Zurich, Switzerland – Neste Corporation has announced a partnership with Hotelplan Group to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), enhancing Hotelplan’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. This strategic move will enable Hotelplan, a globally active Swiss travel group, to offer more carbon-neutral travel options to its customers by incorporating SAF into its flights. The purchase, valued at 300,000 Swiss Francs (CHF), will be made via Neste Impact, a solution designed to help companies reduce the carbon emissions of their air travel activities.
Hotelplan Group’s broader strategy includes promoting the use of SAF and investing in technologies like direct air capture to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. With 87% of Hotelplan’s greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions coming from customer flights, this initiative marks a significant step towards mitigating its environmental impact. The SAF from Neste will be available to Hotelplan’s customers as an option when booking flights, enabling them to choose more sustainable travel methods.
“We don’t yet have all the answers to the issues related to more sustainable development of tourism. But we are adopting a proactive approach to develop our sustainability strategy, focusing on innovative solutions and actively seeking ways to assume responsibility,” said Laura Meyer, CEO of Hotelplan Group. “By purchasing SAF for the entire Hotelplan Group, we can secure larger volumes of SAF and make it available to our customers. This will also allow us to support the ongoing development and scaling of this innovative technology.”
“We are excited Hotelplan Group is purchasing SAF via our Neste Impact solution, enabling them to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from their aviation activities and to offer their customers a lower-emission alternative for traveling for business or leisure,” said Kimmo Salminen, Vice President, Market Development & Strategy at Neste’s Renewable Products business.
Analysis
Hotelplan Group’s partnership with Neste represents a significant step in fulfilling the growing demand for carbon-neutral travel services. By investing in SAF, Hotelplan not only reduces its carbon footprint but also responds to customer needs for more environmentally responsible travel options. This partnership highlights a practical approach to sustainability, where companies meet market demands while working towards emission reduction goals.
Neste Impact, which follows a book and claim approach, ensures that the SAF purchased is used to replace fossil jet fuel in the aviation sector, providing credible emission reductions. This transparency and commitment to sustainability are likely to resonate with eco-conscious travelers, potentially influencing their travel choices. Moreover, Hotelplan’s initiative aligns with increasing public demand for transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability efforts.
“By purchasing SAF for the entire Hotelplan Group, we can secure larger volumes of SAF and make it available to our customers. This will also allow us to support the ongoing development and scaling of this innovative technology.”
However, this initiative is also a test of consumer willingness to embrace higher costs for sustainable travel options. While the environmental benefits of SAF are clear, its limited availability and higher production costs remain challenges. Hotelplan’s proactive stance in securing larger volumes of SAF and making it available to customers is commendable, but it will require continuous efforts to educate and engage passengers on the importance of sustainable travel practices.
The travel industry is at a crossroads, where balancing economic viability with environmental responsibility is crucial. Partnerships like the one between Hotelplan and Neste are essential for driving innovation and scaling sustainable technologies. As regulatory pressures and consumer expectations for sustainable travel increase, such collaborations will likely become more common, setting new standards for the industry.
About Neste: Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) transforms waste and other resources into renewable fuels and circular raw materials using innovative technology. As the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, Neste aims to help customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030. Committed to carbon-neutral production by 2035, Neste is consistently recognized for its sustainability efforts.
About Hotelplan Group: Hotelplan Group is a Swiss travel group with annual sales of CHF 1,730.7 million (2023). With around 2,500 employees across 18 countries, Hotelplan offers exceptional travel experiences focused on sustainability. The group includes brands like Hotelplan, Migros Ferien, vtours, and Interhome, as well as business travel specialists bta first travel and Finass Reisen. Hotelplan is wholly owned by Migros Genossenschafts-Bund, Switzerland’s largest retail organization.
