5,000 Hotels Worldwide Join WTTC’s Sustainability Initiative

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has achieved a major milestone with over 5,000 hotels in more than 80 countries adopting its Hotel Sustainability Basics program. This initiative is designed to enhance sustainability in the hospitality sector by guiding hotels through a 12-step process to reduce their environmental impact and support local communities.

The program, independently verified by Green Key and SGS, offers a structured approach for hotels of all sizes to cut carbon emissions, conserve energy and water, and improve waste management practices. Additionally, it ensures that hotels contribute positively to the local communities where they operate.

Notable hotel chains such as Jin Jian, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Accor, and Louvre Hotels Group have committed to the initiative. In Japan, the Japan Tourism Board has partnered with the WTTC to launch a pilot program, and in India, key stakeholders including The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India, WTTC India Initiative, Hotel Association of India, and MakeMyTrip are working together to implement the program nationwide.

Since its launch in January, the Hotel Sustainability Basics program has experienced rapid growth, expanding from 1,700 members in March to 3,400 by May. The program’s resources are available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Japanese, reflecting its global reach.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, highlighted the program’s success: “WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics is a powerful testament to our collective effort in promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. Surpassing 5,000 verified properties is more than just a milestone; it demonstrates Travel & Tourism’s readiness to embrace sustainability globally. This initiative unites hotels, industry partners, and sustainability standards to create a resilient, responsible, and planet-friendly future.”