A woman on a hike, travelling light and embracing nature. Picture: Unsplash
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that it has achieved another milestone with more than 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries adopting its Hotel Sustainability Basics programme.
According to the global tourism body, its programme makes the point that it remains committed to leading the sector towards a more sustainable and responsible future and is designed to guide hoteliers in their initial steps towards enhanced sustainability.
“Basics is an independent verification programme, supervised by renowned assessors Green Key and SGS, ensuring rigorous standards and credibility.
“The programme empowers hotels of all sizes with a comprehensive 12-step criteria aimed at reducing carbon emissions, energy, water and waste management, and ensuring local communities benefit from hotel operations,” said the tourism body.
The WTTC added that hotels in major destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have adopted Basics, and the programme continues to receive global support with new partnerships in tourism powerhouses such as Japan, the Philippines and India.
“Leading hotel brands, including Jin Jiang, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, European giant Louvre Hotels Group, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Accor have adopted Basics.
“Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie and Kent, luxury African safari lodges, among others, are now entering their second year of verification,” said WTTC.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, said WTTC's Hotel Sustainability Basics was a powerful testament to their 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,” said Simpson.