SERVICE-REISEN: Putting climate on the group itinerary

Sustainable group travel from Gießen and Bottighofen

SERVICE-REISEN is one of Europe's largest tour operators firmly established in Germany. For more than 50 years, the company has been supporting tour operators, coach companies, and other partners in the tourism industry with the planning and organisation of group travel.

At its locations in Gießen (Germany) and Bottighofen (Switzerland), over 170 employees work on developing tailor-made programmes and ensure their reliable and efficient implementation.

The challenge:

Climate action in the travel industry

As a tour operator, SERVICE-REISEN faces the challenge of using resources responsibly while planning group travel plans. The aim is therefore to combine high-quality, tailor-made travel with responsibility for the climate and the environment.

Sustainability is perceived very differently within the industry: while some partners already have specific requirements in place, others are still in the early stages of addressing the complex issue.

SERVICE-REISEN decided early on to pursue a structured approach by using clear carbon accounting, traceable climate action measures, and transparent communication. This creates a reliable basis for gradually anchoring sustainability within the industry.

The solutions:

Carbon accounting with ClimatePartner

Together with ClimatePartner, SERVICE-REISEN calculated its Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF). The calculation was based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and forms the basis for emission reduction measures. The company then makes a financial contribution to certified climate projects in the amount of the remaining emissions.

Clean drinking water and improved cookstoves

SERVICE-REISEN supports two projects from the ClimatePartner portfolio: Clean drinking water in Eritrea (ID 1294) and improved cookstoves in Zambia (ID 1436). Both projects combine climate action with improved living conditions for nearby residents.

The drinking water project repairs damaged wells so that families no longer rely on contaminated water from ponds or rivers. As the water no longer needs to be boiled, firewood consumption is reduced, thereby also reducing deforestation. The cookstove project reduces wood consumption while also improving indoor air quality, which is particularly beneficial to the health of women and children, and creates additional jobs in the region.

Emissions reduction in everyday business

SERVICE-REISEN implemented targeted measures to reduce emissions and integrate climate action into working life:

• Renewable electricity purchased for its locations
• Carbon emissions from catalogues are addressed through climate projects
• Conversion of the vehicle fleet to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
• Promotion of bicycle leasing and charging infrastructure for employees

The outcome

Company with financial climate contribution

Calculating the CCF and supporting climate projects mark an important milestone. SERVICE-REISEN now carries the Financial climate contribution label: a clear signal to customers and partners that its climate action is firmly anchored in the company's actions.

Outlook

Taking sustainable tourism to the next level

For SERVICE-REISEN, the collaboration with ClimatePartner is just the first step. In the future the company wants to integrate climate action even more into its processes, for example by further reducing energy consumption, using more sustainable production methods, and expanding digital solutions that saves resources.

The range of sustainable group travel options is also being continuously developed in order to offer customers transparent and responsible options and to make its progress in climate action transparent.