At Uniworld, We focus on making a positive impact, with a mission to #MakeTravelMatter for people, wildlife and the planet for generations to come. And as a signatory of The Glasgow Declaration that has united several travel companies and organizations to hold each other accountable to vital carbon emissions goals, we’re part of a global effort to make the travel industry better for our planet—not just for our brand.
We are also proud to be the first river cruise company to publish Sustainable Travel Impact Report!
We are also proud to be the first river cruise company to publish Sustainable Travel Impact Report!
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced a host of new sustainability initiatives, all in tandem with parent company The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) 5-year sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right. Uniworld’s strategy, headed up by new Sustainability Officer Julie Higgins, includes 11 sustainability goals such as reducing 50% of food waste by 2025, increasing Use of Local and Organic Food Products by Its Supply Chain by 2025, Carbon Neutrality by 2030 or sooner, eliminating single-use plastic, switching to renewable energy, and offering guests sustainable tourism experiences in the form of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, designed to engage and give back throughout their river cruising journey.
The recent Impact Report from TTC details Uniworld’s progress against the How We Tread Right Goals – providing transparent insight into the positive impacts Uniworld has made, relating to sustainable food production, travel experiences, responsible consumption, and more.
“Our mission with Uniworld’s sustainability goals is to create a positive change through action with science-based targets, tackling everything from food waste reduction, supporting developing destinations and utilising local suppliers,” said Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “Being the first river cruise line to publish an Impact Report is not only a true testament to our dedication to these goals but ensures that we’ll transparently be monitoring in order to openly report on our progress with the environment and make actionable commitments for future impact.”
Uniworld’s progress against its sustainability goals include:
Goal: Reduce Food Waste by 50% Across all Ships by 2025
Uniworld has completed a successful trial of a new partnership with Leanpath, a Certified B Corporation®and food waste management system, on its ship, the S.S. Antoinette. The trial resulted in a food waste reduction of 15% over a period of three months. Rollout of the system has already begun with a view to covering half its fleet by the close of the year.
Goal: Increase Use of Local and Organic Food Products by Its Supply Chain by 2025
In 2021, the Uniworld team evaluated all food and beverage suppliers to identify local and organic suppliers. Uniworld adjusted its definition of “local” as follows: any produce sourced within a 30-50 mile radius of the riverbank along the itinerary on which it is prepared. To date, Uniworld’s onboard culinary team utilises 57% from local suppliers and 36% from organic suppliers, with the actionable goal to increase that percentage for 2022.
Goal: Include at Least One MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on 50% of Itineraries by 2025:
In an ongoing commitment of conscious and sustainable travel, Uniworld has taken a pledge to “Make Travel Matter” by transforming exploration into positive change. Currently, 31% of Uniworld’s itineraries include at least one ‘Make Travel Matter’ experience, on itineraries throughout India, Europe and the Middle East. These experiences are carefully chosen to directly advance the United Nation’s Global Goals, allowing guests to positively engage and give back to the communities, wildlife and land in the destinations they sail. For example, tastings at Wachauer Safranmanufaktur in Austria, the world’s only bio-dynamically certified saffron producer; a visit to the Doktorenhof vinegar estate where almost 100% of the work is done by hand, from the natural cultivation to careful packaging in hand-blown bottles and flacons; a Dutch Cheese Trail at a sustainable, self-sufficient dairy farm near Hoorn Netherlands, and a visit to a local underprivileged children’s rescue in India.
Julie Higgins has been with Uniworld for 18 years, previously playing an active role in operations and the ongoing learning and development of all Uniworld crew. “It is now clearer than ever that travel providers and travellers must take responsibility and acknowledge the role that each of us plays in helping to make travel matter,” said Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
“With the recent release of the sustainability strategy, ‘How We Tread Right,’ and the progress made with new partners such as Leanpath, we are making good on our long-term commitment to truly understand and reduce our impact. More travellers are beginning to prioritise more conscious travel as an integral factor in holiday planning, and I want our guests to know they can enjoy the luxury of world exploration while making a positive impact on communities, with a company that prioritises reducing its environmental impact. It is this passion for doing right by the people and land that we touch that makes Uniworld special to me and to every passenger who comes onboard.”
To find out more about the How We Tread Right Goals and progress visit impact.treadright.org/progress
To learn more visit https://www.uniworld.com/us/why-uniworld/uniworld-cares.
For bookings and more information on the cruises available visit www.uniworld.com / 0808 1689110 or contact your local Sales Manager
ABOUT UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises—the world's most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line - features distinctively designed ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, exclusive excursions, gourmet cuisine, and one of the highest staff-to-guest-ratio in the river cruise industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers truly all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Vietnam and Cambodia, India, Peru and Egypt—a total of 18 rivers in 26 countries worldwide. Uniworld is a member of CLIA and is highly regarded by discerning travellers, media, and cruise industry experts, having most recently been named the #1 river cruise line in the world in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021. Uniworld is a member of The Travel Corporation (TTC) family of companies, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. (www.uniworld.com)
ABOUT THE TRAVEL CORPORATION
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful, privately owned and family run international travel group. Our philosophy is simple – to create enriching experiences for our travelers by combining an unbeatable mix of exceptional service and quality at great value. No matter what your taste, whether you are a family or a couple, a group or traveling solo – TTC offers something for everyone. Our multi-award-winning portfolio ranges from luxury hotels and boutique river cruises, to independent holiday package companies and a variety of guided travel experiences. For more information about TTC, visit www.ttc.com.
ABOUT THE TREADRIGHT FOUNDATION
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership, and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid, The Travel Foundation and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include supporting various women’s social enterprises through the Artisan Alliance, the recently announced Wildlife Conservation Society’s Big Cat fund, WE.org and inspiring nature advocates like Céline Cousteau and Terri Irwin. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org
Media Contact:
The Decker/Royal Agency
[email protected]
[email protected]
The recent Impact Report from TTC details Uniworld’s progress against the How We Tread Right Goals – providing transparent insight into the positive impacts Uniworld has made, relating to sustainable food production, travel experiences, responsible consumption, and more.
“Our mission with Uniworld’s sustainability goals is to create a positive change through action with science-based targets, tackling everything from food waste reduction, supporting developing destinations and utilising local suppliers,” said Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. “Being the first river cruise line to publish an Impact Report is not only a true testament to our dedication to these goals but ensures that we’ll transparently be monitoring in order to openly report on our progress with the environment and make actionable commitments for future impact.”
Uniworld’s progress against its sustainability goals include:
Goal: Reduce Food Waste by 50% Across all Ships by 2025
Uniworld has completed a successful trial of a new partnership with Leanpath, a Certified B Corporation®and food waste management system, on its ship, the S.S. Antoinette. The trial resulted in a food waste reduction of 15% over a period of three months. Rollout of the system has already begun with a view to covering half its fleet by the close of the year.
Goal: Increase Use of Local and Organic Food Products by Its Supply Chain by 2025
In 2021, the Uniworld team evaluated all food and beverage suppliers to identify local and organic suppliers. Uniworld adjusted its definition of “local” as follows: any produce sourced within a 30-50 mile radius of the riverbank along the itinerary on which it is prepared. To date, Uniworld’s onboard culinary team utilises 57% from local suppliers and 36% from organic suppliers, with the actionable goal to increase that percentage for 2022.
Goal: Include at Least One MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on 50% of Itineraries by 2025:
In an ongoing commitment of conscious and sustainable travel, Uniworld has taken a pledge to “Make Travel Matter” by transforming exploration into positive change. Currently, 31% of Uniworld’s itineraries include at least one ‘Make Travel Matter’ experience, on itineraries throughout India, Europe and the Middle East. These experiences are carefully chosen to directly advance the United Nation’s Global Goals, allowing guests to positively engage and give back to the communities, wildlife and land in the destinations they sail. For example, tastings at Wachauer Safranmanufaktur in Austria, the world’s only bio-dynamically certified saffron producer; a visit to the Doktorenhof vinegar estate where almost 100% of the work is done by hand, from the natural cultivation to careful packaging in hand-blown bottles and flacons; a Dutch Cheese Trail at a sustainable, self-sufficient dairy farm near Hoorn Netherlands, and a visit to a local underprivileged children’s rescue in India.
Julie Higgins has been with Uniworld for 18 years, previously playing an active role in operations and the ongoing learning and development of all Uniworld crew. “It is now clearer than ever that travel providers and travellers must take responsibility and acknowledge the role that each of us plays in helping to make travel matter,” said Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
“With the recent release of the sustainability strategy, ‘How We Tread Right,’ and the progress made with new partners such as Leanpath, we are making good on our long-term commitment to truly understand and reduce our impact. More travellers are beginning to prioritise more conscious travel as an integral factor in holiday planning, and I want our guests to know they can enjoy the luxury of world exploration while making a positive impact on communities, with a company that prioritises reducing its environmental impact. It is this passion for doing right by the people and land that we touch that makes Uniworld special to me and to every passenger who comes onboard.”
To find out more about the How We Tread Right Goals and progress visit impact.treadright.org/progress
To learn more visit https://www.uniworld.com/us/why-uniworld/uniworld-cares.
For bookings and more information on the cruises available visit www.uniworld.com / 0808 1689110 or contact your local Sales Manager
ABOUT UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises—the world's most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise line - features distinctively designed ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, exclusive excursions, gourmet cuisine, and one of the highest staff-to-guest-ratio in the river cruise industry. Based in Los Angeles, California, Uniworld offers truly all-inclusive itineraries in Europe, as well as voyages in Vietnam and Cambodia, India, Peru and Egypt—a total of 18 rivers in 26 countries worldwide. Uniworld is a member of CLIA and is highly regarded by discerning travellers, media, and cruise industry experts, having most recently been named the #1 river cruise line in the world in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021. Uniworld is a member of The Travel Corporation (TTC) family of companies, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. (www.uniworld.com)
ABOUT THE TRAVEL CORPORATION
The Travel Corporation (TTC) is a highly successful, privately owned and family run international travel group. Our philosophy is simple – to create enriching experiences for our travelers by combining an unbeatable mix of exceptional service and quality at great value. No matter what your taste, whether you are a family or a couple, a group or traveling solo – TTC offers something for everyone. Our multi-award-winning portfolio ranges from luxury hotels and boutique river cruises, to independent holiday package companies and a variety of guided travel experiences. For more information about TTC, visit www.ttc.com.
ABOUT THE TREADRIGHT FOUNDATION
Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit working to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported some 50 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The Foundation’s guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership, and support for communities. Foundation priorities are set by the Steering Committee, which includes sustainability leaders Céline Cousteau and Costas Christ. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid, The Travel Foundation and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include supporting various women’s social enterprises through the Artisan Alliance, the recently announced Wildlife Conservation Society’s Big Cat fund, WE.org and inspiring nature advocates like Céline Cousteau and Terri Irwin. To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at treadright.org
Media Contact:
The Decker/Royal Agency
[email protected]
[email protected]