Global Tourism Plastics Initiative
Progress Report 2022
Following a pilot reporting exercise conducted in 2021, this is the first annual report of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI). The report summarises the progress made by GTPI signatories in implementing their commitments throughout 2021.
The report also includes individual company profiles from 10 large accommodation providers (Accor, Club Med, Iberostar Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Palladium Hotel Group, Phāea Resorts, PONANT Cruises, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, TEMES, TUI Group) and 2 suppliers (deSter and Guava Amenities).
You can scroll down for some main findings from the report, or:
Future Priorities
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Significant effort will be required for signatories to implement data collection procedures aligned with GTPI reporting requirements
While 2021 was intended to form a baseline for measuring annual plastic reductions, disruptions due to COVID-19 and data gaps (e.g. missing item weights) mean that in practice it will take multiple years for a representative baseline to be calculated. Effort is required both from signatories to collect data from their properties and from the GTPI to provide relevant supporting information.
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Further support is needed to identify suitable alternatives to plastic items in Category III, particularly in kitchens
Signatories report significant challenges related to plastic reduction in kitchens. Service areas and logistics are also areas in which there is limited progress being made. Future research and capacity building programmes should be tailored to address these challenges.
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More communication about the GTPI to signatory networks is necessary to maintain continued momentum around the initiative
While many report using social media, newsletters, and other means to raise awareness of the GTPI, most signatories could more actively engage their networks to bring new signatories to the initiative. The GTPI team should aim to exchange more regularly with existing signatories to ensure that the resources and support offered are useful, and to understand what else is needed to illustrate the value of the GTPI to tourism businesses looking to join.
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Smaller organisations would benefit from more active engagement after joining the GTPI
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a fundamental role in the tourism economy, making it essential to secure their participation in the GTPI. However, besides announcing that they have become signatories, many smaller organisations show little active involvement with the GTPI, suggesting that they are not being effectively engaged or that the initiative may not be catering to their needs.
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For more information please contact:
Svitlana Mikhalyeva, svitlana.mikhalyeva@un.org and Virginia F. Trapa, vftrapa@unwto.org
