From Messy to Measured: Making Sense of Tour Emissions Across Complex Supply Chains
From parasailing to paella, every part of a tour generates emissions. But when it comes to a trip’s carbon footprint, where does a tour operator’s responsibility begin and end? And how can you possibly measure all the different parts, especially when so many are outside your direct control? As pressure grows from travelers, partners, and regulators to disclose and reduce emissions, it can be challenging to know where to begin.
This webinar will help you move from confusion to clarity. We break down what does and doesn’t belong in your tour’s carbon footprint and discuss how to measure supply chain emissions, even with limited data or resources. You’ll learn how to use this data to identify opportunities for reduction and take practical steps to improve accuracy over time. We also cover whether and how to share your emissions publicly, including through tools like carbon labels, even if your numbers aren’t yet 100% complete.
Our CEO, Paloma Zapata, speaks with forward-thinking tour operators about how they’re navigating these challenges in the real world. Kasia Morgan of Exodus Adventure Travels and Krista Hanni of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris share how they measure supplier-related emissions, from the tools they use and priorities they set, to how they address data gaps and use their findings to communicate impact.
What You'll Learn
- Which emissions tour operators are responsible for versus what falls to your suppliers, and how to avoid duplicate efforts between inbound and outbound operators.
- How to handle common gray areas, like international flights booked by travelers or transportation services run by subcontracted providers.
- Where to start measuring your footprint, even without robust supplier data or a dedicated sustainability team.
- How detailed your emissions tracking needs to be, including what to measure now versus later, and what must be included to credibly claim a tour is carbon neutral.
- Tools that make tour footprinting easy, even for supplier emissions you don’t directly control.
- How to use supply chain data to reduce emissions, whether by identifying carbon-intensive activities or tracking supplier-level improvements.
- Why measuring supply chain emissions isn’t just a reporting requirement, it’s a way to stand out in a competitive market and tell a stronger sustainability story.
- When and how to share your emissions publicly, including whether carbon labels are worth pursuing, if third-party certification is needed, and how to communicate transparently even with incomplete data.
This webinar was streamed live on October 9, 2025. Click here to watch the recording.
Watch the Webinar Recording
Meet the Experts
Speaker
Kasia Morgan
Head of Sustainability, Exodus Adventure Travels
Kasia Morgan leads sustainability for Exodus Adventure Travels, a small group adventure travel B Corp. This role includes development and pursuit of Exodus’ ‘Thriving Nature, Thriving People’ sustainability plan, management of key partnerships which support Exodus’ Nature Positive approach, and oversight of Exodus’ corporate foundation.
Speaker
Krista Hanni, MS, PhD
Co-CEO/Co-Owner, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris
Krista Hanni leads a small, passionate team at Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, working together to create and book transformative wildlife journeys that emphasize conservation and responsible travel. Krista brings over 30 years of experience in global health and ecological research, using her expertise to help design immersive safaris that inspire purpose-driven travel. Her team collaborates to bridge human and wildlife well-being, fostering connection, stewardship, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Through their conservation-focused approach, they aim to leave a positive impact on every destination they visit.
Moderator
Paloma Zapata
CEO, Sustainable Travel International
Paloma Zapata leads Sustainable Travel International’s global efforts to maximize tourism’s contribution to environmental conservation and community well-being. With over 15 years of experience in sustainable tourism, Paloma has implemented impactful initiatives in 26 nations across the globe. Paloma manages the organization’s efforts to engage the tourism industry in climate action through a suite of carbon measurement, offsetting, and educational solutions. She is also working alongside destination leaders and communities to define a Carbon Neutral Destination model.
Road to Net Zero
A webinar series catalyzing climate action in travel
It’s readily apparent that the world must take swift, ambitious action to reach net zero emissions. What’s less evident is how to get there. Our Road to Net Zero Webinar series offers stakeholders support on their journey to net zero travel. Each webinar takes a deep dive into a different aspect of climate action, demystifying confusing or controversial topics and highlighting real-life examples of climate action in practice.