The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)’s Hotel Sustainability Basics program has reached an important milestone: more than 5,000 hotels in over 80 countries have joined the initiative to become more sustainable.
The independent verification program is monitored by verifiers Green Key and SGS and offers hotels of all sizes a 12-step criterion for reducing carbon emissions, energy and water consumption and improving waste management, while ensuring that local communities directly benefit from hotel operations.
Hotel brands such as Jin Jian, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Accor and Louvre Hotels Group have joined forces. In Japan, the Japan Tourism Board has partnered with the WTTC to launch a pilot program for its hotels. And in India, WTTC members The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India, WTTC India Initiative, Hotel Association of India and MakeMyTrip are joining forces to roll out Hotel Sustainability Basics across the country.
The Hotel Sustainability Basics program has grown at an unprecedented pace since its debut in January, celebrating 1,700 members in March and 3,400 in May. Due to its global popularity, the program is available in multiple languages and includes resources in English, French, Spanish and Japanese.
“WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics is a powerful testament to our collective efforts to promote sustainable practices in the hotel industry,” said Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC. “Over 5,000 verified hotels is more than just a milestone; it shows that the travel and tourism industry is ready to embrace sustainability globally. This initiative brings together hotels, industry partners and sustainability standards to create a resilient, responsible and environmentally friendly future.”
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