WORLDWIDE: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics programme has achieved more than 5,000 verified properties across 80 countries.
Hotels in major destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have adopted Basics, and the programme has new partnerships in Japan, the Philippines and India.
Designed to guide hoteliers in their initial steps to enhance their sustainable practices, Basics is an independent verification programme, supervised by Green Key and SGS.
The programme, which has resources is available in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese, offers hotels of all sizes a comprehensive 12-step criteria aimed at reducing carbon emissions, energy, water and waste management, and ensuring local communities benefit from hotel operations.
Hotels that adopt the Basics framework have three years to meet its 12 criteria. Those hotels that get verification are given a ‘badge’ which they can use across their branding.
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 all adopted Basics.
The Japan Tourism Board has partnered with WTTC through its Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (JSTi) to support the launch of Basics across the country.
In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview have partnered with the global tourism body on the market launch of Basics through their annual sustainable hospitality event PhilHost.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president & CEO said: “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.”
Basics is also set to expand across India with support from WTTC Members The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India, WTTC India Initiative, Hotel Association of India, and the online travel agency MakeMyTrip.
Independent hotel management companies and unique accommodation providers have also taken their first steps adhering to the Basics criteria.
Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie and Kent, luxury African safari lodges, amongst others, are now entering their second year of verification.
In April this year BeCause, which helps hotels with their sustainability data, added the Basics framework to its sustainability platform. See more below.
BeCause adds Hotel Sustainability Basics framework to its platform
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