Audley Travel makes ‘great progress’ with sustainability goals

Audley Travel made “great progress” towards its sustainability targets last year, meeting 89% of its goals around environmental, social and governance (ESG).  

The tailor-made operator summarised its progress in its fifth annual Sustainability Report, which outlines the 36 annual targets in place to ensure the business operates “ethically and responsibly”.

Highlights of the report include the addition of 200 products to Audley’s Responsible Choice collection, which identifies stays and experiences that benefit local communities and the environment. There is now 498 properties and itineraries in the collection.

The operator also boosted its career-building initiatives last year. It connected with more than 2,000 students across the UK and US, and hosted nine Insight sessions to educate young people from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds on career opportunities in the travel industry. The team also secured week-long work experience placements for 46 students and four 12-month undergraduate placements.

The report also outlined Audley’s commitment to volunteer work, with more than 55% of employees using at least half a day to help out in local communities during 2024.

Additionally, Audley delivered a range of supplier workshops to share energy-saving tips and continued working with carbon consultant eCollective to identify ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

Sabrina Parker, the operator’s global sustainability manager, said: “Responsible travel has long been at the heart of what we do, and our ambition and commitment to being as sustainable a business as we can remains.

“This year we continued the expansion of our Responsible Choice collection – an example of our continued partnerships with suppliers who place importance in both environmental and social sustainability in their operations. Volunteering and philanthropy initiatives have also remained high on the agenda in 2024, inspiring the Audley team, as well as the next generation interested in a career in the travel sector, to think about the bigger picture of sustainable travel.

“As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we’ll continue to challenge our ambitions in this area, as part of our journey as an organisation that aims to benefit people, communities and the planet for years to come.”