Travel management company (TMC), BCD Travel, has made public its corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy that is designed to be a global code of conduct for all the company's operating units, including subsidiaries Advito and BCD Meetings & Incentives.
Although local CSR initiatives have been in place at the company's various locations across the globe, this united worldwide policy is designed to unify factors such as key performance indicators (KPIs), central audits and reporting.
”Our commitment to CSR mirrors the commitment of our clients, who face the challenge of creating and managing cost effective travel programmes that are environmentally sustainable and socially accountable,” said CEO, Mike Buckman.
The unified CSR approach is in part due to an increased client demand for more information about the suppliers they are booking with. ”Over the past six months, we've seen a significant increase in tenders, for example, that require detailed information about our CSR stance and initiatives ” especially in European bids, this is no longer a ”check the box throwaway,” said Buckman.
Highlighting the increased focus on carbon emissions in the travel industry over recent years, BCD Travel is keen to broaden its clients” perception of how sustainable business travel can help each organisation reach its CSR goal.
”Our Responsible Travel Management solutions move beyond 'green travel' to look at the areas of both sustainability and accountability travel management, which focuses on issues like traveller wellbeing and ethical travel procurement,” explained general manager of Advito and executive sponsor of BCD Travel's CSR initiative, Mary Ellen George.