Governance
Businesses operating within the travel industry that are looking to expand are set to have access to investment from Australia’s superannuation sector over the coming years. However, Christian Super CEO Ross
Piper warned that those with poor corporate cultures will find cash hard to come by. “Engagement in sustainability for any business is not only a moral and ethical question, but it’s now closely linked with core long-term business values, social licence to operate and profitability,” Piper said.
“The investment market cares deeply about organisational culture.
“Any company that is attracting press around culture – for better or for worse – will be on the radar in some way, shape or form. “Our ethics committees had a robust discussion about one of the listed travel companies and again we have a very broad portfolio as any pension fund would have, so it’s on the radar,” he said. he said.
“There are approximately 560,000 animals in wildlife tourist attractions around the world, with animal abuse occurring in approximately three-quarters of attractions studied, with abuse including animals being taken from their mothers, forced to perform tricks, animal rides, and animals forced to remain passive for selfies.”
Hutchinson said travellers need to research wildlife tourism before going to attractions and their use social media effectively when instances of animal cruelty are spotted to help “spread the word”.