Almost 100% of accommodation providers have at least one initiative to reduce inequality, 96% have adopted linen reuse programmes, and 66% have started to eliminate single-use plastics or are implementing other waste reduction initiatives. This is according to the Green Lodgings Trends Report, which looked at 27,000 accommodation providers.
The report also noted that almost 50% of respondents have replaced small plastic toiletry bottles with bulk dispensers and a third now provide vegetarian options for every course in their food and beverage provision.
The data indicates that many hoteliers are establishing sustainable practices but there is still a way to go for these to become common across the sector.
Following the international benchmarking exercise, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) verification scheme, a globally recognised set of criteria that all hotels should implement as a minimum to drive responsible and sustainable travel and tourism.
Basics comprises 12 key criteria and is seen as the starting point for a net positive industry.
Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), said “Hotels throughout the world need to march towards sustainability quickly but the first step can be the hardest.”
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, added, “Basics is a key part of the Alliance’s Pathway to net positive hospitality which sets ambitious targets to create a prosperous and responsible global hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes.”
Verification system
In partnership with Green Key and SGS, WTTC has developed an online verification system, where hotels provide evidence in order to be officially verified for meeting at least eight of the 12 criteria in the first year and demonstrate their commitment to working toward all 12 of the criteria by year three.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, 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.”
Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president of Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications at Radisson Hotel Group said, “Hotel Sustainability Basics is filling a new and unanswered demand in the hotel industry: to provide a solid, trusted, and clear label for essential hotel sustainability. It’s important we define responsible travel to preserve the planet and protect communities. With Hotel Sustainability Basics we offer the traveller a clear sustainable stay option for all types of hotels around the world.”
She added, “Radisson Hotel Group commits to implement Hotel Sustainability Basics in all its 1,100 hotels by 2025. We do this together with our shareholder Jin Jiang International, their affiliate Louvre Hotel Group and other major hotel groups and destinations around the world.”
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