WTTC launches Hotel Sustainability Basics verification scheme

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the Hotel Sustainability Basics verification scheme, which will enable global tourist accommodation providers of all sizes to “begin their sustainability journey”.

The scheme first launched at the WTTC’s global summit in Manilla last year and has recognised and coordinated a set of criteria that all hotels should implement as a minimum to “drive responsible and sustainable travel and tourism”. 

It emerged as a result of a clear demand from a group of global hotel brands to focus on an achievable starting point. Basics encourages all hospitality businesses to begin their sustainability journeys and redefine the non-negotiables of sustainability in the industry.

In order to ensure the validity of the programme, WTTC partnered with Green Key and SGS to develop a simple online verification system to allow hotels to provide evidence and ensure they are following the Basics.

The verification scheme enables hotels and other tourist accommodation to be officially verified for meeting eight of the 12 criteria in the first year and demonstrate their commitment to working toward all 12 of the criteria by year three. 

In addition, six major international hotel groups, collectively representing tens of thousands of sites from around the world, have joined Basics as inaugural partners. The first hotel groups include 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 have launched the verification scheme for Hotel Sustainability Basics. The initiative is a response to the sector’s need for a baseline for hotels and other tourist lodgings to start their sustainability journeys. 

“Our research shows that most business owners are aware of their responsibility to the environment but many sustainability practices such as efficient water use initiatives are patchy. Basics fills the gap by creating that level playing field for the sector.” 

She added: “It is testament to the need for such a scheme that thousands of hotels from around the world have already signed up to Basics and are beginning their verification processes from today.” 

Inge Huijbrechts, global senior VP of sustainability, security and corporate communications at RHG, 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.

“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.”