Tourism and particularly tourism transport, contribute significantly to global environmental challenges, and effective policies to address these challenges remain largely absent. The research group Sustainable Tourism & Transport, therefore, strives for meaningful changes that contribute to a reduction of tourism’s environmental footprint by creating an impact on relevant tourism and environmental policy domains and on the awareness and practices of relevant organisations and the public at large. 

In our research, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap between the role of tourism and tourism transport in several global environmental challenges (notably climate change, but also biodiversity loss and health). We use our research to help businesses, consumers, and policymakers to take actions that effectively address these challenges. 

Our research adopts an integrated perspective on tourism that include all tourist flows to and from destinations (domestic and international, and all travel purposes, including business travel). We do so by measuring environmental impacts and developing mitigating policies and strategies, including assessing the societal and economic implications. The results are not only sound reports and articles but also innovative research approaches and tools based on a solid translation of science to the sector practices. 

To this end, we: 
1. Measure and forecast the effects of tourism and tourism transport on the environment – particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – and possible consequences for consumers and businesses under current and alternative policy regimes. 
2. Examine and influence processes of policy formation to guide policy actors in the development of alternative policies that effectively address specific tourism-related environmental challenges – particularly climate change. 
3. Explore innovative approaches, measures, ideas, and new applications.
4. Develop innovative tools – including serious gaming applications and enlightening translations of scientific outcomes for both policy-makers, the public, and business leaders – to assist policy-making.

To create impact with our research, we aim for scientific integrity, quality, credibility, societal relevance, and consistency. Staying true to science is central to our approach. We only engage in consultancy and research projects when there is a direct link to our own research track record or knowledge of the scientific state-of-the-art. And we aim for solid, pro-active science communication and inclusive engagement with all relevant stakeholders across the political spectrum. 
We do so by:
1 Pursuing relevant research and consultancy projects in the tourism and environmental policy domain, with a focus on tourism-related transport issues. 
2 Integrate the findings in reports and outputs that are immediately relevant for stakeholders in this domain because they provide science-based directions to ongoing policy debates. 
3 Publishing the findings of our research in reputable, international peer-reviewed academic publications. 
4 Present and discuss our findings and hypotheses at international scientific and applied conferences and workshops. 
5 Engage with policymakers and the general public through mainstream media and other (social) media channels to address key societal challenges based on our research. 

The Sustainable Tourism research group currently consists of six dedicated researchers, who supervise over twenty master’s and undergraduate students, are commissioners of another ten to fifteen thesis students, conduct five to ten projects, and publish many scientific and professional papers annually. Research is disseminated at international workshops, conferences, and both national and international social and public media and is available on the BUas Research Portal: https://pure.buas.nl/en/organisations/centre-for-sustainability-tourism-and-transport-cstt