We can still explore without compromising our planet's health.

As the world moves beyond the pandemic and travel picks up, the U.S. travel industry has a crucial chance to redefine itself and foster a sustainable future. The clear roads and clean skies we experienced during the early pandemic shouldn’t just be a fleeting moment. We can establish a greener travel sector that allows us to prioritize sustainability without limiting our journeys.

In 2021, the transportation sector represented 31% of total greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor, with most of this stemming from automobile travel. This highlights the significant challenges facing the U.S. travel industry as it seeks to promote comprehensive decarbonization. A unified approach across the industry is essential to devise solutions that allow travelers to explore both the U.S. and the globe while being mindful of their carbon footprint.

This is exactly why the U.S. Travel Association initiated the Sustainable Travel Coalition this summer. Comprising over 60 member organizations, this coalition serves as a guiding body to address sustainability challenges and opportunities in the travel sector. It unites stakeholders from various industries as we seek to implement transformative policies and programs in travel, transportation, and technology for the long term. As an initial action, the coalition, along with other industry players, sent a letter to Congress advocating for critical policies to minimize travel's environmental impact.

As climate change intensifies, it poses significant risks to the travel and tourism sectors, threatening the industry's future and the survival of numerous destinations. Essentially, travel must evolve towards sustainability—its very survival hinges on this. As industry leaders push for change, consumer demands, corporate objectives, and government regulations will necessitate new strategies and practices.

The Sustainable Travel Coalition can play a vital role in supporting the broader business landscape. An increasing number of companies are setting ambitious targets to cut their carbon emissions. Since business travel constitutes a major share of emissions for many firms, reaching net-zero will require either reducing travel or enhancing sustainable travel options. Addressing challenges like expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and improving sustainable aviation fuel supply is essential for the evolution of business travel.

It's crucial for business travelers and the travel sector to align as we move forward. Facilitating face-to-face business interactions while adhering to carbon reduction commitments is essential. Leading travel brands are making significant progress in sustainability, enabling business travelers to achieve similar goals. For example, Marriott International aims to drastically cut water usage and carbon emissions, while Delta Air Lines plans to replace 10% of its fossil fuel-derived jet fuel with sustainable alternatives by 2030.

Consumers are increasingly concerned about these matters. A 2021 Ipsos poll revealed that one in four Americans plans to take fewer leisure trips over the next two to five years compared to before the pandemic. Furthermore, travel demand would likely rise if more sustainable, seamless, secure, and modern travel options were available to Americans.

The Sustainable Travel Coalition is prioritizing several immediate policy initiatives and long-term objectives aimed at enhancing sustainability for both business and leisure travelers. Many of the coalition's early goals—such as providing tax incentives for producing and using sustainable aviation fuels and securing federal funding to protect and restore natural attractions—were recently enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act.

To further the coalition's vision for a sustainable future, the U.S. Travel Association recently gathered global leaders from the travel, transportation, and technology sectors, alongside elected officials and policy influencers, at its annual Future of Travel Mobility event. Participants discussed key policy initiatives, technological innovations for safer travel, and collaborative efforts across industries to enhance sustainability objectives.

Significant challenges lie ahead. As the climate crisis progresses, our only path forward is to embrace a future that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than any we have experienced. Together, we can ensure that we never have to choose between exploring the planet and protecting it.