by Vijaylakshmi 
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) celebrates a significant milestone as over 5,000 properties in more than 80 countries have now embraced its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) program. This initiative marks a pivotal step in the global effort to promote sustainable practices within the hospitality industry, showcasing the sector’s readiness to adopt eco-friendly measures.
Hotels in key destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region have adopted the Basics program, which continues to receive extensive global support. Recent partnerships with tourism powerhouses such as Japan, the Philippines, and India highlight the program’s expanding influence and commitment to sustainability.
Guiding Hotels Towards Sustainability
The Hotel Sustainability Basics program is designed to guide hoteliers in their initial steps towards enhanced sustainability. It is an independent verification program, supervised by renowned assessors Green Key and SGS, ensuring rigorous standards and credibility. The program empowers hotels of all sizes with a comprehensive 12-step criteria aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving energy and water management, and ensuring that local communities benefit from hotel operations.
Leading Brands and Global Support
Prominent hotel brands have adopted the Basics program, including Jin Jiang, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, European giant Louvre Hotels Group, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Accor. These leading brands are setting a standard for the industry, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices.
In Japan, the Japan Tourism Board has partnered with WTTC through its Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (JSTi) to support the launch of Basics across the country. A pilot program sets the stage before extending the initiative to all Japanese accommodation providers, ensuring a nationwide commitment to sustainability.
In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview have partnered with WTTC to launch the Basics program through their annual sustainable hospitality event, PhilHost. This collaboration aims to embed sustainable practices within the Philippine hospitality industry.
Expanding Across India
India is also seeing significant support for the Basics program, with backing from WTTC Members such as The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India, WTTC India Initiative, Hotel Association of India, and the country’s leading online travel agency, MakeMyTrip. This concerted effort underscores the importance of sustainability within the Indian hospitality sector.
Multilingual Availability and Global Endorsements
To meet international demand, the Basics program is now available in multiple languages, offering comprehensive resources in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese. This accessibility ensures that hotels worldwide can adopt the program and implement sustainable practices effectively.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, stated, “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.”
Commitment from Independent Hotels
Independent hotel management companies and unique accommodation providers have also taken significant steps towards sustainability by adhering to the Basics criteria. Companies like Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, and Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie and Kent, luxury African safari lodges, among others, are now entering their second year of verification.
Global Endorsements
Hotel Sustainability Basics has garnered endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador. These endorsements highlight the program’s global reach and the hospitality industry’s commitment to sustainability.
A Sustainable Future
This milestone signifies a pivotal step forward for the Travel & Tourism sector. The global tourism body remains committed to leading the industry towards a more sustainable and responsible future. The widespread adoption of the Hotel Sustainability Basics program showcases the hospitality industry’s readiness to embrace environmental stewardship and community engagement as core components of their operations.
In conclusion, the WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics program is a transformative initiative that has gained global traction, with over 5,000 properties committed to sustainable practices. This achievement underscores the importance of collaboration and collective effort in driving the hospitality industry towards a greener, more sustainable future. As more hotels and destinations join the program, the vision of a resilient, responsible, and planet-friendly travel and tourism sector becomes increasingly attainable.
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