WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics Program Expands with Over 1,700 Properties Worldwide
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has achieved a significant milestone in promoting sustainable tourism through its Hotel Sustainability Basics program, announcing the verification of over 1,700 properties in 70 countries. This announcement, made at the renowned ITB Berlin, underscores the global hospitality industry’s increasing commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible travel practices.
Prominent hotel groups from various corners of the globe, including France, China, Mexico, India, Germany, South Africa, the Philippines, and Norway, have joined this initiative, propelling the movement towards more sustainable hotel operations. Leading brands such as Jin Jiang, with its expansive portfolio of over 10,000 hotels, along with Louvre Hotel Group, Choice Hotels, and Radisson Hotel Group, are at the forefront of this change. Additionally, non-hotel entities like Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds, and Abercrombie & Kent have also embraced the program, showcasing the wide-reaching interest in sustainability across the travel sector.
The Hotel Sustainability Basics is an independent, global sustainability verification program managed by Green Key and SGS. It provides a unified 12-step plan designed to assist hotels of all sizes in implementing essential sustainability practices. These practices are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting conservation efforts, and supporting local communities, thereby addressing some of the most critical environmental challenges facing the industry today.
WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson, highlighted the program’s success and its rapid adoption across the globe, “Our goal is to have a globally recognized trademark that shows customers at a glance that a hotel is supporting the planet by saving energy, cutting plastics, protecting nature, and supporting their local community. It is a win-win,” Simpson stated. She further emphasized the remarkable progress since the program’s inception just a year ago, noting the incredible uptake and the extensive waiting list of properties eager to get verified.
This initiative not only demonstrates the travel and tourism sector’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also responds to the growing consumer demand for more sustainable travel options. With over 1,700 properties already verified and many more on the waiting list, the WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics program is set to bring about lasting change, paving the way for a more sustainable and responsible future in the global hospitality industry.