Abstract

European tour-operators have become more involved in building long-term relationships between tourists, governments and local communities across the world. Having an enormous economic and social potential tour-operators have the capabilities to inspire a significant movement towards tourism sustainability. This research presents case studies of three global tour-operators (TUI, Thomas Cook and Kuoni) that are deeply engaged in ecological initiatives. Data concerning environmental protection, nature conservation and sustainable development in their source markets and tourism destinations have been integrated in order to reveal a common environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework. This study also identified a shift between Western and Eastern Europe tour operators in terms of environmental management initiatives.