simple nationwide registration system for the short-term letting sector.

Speaking of the importance of addressing these and other issues, Professor Novelli said: “Tonight’s conversation is taking place at a particularly critical historical moment – in the post-COVID era when a set of global challenges affect all our lives.”

She added: “As a subject that unifies everyone – everyone has been on holiday or to an event at least once in their life - it’s about trying to understand how we can be aware of these issues and become more conscious consumers, producers and service providers.”

Forging links

The Rethinking Travel, Tourism and Events panel was jointly sponsored by Belong at Brighton, the School of Business and Law, the Business School’s Centre for Change, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (CENTRIM), and the Tourism, Hospitality and Events (THE) Research and Enterprise Group. It is one of many knowledge exchange events which Professor Novelli has facilitated during her 22 years at the University.

Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, introduced the event. He said afterwards: “I am delighted that we were able to hold this event, which embodies our Global Challenges agenda and highlights so many issues which are important to us here at the University of Brighton – sustainability, social justice, climate change and more. Knowledge exchange events such as these are incredibly valuable in advancing solutions to these issues, a goal which lies at the heart of the University of Brighton’s research and knowledge exchange agenda. We seek always to make a significant positive impact on society, our local community, the nation and the world.”

Professor Novelli added: “Events like these are all about forging links, consolidating and developing further collaboration, and raising Brighton’s profile on a global stage. As a University, we are determined to contribute research informed interventions in policy and practice across the economy.

Our work in knowledge exchange highlights the importance of having academia and industry working closely together, and opens up unique opportunities for students by adding value to their learning.”