New Era in Hospitality: 5,000 Hotels Worldwide Adopt WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) celebrates yet another milestone as over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries have now embraced its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) program.

Hotels in major destinations across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific have adopted Basics, and the programme 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 program, supervised by renowned assessors Green Key and SGS, ensuring rigorous standards and credibility.

“WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics is a powerful testament to our collective effort in promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality industry,” WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson.

The program 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.

Leading hotel brands, including Jin Jiang, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, European giant Louvre Hotels Group, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Accor have adopted Basics.

The Japan Tourism Board has partnered with WTTC through its Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (JSTi) to support the launch of Basics across the country. A pilot program sets the stage before extending the initiative to all Japanese accommodation providers.

In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview have partnered with the global tourism body on the market launch of Basics through their annual sustainable hospitality event PhilHost.

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

Travel + Leisure is now an official supporter, helping leverage Hotel Sustainability Basics across its portfolio of 245+ sites.

To meet international demand, Basics is now also available in multiple languages, offering comprehensive resources in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

Independent hotel management companies and unique accommodation providers have also taken their first steps in sustainability by adhering to the Basics criteria.

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, Sanctuary Retreats by Abercrombie and Kent, luxury African safari lodges, amongst others, are now entering their second year of verification.

Hotel Sustainability Basics has also gained endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador.

“Surpassing 5,000 verified properties is more than just a milestone; it demonstrates Travel & Tourism’s readiness to embrace sustainability globally,” WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said.

“This initiative unites hotels, industry partners, and sustainability standards to create a resilient, responsible, and planet-friendly future,” she added.

The WTTC launched the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative in 2022.