The WTTC has initiated Hotel Sustainability Basics – a globally recognised and coordinated set of criteria that all hotels should implement as a minimum to drive responsible travel and tourism.

The programme highlights 12 actions fundamental to hotel sustainability and aims to help the industry improve its environmental impact by providing every hotel a starting point on their sustainability journey.

The initiative has already gained support from major hotel groups such as Jin Jiang International, Radisson Hotel Group and Accor, as well as key hotel associations around the world like the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, the Hotel Association of India, Huazhu Hotels Group, and many more.

WTTC urges the sector to seek constant improvements beyond the 12 basic criteria so that every hotel can move on to more advanced frameworks and greater sustainability.

Julia Simpson, WTTC president & CEO, said: “We are launching the Hotel Sustainability Basics to ensure no hotel, however small, is left behind in the drive to introduce a basis sustainability measures within a minimum level the next three years.

“Sustainability is non-negotiable but not every small hotel has access to the science on how to make a difference. This gives everyone access to a global standard and provides consumers to travel with conference.”

WTTC has collaborated with leading global brands and industry associations to develop the criteria, which includes actions to measure and reduce energy use, measure and reduce water use, identify and reduce waste, and measure and reduce carbon emissions. It also includes a linen reuse programme, use of green cleaning products, elimination of single-use plastic items, implementation of bulk amenity dispensers, and measures to benefit local communities.

Wolfgang M Neumann, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance chair, said: “Every industry must do its part to ensure the future of our planet and its people. While many companies are taking great strides and leading the way, others are only now taking their first steps.

“This initiative acts as a stepping stone to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, which will enable every hotel to take a strategic and progressive approach to achieving a positive environmental impact, whatever their starting point.”

Hotel groups, brands, operators and owners can also become WTTC recognised supporters by endorsing the initiative and completing the Green Lodging Trends Survey to benchmark their performance and keep track of progress.