INITIATIVE
Hotel Sustainability Basics
Hotel Sustainability Basics is a globally recognised and coordinated set of sustainability indicators that all hotels should implement as a minimum. Developed by the industry for the industry, they represent the 12 actions that are fundamental to hotel sustainability. WTTC is calling on hotel operators, owners, associations, and investors around the world to implement the criteria over the next three years.
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Verification partner:
Strategically designed to help hotels start their sustainability journey
The Travel & Tourism sector is taking important steps toward greater sustainability and net-zero operations. Yet many hotel companies and properties continue to face important challenges in starting their sustainability journeys, often due to financial and human resource constraints. It is vital to support and empower these stakeholders to embark on their sustainability journeys in an aligned and strategic manner.
The global hotel industry has come together to identify the first crucial steps that all properties can and should take, irrespective of their size, resources and progress made so far, thereby raising the base level of sustainability across the entire industry.
How It works
The Hotel Sustainability Basics criteria are open source and freely available for any hotel company or property to adopt. They are intended as the first step of a progressive sustainability journey, that can then be expanded to follow more ambitious pathways (e.g. Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality or the GSTC’s standards).
WTTC urges the sector to seek constant improvements beyond the 12 basic criteria so that every hotel, whether it's an individual business or part of a larger group, is always developing new ways to become more sustainable.
GET INVOLVED
The Process
Step 1
WTTC introduces Hotel Sustainability Basics: consisting of 12 criteria, grouped into three areas: Efficiency, Planet and People.
Step 2
Of the 12 criteria, hotels need to comply with 8 initially, while the others can be committed to and put in place within 3 years.
Step 3
The criteria can be implemented by any hotel worldwide. Those wishing for validation can go through an official verification process.
Meet the Basics
The criteria have been developed under the leadership of WTTC and through a working group of 11 hotel companies, with the support of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. They have been reviewed, debated and reworked following several rounds of industry consultation so that they truly represent the common denominator and most transversal sustainability actions across the industry.
The working group members include Accor, Barcelo Hotel Group, Huazhu Group Limited including their affiliate Deutsche Hospitality, Indian Hotels Company Limited, Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group, Meli Hotels International, Minor International, NH Hotel Group, Radisson Hotel Group.
Efficiency
Robust approaches to measuring and reducing energy and water consumption, waste and carbon emissions.
- Measure & Reduce Energy Use
- Measure & Reduce Water Use
- Identify & Reduce Waste
- Measure & Reduce Carbon Emissions
Planet
Fundamental actions to protect the environment.
5. Linen reuse programme
6. Green cleaning products
7. Vegetarian options
8. No plastic straws or stirrers
9. No SUP water bottles
10. Bulk amenity dispensers
People
Fundamental actions toward a positive contribution to local communities and workforce.
11. Community Benefit
12. Reduce Inequalities
GET VERIFIED
Verification partner
SGS is WTTC’s partner verifier who will take you through the validation process to ensure your business meets the criteria to receive the Hotel Sustainability Basics Verification stamp.
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The journey ahead
Launch & Commitment
WTTC launches the Initiative at the 21st WTTC Global Summit, Manila for DMOs, Industry Associations and Hard Brand and Group HQS.
Benchmarking
WTTC invited Hotels to participate in the Green Lodging Trends Report (GLTR) to access an insightful benchmark report.
Verification
WTTC launches the verification scheme for individual hotel properties that adopt the Hotel Sustainability Basics Initiative in Q1 2023.
Vision: 2023 & Beyond
A global movement for Hotel Sustainability with no property left behind.
Benefits of becoming Verified
Positioning
Strengthen your position as a sustainability leader by committing to ensure that your hotel(s) are or will implement the criteria as a bare minimum.
Benchmarking
Better understand your impacts on resources, the planet, and people and identify opportunities for operational improvements thanks to the tracking and benchmarking of progress made.
Networking
Be an integrated part of all global technical activities WTTC organises around this initiative and connect with like-minded businesses to share experiences and learn from each other to scale impact.
Promotion
Increase awareness about your sustainability commitment to a global audience on both the demand and supply side by being part of all WTTC communication activities.
Testimonials
The Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative is an important add-on to Azerbaijan’s overall sustainable tourism development strategy. We are committed to prioritize sustainability through the entire value chain and customer journey.
Florian Sengstschmid
CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board
Nayarit está comprometido con asegurar un desarrollo sostenible en material turística en todos los aspectos que lo involucran y adherir a esta iniciativa es un paso importante para fomentar esta conciencia en la cadena de valor en el destino.
Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero
Gobernador del estado de Nayarit, Nayarit
You Will be in Good Company
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Why have 12 criteria been selected?
The 12 criteria have been selected following an intense process of industry review and based on their significance as actions which represent a base level of sustainability activity that all hotels should be undertaking. They represent both back of house and guest facing activities, both of which are critical to making real sustainability progress, and include both environmental and social aspects.
During the review process it became clear that reducing the number of criteria would compromise the robustness of the initiative, by eliminating some key and fundamental actions, but a phased approach has been suggested to allow time for the full set to be implemented. Furthermore, any more would dilute the focus and overwhelm those trying to put them into practice.
2.
Why are some mandatory from the outset?
It is recognised that the 12 criteria although basic in nature, will still take time and effort to implement particularly in hotels which are starting out on their sustainability journey.
For this reason, 8 of the criteria should be in place within the first year of implementation, and the remaining 4 by year three.
There is flexibility in terms of which criteria hotels may choose to prioritise for year 1.