DENVER, August 4, 2015 – Showcasing more than a decade of leadership while taking on the challenge of climate change, global hospitality company Xanterra Travel Collection has released its 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, defining and measuring its innovative sustainability improvements. The report also announces ambitious stretch targets for the next decade.
The report presents details of improvements measured against goals announced in 2004. The company tracks its environmental performance across all aspects of its operations using an ISO 14001 audited program launched in 2002.
Xanterra entities include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, a cruise line, railway and adventure tour companies. The company has experienced rapid growth in recent years, adding Windstar Cruises, Austin Adventures, Country Walkers, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Kingsmill Resort and the Grand Hotel.
“As we reflect upon the 10 years of hard work required to meet our initial sustainability goals, we applaud the dedicated – and innovative – employees whose ideas and passion are often behind many of our success stories,” said Catherine Greener, vice president of sustainability for the company. “Although we have met and even exceeded many of our goals, we see opportunities for improvement. By carefully tracking and measuring our performance we can re-evaluate our many programs, recalibrate them as needed and continue on our important journey to leave a softer footprint in the places we manage and impact.”
Addressing Climate Change:
Xanterra took a leadership position to address climate change almost two decades ago as it became increasingly apparent that the warming of the world’s oceans and other signs of climate change were having a dangerous and disturbing impact on Xanterra locations. Since 2000, the company has reduced total fossil fuel consumption company-wide by 29 percent and decreased greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5 percent. In 2004 Xanterra became one of the initial signatory members of the World Wildlife Fund Climate Savers program and the only national park concessioner to commit to the program’s goals. The company is the only national park concessioner and one of the few hospitality companies to sign the Ceres Climate Declaration, which identifies climate change as one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century.
Sustainability Goals and Programs:
The company organizes its sustainability goals and efforts under four pillars: use resources efficiently and effectively; strive for zero waste; build and operate sustainably; and provide guests with sustainable choices. These pillars guide decision-making at every level of the company, including food and beverage sourcing for restaurants, choosing fleet vehicles and choice of paints for guest rooms.
Successes:
The report identified many areas where the company exceeded or came close to meeting its goals 2004, including:
Additionally, Xanterra made progress in meeting its goals to:
New goals:
The company’s aggressive goals for the next 10 years – 2015 through 2025 – include:
Best practices:
The report also identified specific and innovative programs that have resulted in significant successes. Among them:
Risk management, philanthropy and sustainability awards and certifications
The report also provides details of some of Xanterra’s risk management programs and global philanthropy programs.
Among the successful risk management programs cited in the report is a first responder program and emergency preparedness planning. Xanterra’s performance in the categories of loss rates and lost time rates both exceed industry averages.
Xanterra is also active in numerous local and global philanthropic programs such as community scholarships in the Grand Canyon, Windstar Cruises’ support for port communities, Yellowstone’s regional partnerships with a volunteer fire department, ambulance service and community Thanksgiving dinner. Other organizations supported by Xanterra include Protect the Flows, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Ducks Unlimited, United Way and Ronald McDonald House.
Lastly, the report lists some of the numerous awards and certifications Xanterra has received for its sustainability programs.
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