Citing the significant use of plastics in the tourism industry, The Pacific Asia Travel Association has launched a new online resource to help members cut back on the “unsustainable” practice ¬– a goal that PATA says has been derailed by the pandemic.

The course, “Targeting Zero Plastics in Tourism Businesses” – designed in conjunction with UNESCO, and the Expedia Group – was launched in conjunction with this year’s PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF), held in Songkhla, Thailand earlier this month.

In March, PATA started a collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the goal of advising tourism and hospitality businesses on plastic waste reduction, resulting in development of the online course, which provides step-by-step guidance on minimizing the sourcing and consumption of single-use plastics as well advocating the importance for organizations to sign the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge.

The Pledge, which is a collaboration between UNESCO and Expedia Group, is open and applicable to all tourism businesses, regardless of their size or location. By signing the Pledge, they will be joining a network of leading tourism and hospitality businesses that are helping their destinations in the development of sustainable tourism.

“The Sustainable Travel Pledge is particularly timely as we work to build a new kind of tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, by inviting local tourism stakeholders to commit to inclusive and sustainable measures,” says UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone R. (sic).

“The pandemic caused hardship in tourism destinations worldwide, but also led to severe setbacks in our fight against plastic waste,” adds PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera. “Now is the time to take action and strive for a more sustainable tourism and hospitality industry.”

PATA says “the amount of plastics we currently produce, consume and dispose of is unsustainable, and tourism activities and hospitality businesses do contribute largely to this issue,” pointing out that in the Mediterranean alone, marine litter increases up to 40% during tourist peak season (One Planet, 2021), posing a threat to tourism destinations themselves.

“It is essential for hotels, restaurants, tour operators and all other tourism businesses to reduce the amount of plastics they generate and dispose of the unavoidable plastics responsibly if they wish to protect the very assets they rely on to attract customers,” observes Ang Choo Pin, Managing Director Asia, Expedia Group.

By reducing single-use plastics, tourism and hospitality businesses help protect the destination’s ecosystems, but also support the local community and economy by sourcing local products and using resources and services that reduces reliance on international supply chains as well as economic leakages. Moreover, local artisanal products are more likely to be made of natural, renewable materials than mass-produced ones.

“The course developed by PATA is an incredible resource for businesses to understand the relationships between communities, culture, and environmental protection through plastic waste reduction,” says Dr. Hanh Duong Bich, Program Specialist and Chief of Culture Unit at UNESCO Office in Bangkok. “It gives great guidance and examples on how businesses can help fight plastic waste and at the same time promote local heritage and strengthen local supply chains.”

The course, “Targeting Zero Plastics in Tourism Businesses – with UNESCO, PATA & Expedia Group” is open-sourced and available on PATA’s website. Participants can receive a certificate if they achieve the minimum required score in the final quiz.