In a collaborative process involving public consultation and experts from the tourism and meeting industry together with external stakeholders, Convention Bureau Tirol (CBT) has developed a sustainability strategy for Tirol as a congress and meeting destination. Convention Bureau Tirol aims to expand its role as a sustainable competence centre in the MICE sector (MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events). The global pandemic has increased the desire for authenticity, closeness to nature and the responsible use of resources and living space. As a role model in the Alpine region, CBT, therefore, intends to consistently implement bold and future-oriented steps both in its own further development, as well as contributing to the innovative and sustainable development of the meeting industry.
Specific measures planned
The strategy, entitled “ReGeneration NOW”, sheds light on the motives behind the initiative and includes a comprehensive action plan with concrete and holistic goals based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. In the four defined fields of action, the so-called 4 Ps, RegenerationNOW commits to a strong role model effect, for example through a significant increase in certifications, sustainable mobility, social commitment and “green meetings”. This paves the way for Tirol, as a congress and conference destination, to take the role of a social, economic and ecological trailblazer in the tourism sector.
Find the detailed sustainability strategy “ReGeneration NOW” here.
GDS-Index Benchmarking
In order to better identify and quantify this sustainable development, Convention Bureau Tirol has subjected itself to an extensive, international destination benchmarking process according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), in which over 80 performance criteria in the areas of environment, social affairs, suppliers and destination management are assessed. When it first took part in the GDS benchmarking index, Meeting Destination Tirol was immediately catapulted into the upper echelons of the world’s most sustainable congress destinations: Conventionland Tirol was the first ever congress destination to land at 6th place in the GDS Index and therefore amongst the top 10, with over 70 participating destinations. This is the fruit of the labour and commitment of all those at Conventionland Tirol and its associated stakeholders.
Particularly good results were achieved in the areas of environment, social issues and destination management. The sustainability strategy of the CBT and the new tourism strategy ” Tiroler Weg” (Tyrolean Way) have contributed significantly to this. There is still room for improvement in the area of the value chain. This includes, for example, the certification of individual businesses, travel options and impact management. The corresponding next steps can already be found in the catalogue of measures of the Convention Bureau Tirol.
Convention Bureau Tirol
As a professional and free service and advisory centre, Convention Bureau Tirol and its network of over 60 partner companies, such as congress centres, locations, conference hotels and agencies, support the organisation of congresses, conferences, incentives and other events with green ideas, sustainable information and suitable contacts. Convention Bureau Tirol thus assumes the role of central marketing organiser and advocate for Tirol as congress and event venue.
Further information is available at www.convention.tirol.
