Latest news with #GDSMovement
Hospitality Net
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
ETC and GDS-Movement Launch White Paper to Help Destinations Navigate EU Sustainability Rules
The European Travel Commission (ETC) and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) have released a white paper, 'A Destination's Guide to the New EU Sustainability Regulations', at IMEX Frankfurt 2025. This guide aims to help destinations in the tourism industry navigate significant upcoming regulatory changes. Being prepared helps Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) ensure sustainability compliance, reduce negative environmental impacts, mitigate reputational damage, achieve financial and legal immunity, and create new business opportunities. The new directives — the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and the Green Claims Directive (GCD) — will require greater transparency, accountability, and stricter management of sustainability claims, reshaping how destination management organisations operate and communicate their environmental impacts. These regulations apply not only to destinations and businesses within Europe, but to any organisation operating in the EU market, including global accommodation platforms and digital intermediaries. This white paper was launched to help NTOs, DMOs, and the wider tourism industry navigate these changes and offers practical steps to achieving compliance, managing risks, and seizing new opportunities. It also provides guidance on updated sustainability reporting and compliant communication strategies to help organisations navigate the evolving legislative landscape with confidence. Sustainability is now a key factor in how destinations are viewed and engaged with. NTOs and DMOs are in a unique position to lead the way, helping local businesses and stakeholders navigate the shift to more responsible, responsive tourism. With new EU rules on the horizon, it's essential they stay ahead of the curve and set the example for others to follow. ETC CEO, Eduardo Santander Proactive destinations can lead by example while honouring the new regulations. This is not just about compliance – it's about leadership and new scope. Destinations that act now will build trust, enhance their reputations, and be better-positioned for long-term success. Guy Bigwood, CEO of the GDS-Movement The white paper highlights three key actions: Understanding the roles and responsibilities involved in complying with the new EU directives. Aligning with the regulations, marketing claims, and destination management strategies. Tackling the risks of non-compliance and the opportunities of early adoption, such as improved reputation, new funding channels, and enhanced visitor trust. To further support the industry in this transition, ETC and GDS-Movement will host two webinars, on 10 and 11 June 2025, offering additional insights and practical next steps. The full white paper can be downloaded here. About European Travel Commission Established in 1948, the European Travel Commission is a unique association in the travel sector, representing the National Tourism Organisations of the countries of Europe. Its mission is to strengthen the sustainable development of Europe as a tourist destination. In the last several decades, ETC has positioned itself at the forefront of the European tourism scene, establishing its expertise and building up partnerships in areas of tourism, based on promotion, market intelligence and best practice sharing. View source
Travel Daily News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
GDS-Movement and ETC urge destinations to get ahead of new EU Green Rules
GDS-Movement and ETC launch white paper to guide destinations on EU sustainability regulations, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and new business opportunities. FRANKFURT – The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) launched a white paper, A Destination's Guide to the New EU Sustainability Regulations, at IMEX Frankfurt 2025. It aims to help destinations in the tourism and events industry better prepare for significant upcoming regulatory changes. Being prepared will support companies with sustainability compliance, negative environmental impact reduction, reputational damage mitigation, financial and legal immunity, and new business opportunities. With the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD), and the Green Claims Directive (GCD) coming into effect, the message is clear: 'Proactive destinations can lead by example while honouring the new regulations', as Guy Bigwood, CEO, GDS-Movement said. The new directives will require greater transparency, accountability, and stricter management of sustainability claims, reshaping how destination management organisations and event associations operate and communicate their environmental impacts. These regulations apply not only to destinations and businesses within Europe, but to any organisation operating in the EU market, including global accommodation platforms and digital intermediaries. This white paper was launched to help National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and the wider tourism and events industry navigate these changes and offers a roadmap, outlining practical steps to achieving compliance, managing risks, and seizing new opportunities. It also provides guidance on updated sustainability reporting and compliant communication strategies to help organisations navigate the evolving legislative landscape with confidence. 'This is not just about compliance – it's about leadership and new scope,' Bigwood commented. 'Destinations that act now will build trust, enhance their reputations, and be better-positioned for long-term success.' The white paper highlights three key actions: Understanding the roles and responsibilities involved in complying with the new EU directives Practical steps for aligning with the regulations, marketing claims, and destination management strategies How to tackle the risks of non-compliance and the opportunities of early adoption, such as improved reputation, new funding channels, and enhanced visitor trust One key opportunity is the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSME), a simplified ESG reporting framework developed by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG). Although voluntary, this process can help DMOs that are SMEs access additional green financing, improve risk management, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. 'Sustainability is now a key factor in how destinations are viewed and engaged with,' added Eduardo Santander, CEO of ETC. 'NTOs and DMOs are in a unique position to lead the way, helping local businesses and stakeholders navigate the shift to more responsible, responsive tourism. With new EU rules on the horizon, it's essential they stay ahead of the curve and set the example for others to follow', he said. Page 1 / 25 Zoom 100%
Travel Daily News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
New survey: Destinations want change, but funding still lags behind
New global survey by Conferli, #MEET4IMPACT, and GDS-Movement reveals a gap between ambition and action in destinations' events funding mechanisms. FRANKFURT – Subvention, the financial and in-kind support that destinations provide to associations hosting events, is at a crossroads. According to preliminary, new findings from a survey conducted by Conferli, in collaboration with #MEET4IMPACT and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement), 91% of participating destinations say they want to drive positive change through subvention. Yet only 6% have fully integrated legacy and impact criteria into their programmes. The survey, which gathered insights from 115 destinations across five continents, reveals momentum and misalignment. While nearly 77% of destinations currently offer subvention solutions, most still prioritise traditional economic indicators like room nights and delegate spend in their events sustainability strategy. 'We launched this survey to surface the truth behind the subvention discourse,' said Nienke van der Malen, CEO & Founder of Conferli. 'Destinations often talk about change, but the data doesn't lie – most are still funding events the same way they did five or ten years ago. If we want to support a more sustainable and inclusive events sector, how we fund and incentivise events must evolve too.' Key Findings at a Glance: 91% of destinations want to use subvention to drive change Only 6% have fully embedded environmental or social impact criteria 40% expect to introduce formal sustainability requirements within 24 months 66% say budget constraints are the main barrier to offering subvention Only 17% of current subvention schemes require social or environmental outcomes Despite the growing desire to fund events that leave a positive legacy, the majority of funding criteria continue to prioritise (in order of importance): Event type and strategic alignment with sectors Volume of out-of-region delegates Room nights and occupancy impact Government policy alignment 'Destinations have a unique opportunity to catalyse change through innovative funding models,' said Guy Bigwood, CEO at the GDS-Movement. 'Subvention should be more than a transactional incentive; it can be a powerful tool to accelerate sustainability, drive regeneration, and foster meaningful local impact. Yet, with only 6% of programmes fully embedding impact criteria, too many Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) are still investing in short-term wins over long-term legacy. Having said this – the seed of change is germinating.' Among the destinations that do go beyond economic return: 20% offer fully-integrated support packages (e.g. sustainability roadmaps, legacy plans) 29% facilitate partnerships between organisers and local interested parties 32% provide practical tools like checklists or best-practice guides Almost 50% of destinations that offer support run two or more subvention programmes, tailoring support to suit both flagship congresses and smaller, high-impact events. 'We work closely with CVBs and associations, and we see growing demand for more purposeful event funding,' added Geneviève Leclerc, Co-founder of #MEET4IMPACT. 'Indeed, subvention can be so much more than a financial incentive. Using it wisely becomes a lever to drive better behaviours – more responsible procurement, smarter mobility choices, and stronger local partnerships. Right now, too many programmes still reward volume over values. But if we truly want events to leave a lasting legacy, then how we fund them has to reflect the impact we hope they'll create.' This Early Insights Report provides a first look at global subvention trends. The full study, which will include in-depth case studies and association perspectives, is set to launch in July 2025.
