In a world that is increasingly aware of the environmental and social challenges it is facing, companies and professionals operating in the MICE sector must take responsibility for organising sustainable business trips. We are at a critical point in which our decisions and actions can make the difference when it comes to looking after the planet and the wellness of local communities. In this post, we’re going to explore different strategies and practices to boost a more responsible form of business tourism, highlighting a number of specific examples that we have observed in the Costa del Sol.
1. Favour sustainable transport
The first step in making business travel more sustainable is the choice of transport. For a number of decades, the Costa del Sol has promoted the use of public transport and other means of getting around that are more respectful to the environment. The public transport system in the province of Malaga gives travellers the option to use buses, metro and local trains to reach the main points of interest, business centres and hotels, thus reducing the need for private vehicles and bringing down travellers’ carbon footprint.
What’s more, the Costa del Sol is running a number of initiatives to promote green ways of getting around such as bike hire and bike lanes in strategic areas. Visitors are therefore able to explore the area in an eco-friendly way while attending events and meetings.
2. Choose sustainable accommodation options
Accommodation is another crucial factor in making business travel more sustainable. The Costa del Sol is a network of hotels and other accommodation options that meet strict environmental certifications. These hotels are committed to reducing water and energy use, correctly managing waste and supporting local communities through corporate social responsibility programmes.
A standout example is the Costa del Sol Sustainable Boutique Hotel in Torremolinos, which has put in place a number of innovative technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and offers volunteering opportunities so that travellers can actively take part in the sustainable development of the region during their stay.
Source: Costa del Sol hotel boutique
3. Make events and meetings eco friendly
When planning events and meetings, it is also important to focus on eco and responsible practices such as using digital technologies and reducing the use of paper by encouraging guests to use applications and online platforms to access important material and documents. In the case of teambuilding programmes, an excellent idea is to choose green activities like reforestation, beach clean-ups, excursions in electric vehicles, corporate social responsibility activities, etc. If you’re not sure where to start, you can turn to local DMCs to help you plan this sort of activity. It’s also important for caterers to promote the use of local and seasonal products such as to support the local economy and reduce the products’ travel footprint.
4. Offset your carbon footprint
The means of transport used to get to the destination, transfers within the Costa del Sol, electricity, waste, etc.: there is no denying that our day-to-day actions have an impact on the environment. And, of course, this impact can be even higher when we travel. To deal with these inevitable emissions, Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol has launched a carbon offsetting programme that invites companies and travellers to calculate and then offset their CO2 emissions by contributing to renewable energy projects and the reforestation of the woodland in the province of Malaga. As such, the tourist board is seeking to neutralise the environmental impact of business travel and contribute to the sustainable development of the community.
The Costa del Sol, a tourist destination that is committed to the environment
Planning a sustainable business trip is an exciting and necessary challenge. In the Costa del Sol, we are proud to be paving the way towards a more responsible form of tourism, focusing on protecting the environment and the wellness of local communities. We hope that these inspirational experiences serve as an example for the MICE sector as a whole. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for business tourism.
