Thomas Cook was a British travel company that operated for over 180 years before it declared bankruptcy in September 2019. During its existence, the company played a significant role in the global tourism industry, organizing travel arrangements for millions of people around the world. However, Thomas Cook also had a significant environmental impact due to its operations, which included air travel, hotel accommodations, and package tours to a variety of destinations. In this essay, we will discuss the environmental impact of Thomas Cook and the steps the company took to address its environmental responsibilities.
One of the primary environmental concerns associated with Thomas Cook was its reliance on air travel. Air travel is a significant contributor to climate change due to the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from jet engines. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the transportation sector is responsible for approximately 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and a significant portion of these emissions come from aviation. As a major player in the travel industry, Thomas Cook contributed to these emissions through the transportation of millions of passengers on flights to various destinations.
In an effort to address its environmental impact, Thomas Cook implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its carbon emissions. These included investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft, offsetting its carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon credits, and implementing a variety of energy-saving measures at its hotels and resorts. For example, the company introduced energy-efficient lighting and heating systems at its hotels, as well as water-saving measures such as low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets.
Another environmental concern associated with Thomas Cook was the impact of its operations on the destinations it served. As a travel company, Thomas Cook brought millions of tourists to destinations around the world, which could put strain on local ecosystems and communities. For example, the influx of tourists to a destination could lead to overcrowding and the overuse of natural resources such as water and energy. To address these concerns, Thomas Cook implemented a number of sustainability initiatives at its hotels and resorts. These included initiatives to reduce water and energy consumption, as well as programs to support local communities and promote sustainable tourism practices.
In conclusion, while Thomas Cook played a significant role in the global tourism industry, it also had a significant environmental impact due to its reliance on air travel and its operations in various destinations around the world. The company took steps to address these environmental concerns through a variety of initiatives, including investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft, offsetting its carbon emissions, and implementing energy and water-saving measures at its hotels and resorts. However, the company's efforts were not enough to prevent its bankruptcy in 2019, which was largely due to financial mismanagement rather than environmental concerns.