WTTC presents basic concepts of hotel sustainability

13-02-23

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveiled the Basics of Hotel Sustainability, an industry-backed scheme that is a set of globally recognised criteria that all hotels should implement as a minimum to drive the industry towards a more responsible and sustainable model.

On the sidelines of ITB Berlin, the WTTC announced that Basics will reach out to tourism accommodation providers around the world, regardless of size, to begin their transition to sustainability.

Comprised of 12 key criteria, Basics came about as a result of a clear demand from a group of influential global hotel brands and, while there are a large number of sustainability initiatives, this programme focuses on an achievable starting point. 

Basics has also been recognised by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as the starting point for a net positive industry, which announced the latest version of Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.

Verification scheme

The verification scheme allows hotels and other tourism accommodation to be officially certified for meeting eight of the 12 criteria in the first year and demonstrating their commitment to work towards achieving all 12 criteria by the third year. 

Together, the criteria ensure that the sector is eco-resilient and adaptable to the changing needs of the planet.

Hotel Partners

Six major international hotel groups, collectively representing tens of thousands of sites around the world, have joined Basics as inaugural partners.  The first hotel groups include well-known brands such as Accor, Jin Jiang International, Louvre Hotels Group, Meliá Hotels International, Meininger and Radisson Hotel Group. 

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, said: "We are incredibly proud to develop our core hotel sustainability concepts and verification scheme. The initiative is a response to the industry's need for a baseline for hotels and other tourism accommodation to introduce stringent sustainability standards.

Simpson said, "Our research shows that most business owners are aware of their responsibility to the environment, but need a step-by-step guide that is scientifically verifiable. It is a testament to the need for such a scheme that already thousands of hotel properties around the world have committed to implementing Basics, and can start the verification process today".

Inge Huijbrechts, Senior Vice President Global Sustainability, Safety and Corporate Communications, Radisson Hotel Group, said: "Hotel Sustainability Basics is meeting a new and unanswered demand in the hotel industry: to provide a solid, reliable and clear label for essential hotel sustainability. It is important that we define responsible travel to preserve the planet and protect communities. With Hotel Sustainability Basics we offer travellers a clear sustainable stay option for all types of hotels worldwide.

"Radisson Hotel Group is committed to implementing Hotel Sustainability Basics in all of its 1,100 hotels by 2025. We do this together with our shareholder Jin Jiang International, its subsidiary Louvre Hotel Group and other major hotel groups and destinations around the world."

Green Lodging Trends Report

WTTC conducted an extensive international benchmarking exercise through the Green Lodging Trends Report, learning from 27,000 accommodation providers on how they are currently meeting the 12 criteria.

Crucially, this benchmark will allow the WTTC to track Basics' progress over time.

Nearly 100% of accommodation providers implement at least one initiative to reduce inequality in the area and 96% have adopted linen reuse programmes.

The report also showed that many hoteliers are establishing sustainable practices, but there is still some way to go for them to become commonplace across the industry. 

Two-thirds of respondents have already begun to eliminate the use of certain single-use plastics and implement other waste reduction initiatives.

New practices were also highlighted in the report. 

Nearly half of respondents have replaced small plastic toiletry bottles with bulk dispensers and a third now offer vegetarian options for every dish in their food and beverage provision.

Industry partners

In addition to the Alliance, WTTC collaborated with other key industry players, including representatives from Greenview, WTTC's hotel members, Expedia, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Trip.com Group, as well as certification bodies SGS and Green Key. 

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance said: "We are incredibly proud to work together with the Global Travel & Tourism Council to launch the Basics of Hotel Sustainability. Basics is a key part of the Alliance's Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, which sets ambitious goals to create a thriving and responsible global hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes.

"Net Positive Hospitality is a tremendous goal for us. To go beyond net zero and really contribute to the future of the world is a bold ambition, but one that I believe the industry can achieve. "

Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) said, "Hotels around the world must march towards sustainability quickly, but the first step may be the hardest.

"The WTTC's Hotel Sustainability Essentials provide an excellent way to understand and take the first steps. With twelve clear actions mapping to the eight GTSC industry criteria, the basics are indeed an essential part of the journey."

Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, said: "Sustainability is a collective goal. As demand for sustainable options increases, Trip.com Group will deepen cooperation with our partners, including WTTC, and empower hotels around the world to adopt sustainability best practices."

Destination partners

Several global tourism destinations have already recognised the strength of core hotel sustainability concepts and have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring that their hotels implement them.

Azerbaijan was the first destination partner to support the Basics, followed by other supporters such as Belize, Colombia and Mauritius. 

Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said: "The Basics are an important complement to Azerbaijan's sustainable tourism development strategy. We are committed to prioritising sustainability throughout the value chain and the customer journey. 

"We are proud to be a partner country of this initiative and are committed to continue our efforts to promote responsible tourism practices.  Our mission is to care for the country's intangible and tangible resources for future generations to enjoy, and a tourism industry that benefits both visitors and hosts.