London.- The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced a major milestone with over 5,000 properties across more than 80 countries adopting its Hotel Sustainability Basics (Basics) program.
Hotels in key regions including Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific have embraced Basics. The programme continues to gain traction globally with new partnerships in Japan, the Philippines and India.
Basics is an independent verification programme supervised by Green Key and SGS, featuring a 12-step criterion to improve sustainability. It helps hotels reduce carbon emissions, manage energy and water use, and handle waste, while benefiting local communities.
Major hotel brands like Jin Jiang, Louvre Hotels Group, Choice Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, and Accor have adopted Basics. The Japan Tourism Board and WTTC are collaborating through the Japan Sustainable Tourism Initiative (JSTi) to roll out Basics nationwide. In the Philippines, Tajara Hospitality Group and Greenview are launching Basics through PhilHost. In India, Basics will expand with support from The Indian Hotels Company Limited, Radisson India and MakeMyTrip.
Travel + Leisure is now an official supporter, integrating Basics across over 245 sites. The programme is also available in English, French, Spanish and Japanese to meet global demand.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasized that reaching 5,000 verified properties highlights the global travel industry’s commitment to sustainability. The initiative aims to foster a responsible and eco-friendly future for hospitality.
Independent hotel management companies and unique accommodations are also adopting Basics, with Aleph Hospitality and Sanctuary Retreats entering their second year of verification.
Hotel Sustainability Basics has received endorsements from destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador, marking a significant step forward in sustainable tourism.