The World Travel & Tourism Council has marked a significant milestone in its sustainability initiative.
- Over 5,000 hotels across 80 countries have agreed to partake in sustainable practices.
- Key partnerships in Japan, the Philippines, and India bolster the initiative’s global reach.
- The programme focuses on reducing carbon emissions and promoting community benefits.
- WTTC aims to establish a responsible, planet-friendly future for the hotel industry.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has taken a monumental step in its sustainability initiative as over 5,000 hotels in 80 diverse countries have committed to adopting more sustainable practices. This initiative, known as the Hotel Sustainability Basics, serves as an independent verification scheme under the scrutiny of specialised assessors, ensuring its credibility and effectiveness.
Significant partnerships with tourism leaders in Japan, the Philippines, and India are propelling the initiative on a global scale. The Japan Tourism Board, for instance, has introduced the programme throughout the nation, with an initial pilot paving the way for all accommodation providers in the country to join this sustainable drive. In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview have aligned with the global body, reinforcing the initiative’s presence. Similarly, WTTC members in India, including The Indian Hotels Company and Radisson India, are supporting its expansion.
The programme’s 12-step criteria are specifically designed to mitigate carbon emissions, optimise energy and water usage, and enhance waste management processes, alongside ensuring that local communities perceive tangible benefits from hotel operations. This comprehensive approach reflects the WTTC’s commitment to a sustainable future.
Moreover, the Hotel Sustainability Basics have been translated into several languages, offering resources in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese to cater to a broad demographic. As independent hotel management companies, like Aleph Hospitality and Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie & Kent, continue their journey into their second year of verification, the initiative’s expanding reach is evident.
Endorsements are flooding in from various global destinations, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador. The president and chief executive of WTTC, Julia Simpson, expressed, “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 and tourism’s readiness to embrace sustainability globally.”
The WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative is paving the way for a more sustainable future in the global hospitality sector.
