The invention of technology has always stemmed from human nature, and laziness is the driving force of creation! Whether it’s high-tech products, modes of transportation, or even various convenience-oriented products, they are marketed as being “convenient,” but at a deeper level, the shadow of “laziness” can still be discerned within.
In June of this year, “Business Today” held the “Taiwan Great Future International Summit” with the theme of “Green and Sustainable New Realms of Life.” Huang Hsin-Chuan, the CEO of Lion Travel, shared insights about the interaction, perspectives, and efforts between the travel industry and sustainability.
Minimizing the pain points for travelers and reducing their inconvenience
Huang Hsin-Chuan pointed out that low-carbon travel is already an ongoing initiative at Lion Travel. The company has established two integrated transfer centers in the north, central, south, and east regions of Taiwan, and has introduced 16 diverse bicycle routes, which have been well-received by businesses. Lion Travel will continue to set up bicycle supply stations in Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung, collaborate with five-star hotels, and arrange for travelers to rest in VIP lounges. This provides a low-carbon, healthy travel option to consumers with varying preferences, while offering thoughtful services to minimize inconveniences for consumers. Huang Hsin-Chuan stated:
“We do our best to minimize the pain points for travelers and reduce their inconvenience.”
Sustainability trickles down from the top, with employee understanding as the key
Huang Hsin-Chuan mentioned that starting from 2022, Lion Travel announced that it would no longer provide bottled water, which led to resistance from both guests and frontline staff. “Initially, it kept me awake at night. The staff felt that I didn’t understand the hardships at the frontline,” he said. In the process of promoting sustainability, one often encounters numerous challenges. However, Lion Travel’s original intention behind this decision was, “We shouldn’t just make money and leave the trash for the local community.”
During the implementation of this policy, a communication process spanning six months took place. Fortunately, employees and the majority of consumers were able to understand this measure. After calculations, this policy saves the equivalent of 157 Taipei 101 skyscrapers worth of plastic bottles each year. Huang Hsin-Chuan also shared, “Although a few customers still find it inconvenient, I hope most consumers are willing to give us a new chance.” The process of promoting sustainability is a “top-down” process, and within this process, how communication flows between upper and lower levels not only tests the wisdom of leadership but also becomes a critical factor in the long-term implementation of corporate ESG.
As the United Nations has defined a sustainable lifestyle, it is “a way of life and patterns of consumption and production that minimize the use of natural resources, reduce waste and emissions, respond to social needs, and are culturally acceptable and economically viable.” Practicing sustainability in daily life while contemplating the meaning of a sustainable new life involves establishing sustainable habits in the most mundane aspects of life, including food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and leisure. This transforms what is commonly perceived as “inconvenient” into a “habit.”
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