Nicole Taylor is strategic procurement advisor at AtkinsRéalis
Nicole Taylor will join Andrew Perolls from Greengage Consulting on stage at
Business Travel Show Europe next week to discuss how companies can make greener
hotel choices. The session takes place at 12pm, Thursday 20 June, ExCeL, London.
Do you think sustainable travel is possible? What's the best way for us to achieve it?
Absolutely. There are a few ways we can achieve sustainable travel, but for me, the biggest thing is through behaviour and engagement. We can do all this amazing work and have a thorough, defined green hotel programme in place, for example, but if travellers aren’t engaged, it could all be for nothing.
There is an education piece to tackle around sustainable travel. If we want our travellers to engage with a sustainable travel programme, make a shift in their behaviours and make environmentally conscious decisions, they need to be educated on what impact they are having as an individual traveller in a way that is tangible and relates to them. A green leaf on a portal to identify a ‘green’ hotel is not enough – most bookers don’t understand what that means.
What are some of the key sustainability developments that business travel buyers should be aware of?
One topic at the top of everyone’s agendas is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. With 2025 fast approaching and being the first year in which the data for the previous year is required, I think many organisations are still figuring out the methodology of reporting for this.
Please share one tip to help travel managers make greener hotel choices.
Never underestimate the big impacts that small changes can have.
As Business Travel Show Europe marks its 30th anniversary this
year, what would you say is the biggest innovation to positively impact
corporate travel in the three decades since the event was founded?
Artificial
intelligence is the biggest innovation to impact the world we live in. I
am not an expert on AI, but I expect it will transform the travel
industry and optimise efficiency regarding how travellers can book
travel with personalised solutions and recommendations based on past
travelling behaviour.
Why is Business Travel Show Europe such a key date in your schedule?
This year is my first time attending the show – I have heard a lot of great things about it over the last few years. It is the largest event of the year for the entire industry for Europe, where all people working in travel – from buyers, travel management companies and suppliers – get the chance to network, so I’m excited to attend.
Business Travel
Show Europe takes place at ExCeL London on 19-20 June. Travel
bookers, managers and procurement personnel can register for free attendance here.