WTTC and Biosphere Collaborate to Standardize Global Hotel Sustainability
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Biosphere Foundation have announced a landmark partnership aimed at revolutionizing sustainability practices in the hotel industry. This collaboration marks a significant step towards establishing a standardized framework for sustainable operations in hotels worldwide.
As part of their joint effort, WTTC and Biosphere will work closely with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) to develop and promote standardized sustainability concepts. This initiative aims to simplify the adoption of sustainable practices by hotels globally, addressing the challenges posed by the proliferation of varied standards and eco-labels in the industry.
“In a world where sustainability is increasingly critical, the hospitality sector faces the challenge of navigating through a myriad of new standards and eco-labels,” WTTC stated in a press release. The partnership seeks to provide clear, consistent sustainability criteria to guide the industry.
Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Hotel Basics is an inclusive industry initiative vital for ensuring that hotels evolve to meet the needs of travelers and the planet. This collaboration is a fundamental step towards international standardization in sustainability.”
The agreement between WTTC and Biosphere lays the foundation for creating a network of internationally harmonized criteria for the hotel industry. This initiative is not only about establishing basic sustainability standards but also facilitating the industry’s progression towards advanced global standards aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Tomás de Azcárate Bang, President of the Responsible Tourism Institute, highlighted the necessity of a unified approach: “Sustainability must be viable, understandable, and achievable. This requires consensus, harmonization of concepts, and measures, which this agreement aims to fulfill.”
This partnership represents a significant milestone for the industry, as it seeks to synchronize approaches and establish a robust international playbook for sustainability. The collaboration will result in the integration of WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics verification and Biosphere methodology, creating a comprehensive international framework connected to the SDGs.
The announcement of this partnership comes amidst recent research indicating that leaders in the hospitality industry face multiple challenges in implementing Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) measures. Conducted by King’s Business School in partnership with the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA), the research revealed concerns about the implementation of ESG measures and regional differences in priorities.
Through their collaborative efforts, WTTC and Biosphere aim to provide clarity, direction, and ease of implementation for sustainable practices in the hotel industry, marking a significant stride towards a more sustainable and responsible future in travel and tourism.