WTTC's Hotel Sustainability Basics adopted by over 5,000 hotels

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries have now embraced its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) programme. Hotels in major destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have adopted the programme which continues to receive global support with new partnerships in tourism powerhouses such as Japan, the Philippines and India.

Designed to guide hoteliers in their initial steps towards enhanced sustainability, Basics is an independent verification programme, supervised by renowned assessors Green Key and SGS, ensuring rigorous standards and credibility. It empowers hotels of all sizes with a comprehensive 12-step criteria aimed at reducing carbon emissions, energy, water and waste management, and ensuring local communities benefit from hotel operations.

The Japan Tourism Board through its Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (JSTi) has partnered with WTTC to support the launch of the programme across the country  In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview have partnered with the global tourism body on the market launch of the programme through their annual sustainable hospitality event PhilHost. 

The Basics programme is also set to expand across India with support from members such as The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India, WTTC India Initiative, Hotel Association of India, and the country's leading online travel agency MakeMyTrip.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & Chief Executive Officer, stated, “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 & 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.”

This milestone signifies a pivotal step forward for Travel & Tourism. The global tourism body remains committed to leading the sector towards a more sustainable and responsible future.