Thurgau Travel and Sustainability Report 2023
Thurgau Travel, a pioneering Swiss river cruise company on a global scale, has published its first sustainability report for the year 2023. This step not only enhances transparency but also lays the groundwork for further actions aimed at improving and ensuring long-term sustainability.
In 2023, Thurgau Travel worked intensively to develop and revise a more sustainable river travel experience. This effort led to the creation of the first sustainability report in the nearly 23-year history of the company. Sustainable tourism, says CEO Daniel Pauli-Kaufmann, is only possible if everyone actively examines their actions and consistently aligns them with ecological, social, and operational principles for sustainable development, a fundamental point in Thurgau Travel’s vision.
The report was developed in collaboration with the University of Lucerne (HSLU), under the direction of Prof. Dr. Julianna Priskin and Melanie Wyss from the Institute for Tourism and Mobility (ITM). The document focuses on three main themes: Pioneering Role through Innovative Management; Climate Protection through Resource Efficiency; Relevance through Co-creation.
Flotta di navi Thurgau Travel (2)
Flotta di navi Thurgau Travel
Regarding the Pioneering Role through Innovative Management, Thurgau Travel recognizes the climate crisis as one of the greatest current challenges. Integrating sustainability into corporate management allows it to be directly considered in the acquisition and design of new products. This includes long-term collaboration with partners such as navigation companies and excursion agencies.
On the second theme, Relevance through Co-creation, the company has initiated a proactive dialogue on sustainability with key stakeholders. The goal is for 60% of navigation partners to commit to more sustainable development with Thurgau Travel.
The final point, Climate Protection through Resource Efficiency, sees Thurgau Travel committed to reducing and, where possible, avoiding negative impacts on climate change with its products, both directly and indirectly. This includes the use of more eco-friendly ships like the Thurgau Gold, which, thanks to “Stage V” class engines and AdBlue-enriched fuel, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 97%. In 2024, Thurgau Travel also aims to achieve 10% more CO₂ compensation and reduce meat consumption on board by 5% thanks to a broader range of vegetarian menus.
Thurgau Gold
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The sustainability report also highlights the successes already achieved. For example, the company has significantly reduced waste on board through the use of a sustainable soap refill system and saved thousands of plastic bottles annually thanks to water dispensers available for guests and crew.
Pauli-Kaufmann states that with this first sustainability report, the company wants to show the values they represent and what they are doing to address sustainability challenges. Sustainability, continues the CEO, is a fixed point in every board meeting, a clear sign of the importance of this issue in all business areas, from strategy to operational implementation by employees, partners, and guests.
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