Munich, October 27, 2025 – The member companies of the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. (VIR) are increasingly focusing on sustainability—and are taking different approaches to achieve it. While some are already pursuing clear climate neutrality goals, others are focusing on social projects or innovative information services. Together, they demonstrate that sustainability is more than just a buzzword in the travel industry.

CO2 Targets in Businesses

Among the pioneers are the Expedia Group, Booking.com, Mastercard, Amadeus, and the DERTOUR Group, which have set ambitious net-zero emissions targets—some as early as 2040. Invia Flights has also committed to reducing its emissions by 58% by 2030 compared to its 2021 baseline. In addition, the Expedia Group offers more than 10,000 hotels on its platforms that hold at least one of the ten independent sustainability certifications for accommodations verified by Travalyst. By the end of 2021, Booking.com had transitioned its global operations to renewable energy. This is the first step in its effort to reduce its directly controllable emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 95% and indirect emissions (Scope 3) by 50%. They aim to achieve this by making their data centers and offices as efficient as possible and by supporting their partners in strengthening and achieving their CO2 reduction goals. Additionally, they support high-quality CO2 offset projects around the world where they cannot further reduce their emissions. The focus is on projects that remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Mastercard has also committed to using 100% renewable energy since 2020 and supports consumers with a carbon calculator for climate-conscious travel. Furthermore, ERGO Travel Insurance, together with its parent company Munich Re, is pursuing climate goals in its investment activities, insurance business, and its own operations. AERTiCKET is also committed to a climate-friendly future. The company actively supports the further development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental impacts from air travel. To implement a uniform CO₂e calculation standard for the tourism industry, KlimaLink was founded in October 2022 as an industry initiative. This provides a platform that calculates CO₂e emissions from travel components and thus supports the travel industry on its path toward greater climate protection.

Comprehensive Programs and Social Responsibility

Since Amadeus began measuring the impact of its business operations in 2009, the company has succeeded in cutting energy consumption per employee by half and has introduced solutions that help airlines reduce their fuel consumption. In addition, the company is focusing on developing more energy-efficient software. The DERTOUR Group is also consolidating its climate protection measures under the “ONE Climate” program to reduce the environmental impact of its business and promote more climate-friendly alternatives. Expedia Group, in turn, is partnering with destinations through its “Destination Climate Champions” initiative to strengthen sustainable tourism locally. Furthermore, as a founding sponsor, it has supported the launch of the World Academy, a freely accessible training platform for hospitality professionals that offers expert content on sustainability. Through the Wildlife Conservation Society, Expedia Group has also invested in nature-positive tourism projects in Belize, Guatemala, Cambodia, and Bolivia. In collaboration with Conservation International and the World Resources Institute, Mastercard is helping to protect nature, restore ecosystems, and improve living conditions for communities worldwide.

With the Better Trips Fund, Evaneos has created its own program to promote climate projects and support local agencies. Since January 2024, the company has stopped offering short trips that last five days or less and can only be taken by plane. In September 2024—based on the results of the Overtourism Index developed in collaboration with the consulting firm Roland Berger—Evaneos also decided to stop offering trips to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini during the peak season (July–August). To significantly curb the environmental impact of flying, the travel platform decided in September of this year to recommend a minimum stay duration for air travel to its customers. Meanwhile, Berge & Meer is committed to sustainable travel worldwide—from supporting local initiatives in destination areas to promoting eco-friendly hotels and mobility. In addition, Berge & Meer is a partner of myclimate and contributes to the transparent offsetting of CO2 emissions as well as the promotion of sustainable projects.

Sustainability in Everyday Life

Other VIR members are focusing on operational sustainability. Sunny Cars has been certified with the GreenSign Office seal, while schauinsland-reisen relies on solar power and e-mobility at its location. Team Neusta promotes climate-friendly mobility through JobRad and car-sharing. In its daily business operations, AERTiCKET also adheres to consistent sustainability goals: Since 2011, a photovoltaic system on the office building on Boppstraße has been generating environmentally friendly electricity, and since 2018, its company car fleet has been fully converted to electric vehicles. Midoco uses exclusively certified green electricity in its offices. In addition, Midoco’s IT systems are operated in data centers that are verifiably powered by renewable energy. When furnishing its offices, OBS opts for furniture made from recycled materials or ocean-bound plastic.

Compensation and Educational Initiatives

Journaway offsets all emissions from land-based services for every trip—at no extra cost to customers. In addition, they support social projects in over 50 countries and give travelers the opportunity to experience many of them firsthand. Evaneos also ensures measurable progress in climate protection within the travel industry through its B Corp and Travelife certifications, as well as by signing the Glasgow Declaration. Juvigo teaches children in environmental camps about plastic reduction and climate protection, while HanseMerkur anchors its sustainability efforts through relevant products and investments.

Orientation and Information

Platforms such as Weg.de and Holidayheroes rely on information resources and filter functions to make sustainable travel visible to customers. The goal is to make sustainable travel more accessible through clear and reliable information. Invia’s package tour brands are improving the visibility of more eco-friendly accommodations and transportation options, while its flight-focused platforms prioritize emissions transparency and seek ways to support more collective action. HolidayCheck goes one step further: through authentic traveler reviews, it becomes clear how sustainability is practiced and experienced in hotels. These authentic traveler reviews offer an additional perspective and highlight what travelers look for when it comes to sustainability. Additionally, travelers can use relevant filter options on Expedia Group platforms—including the vacation rental portal FeWo-direkt—to search for accommodations with charging stations for electric vehicles.

Outlook

“The examples provided by VIR members show how sustainability can be implemented in a variety of ways within companies—from clear climate neutrality goals to educational projects. What matters most is that the travel industry has long been taking responsibility and is on the path to greater sustainability through a wide range of measures—even if the journey is not yet complete and continued joint efforts are still needed,” explains VIR Board Member Michael Buller.

You can download the press release here in PDF format.