New report on single-use plastics aims to advance sustainability in the tourism industry

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), launched a major new report, addressing the complex issue of single-use plastic products within the tourism and hospitality industry and providing guidelines to avoid single-use plastics altogether.

In recent years, the reduction of single-use plastics has been one of the main concerns of the hospitality industry. Leading hotel chains started to ban the use of plastic straws or replaced travel-sized toiletries with dispensers. Since July 2021, the EU no longer allows certain single-use plastic items to be placed on the Member States market, a policy that supports the growing trend of switching to reusable or more eco-friendly alternatives.

However, there is still a lot of work ahead of the industry to become plastic-free. Water bottles, plastic bags, bin liners, food packaging and cups are among the biggest plastic polluters for which solutions need to be found. Rethinking the way we consume is an enormous task that requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic was a set-back for the efforts of many businesses to reduce the amount of plastic waste as the safety and hygiene concerns required to reintroduce some items that were already banned, and take-away becoming a major income for those businesses offering food.

However, the pandemic also had some positive impacts on the demand for sustainable solutions, not only in tourism but in general. We were confronted with the negative impacts of the way we treat our planet and realised that we need to change our consumption patterns to keep it viable. Being confronted with all the additional plastic waste that we produced due to the pandemic catalysed the demand for change.

The report of the WTTC and UNEP recognises the need for global solutions to the ‘plastic problem’ and aims to support informed decision making in the tourism industry. It explains the challenges in detail and provides recommendations for tourism businesses and policy-makers.

You can download the report here: ‘Rethinking Single-Use Plastic Products in Travel & Tourism’

76% of travellers pledging to seek out accommodation that has sustainability accreditation

Booking.com’s latest Sustainable Travel Report affirms a growing demand for sustainable travel and reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could translate the travellers’ intend to travel more sustainably into impactful action.

For the sixth consecutive year, Booking.com released its Sustainable Travel Report which gives some very interesting insights into the demand for sustainable travel. The results prove that sustainable tourism is not a niche market anymore, but that travellers demand that the accommodation they choose take actions to protect the environment and support the local community.

Some interesting results from the report at a glimpse:

• 61 % of travellers state that the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future

• 81% of travellers intend to stay in a sustainable accommodation, at least once in the upcoming year, compared to 73% in 2019 and 65% in 2017

• 76% of travellers pledge to seek out accommodation that has reputable third-party sustainability accreditation

• 73% of travellers would be more likely to choose an accommodation if it has implemented sustainability practices

Travellers are furthermore willing to change their behaviour while staying in a tourist accommodation to reduce their environmental footprint:

• 83% want to reduce their energy consumption (e.g. by turning off air conditioning and lights in their room when they are not in it, for example)

• 79% want to use more environmentally friendly modes of transport (i.e. walking, cycling or public transport over taxis or rental cars)

• 76% are keen to reduce water usage (e.g. by reusing towels or opting out of daily room cleaning)

• 69% are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their trip or pay to offset this whenever possible

Fortunately, these are not only good intentions. The report also reveals that many travellers already take action to reduce their environmental footprint when travelling. In the past 12 months:

• 45% made a conscious decision to turn off their air conditioning/heater in their accommodation when they weren’t there in the past

• 43% took their own reusable water bottle, rather than buying bottled water while on vacation

• 40% reused the same towel to reduce water usage

• 42% shopped at small, independent stores to support the local economy during their travels.

In addition, travellers place clear demand on the accommodation sector to help them lower their environmental footprint and make responsible choices in the destination:

• 35% believe that having electricity controlled by keycards and/or sensors to reduce energy use for air conditioning or heating should be provided

• 32% consider offering guests information about local ecosystems, heritage, culture, as well as visitor etiquette as a step in the right direction

• 27% believe that accommodations should offer guests the option to opt out of daily room cleaning to reduce water usage

• 27%of travellers would prefer only being offered reusable plates and cutlery for all meals, including room service

However, the survey also reveals that travellers struggle with turning their intentions into actions:

• 72% think travel companies should offer more sustainable choices

• 48% say they find it harder to make sustainable choices while on vacation than in their everyday life

• 41% of travellers indicate that they don’t know how to find sustainable travel options

Eco-certifications like Green Key can help to close this gap and answer the travellers’ demand for sustainable tourism. They provide a framework for making a business more sustainable and help travellers find those businesses and providers that really make a difference.

To read the full report, visit Booking.com

Green Key to contribute to specialisation course on sustainable tourism in Cambodia

In collaboration with École d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT) and the German agency GIZ Regional Economic Development Program IV (GIZ RED IV), Green Key on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education is offering a specialisation course on sustainability in tourism and hospitality to tourism professionals in Cambodia.

Copyright: Visme

Tourism and hospitality, one of the largest industries worldwide, currently faces many challenges, among them the responsibility to become more sustainable. When international tourists start returning to Cambodia, quality standards will be essential, and actors in the tourism and hospitality sector should start developing quality sustainable practices. As the awareness to make sustainable travel choices increases, seeking innovative principles for long-term sustainable solutions for the hospitality and tourism industry is of vital importance.

To stimulate a continuous stream of new ideas and best practices, we invite tourism and hospitality actors to join this short specialization course in collaboration with the École d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and the German agency GIZ Regional Economic Development Program IV (GIZ RED IV).

The course explores the conceptual foundations of sustainable development and discusses existing challenges in the context of Cambodia.

On behalf of FEE and Green Key, Isabel Lissner, International Green Key Coordinator, will facilitate one out of three modules of this course, focusing on the concept of sustainability, sustainable tourism and eco-certification in tourism and hospitality.

“We very much welcomed this opportunity as it is part of Green Key’s strategy to collaborate with educational institutions to integrate sustainable tourism and eco-certification in the curricula of hospitality schools and universities. In this way, we can ensure that the new generation of tourism professionals is well aware of how to build a sustainable industry that benefits the guests, host community and our planet”.

Green Key growth in France despite a challenging period due to Covid-19

The Green Key National Operator for France, Nathalie Bel Baussant, explains in an interview how the programme had 35% increase in new applicants in 2020 despite the Covid-19 crisis, and she foresees that the larger interest in responsible tourism will continue to grow in the coming years.

Nathalie Bel Baussant, Green Key National Operator for France

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 has been very challenging for the hospitality industry in general. The industry has faced periods of lockdown, no international tourism, etc. However, the situation has not been exactly the same in all countries and within different tourism sub-sectors. What was the situation for Green Key in France in 2020, and how did the French Green Key administration get through the year?

The situation for Green Key in France in 2020 was challenging. We learnt how to work under a lockdown situation. We postponed the application deadline from April to June, and the audits from spring to autumn. We launched several webinars about the Green Key criteria to support accommodations. We postponed invoicing to demonstrate solidarity with establishments. And we maintained an active communication rhythm to encourage accommodations to apply to Green Key but with adapted messages taking into account the Covid-19 situation. 

Les Ecologites de la Rochelle Jardin, one of the new Green Key awarded establishments in France in 2020

In France, the number of Green Key applicants increased exceptionally despite the pandemic. How do you explain that?

The number of Green Key new applicants increased by 35% in 2020 (140 versus 104 in 2019) and we got a 91% renewal rate for already awarded establishments. We see three main explanations:

The first one is external. We benefited from a national context that helped establishments to survive the crisis: strong support from the State, temporary end of the lockdown during the summer (high season), strong national market with 86% of French people who travelled in France (increase of 20% compared to a classic year).

Then the Green Key France team adapted its processes and calendar as explained previously. We offered increased support to new applicants and we intensified follow-up with partners.

Last but not least, we view this increase as the consequence of a long-term development strategy, which mainly relies on raising awareness among the industry regarding the necessity to change practices and to adapt facilities. Indeed we already got a 33% increase in new applicants in 2019.

Here in 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic is still present, but with vaccination schemes being rolled out across Europe, what are your expectations for Green Key and responsible tourism in France in 2021?

The desire for responsible tourism is already significant in France with 714 accommodations and restaurants awarded with Green Key, as well as 525 beaches and marinas awarded with Blue Flag. And it is increasing, which is an excellent news! We have just received 225 new applications for Green Key in France in 2021, a 61% increase compared to 2020.

Travelers’ sense of responsibility and expectations regarding the tourism industry are growing, hospitality management is more and more aware of it as well as the potential savings on water and energy that responsible practices can bring. The French national and regional authorities are also encouraging a more sustainable tourism industry. There is a positive trend and we have to capitalize on it.

Les Ecologites de la Rochelle Jardin, one of the new Green Key awarded establishments in France in 2020

It is our common hope that the pandemic will lose strength after 2021. Do you think in 2022 we will be able to return to the situation prior to the pandemic, or would you expect a change in focus? How do you expect it will impact the Green Key programme in France in the coming years?

I expect a change in focus for most actors of the tourism industry. The crisis has showed that we live in a word of interdependency. That’s also the message carried out by the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals that we strongly support. Once there is awareness, people are more willing to change. National authorities and sustainable actors like Green Key have to demonstrate their ability to accompany this desire for change. At Green Key France, we are intensifying our support with a new extranet, additional best practices sharing and webinars. We will also have to adapt the size and the organisation of our team to face increasing demand, which is a good problem!

Green Key’s activities presented at the FEE General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) was held on 17 June 2021, and Green Key’s activities for 2018-2021 as well as plans for 2021-2023 were presented.

The FEE General Assembly had the participation of more than 100 representatives from the global network of FEE member organisations. The event was the first ever virtual General Assembly for the organisation.

Among the issues for the FEE General Assembly was the presentation of highlights from the last few years and plans for the future of the organisation.

Green Key was one of five programmes of FEE informing about the activities and plans. The activities in the past three years included the recognition and cooperation with various international partners, such as international hotel chains, online booking and travel agencies, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés in Europe, etc. The presentation also included information about the management and support to Green Key establishments during the current Covid-19 crisis. The last part of the presentation was dedicated to the future plans of Green Key with the new criteria taking effect from next year, the increased focus on collection of best practise examples and quantitative data as well as the training through courses and webinars.

The FEE General Assembly 2021 also approved new affiliate and associate members as well as the upgrade of members from associate to full member status. FEE now has 101 member organisations in 79 countries. Eight new honorary members were approved and three new persons were elected to the Board of FEE. There is more information about the FEE General Assembly on the Facebook page of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Green Key featured in FEE's Annual Report 2020

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has recently published the 2020 Annual Report. The document displays the 2020 status of all FEE programmes, including Green Key.

 The COVID-19 crisis had a significant impact on the hospitality industry in 2020. The sector needed extra support to maintain sustainability standards in 2020, and Green Key was ready to step up and help. The programme developed and implemented a COVID-19 strategy to give establishments more flexibility in order to retain their Green Key awards. The strategy included the option to extend the period of the award, as well as the option for virtual on-site audits. Green Key also launched its #GreenKeyCares social media campaign to showcase inspiring examples of establishments adapting their work to the changing circumstances of COVID-19.

 Despite the challenging period, Green Key was able to expand its reach:

• First Green Key awarded establishments in Brazil, Zambia and the Faroe Islands.

• Green Key entered an agreement Historic Hotels of Europe, an exclusive collection of inde­pendent hotels, castles and country houses in more than 20 countries across Europe.

• Green Key also formed a new partnership with Pegasus, a leading global provider of hotel reservations and e-commerce solutions, to provide hotels with access to support, tools and resources for sustainability.

• Green Key was also very pleased to welcome a new cor­porate partner in Purezza Premium Water, which provides high-quality sustainable water dispensing solutions to more than 8,000 restaurants, cafés and hotels.

• Green Key Key was proud to be recognised by the Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés (HORTEC) as a preferred eco-label for sustainability in the hospitality sector.

• Green Key also announced a new agreement with Travel Without Plastic to promote and facilitate plastic reduction in the tourism industry, and Green Key joined in pushing for action on the climate crisis through the ‘Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency’ initiative.

Click on the picture to get access to the full FEE Annual Report 2020

New hope for Ecotourism

Green Key’s web partner, EcoHotels.com, sees a significant increase in the search for environmentally friendly accommodation.

Green Key awarded “Manon Les Suites” in Copenhagen, Denmark

EcoHotels.com was created in April 2020 as a booking site focused on true sustainability, fair principles, and low commissions. This team of digital marketers, developers, and sustainable focused strategist have in the last year build a platform for solely certified sustainable hotels.

Patricia Plesner Arnsted, CEO of EcoHotels.com says: “I have seen how first-hand the Covid-19 pandemic that has since elicited in one of the worst financial crises the tourism industry, hotels closed down and an extreme unemployment. We looked at the numbers and have been able to offer all certified hotels on our site an 8% commission fee, eliciting in us – with our motto: One Booking-One Tree planting 25.000 trees.”

In the last few months an extreme amount of page views on EcoHotels.com amounting to over 500.000 views. Besides all the good and hopeful data, they have seen how bookings start to appear again after a long year in hibernation. Their digital marketing strategy has been the foundation for their steady growth. There is an awakening of ecotourism and they continue to see a demand from future eco-travelers asking for more hotels, missing destination, or wondering what makes a hotel sustainable. Luckily, there are certifications programmes, like Green Key, to refer to, and a bunch of sign-ups.

Continuously growing eco-community, and the longing for sustainable traveling gives EcoHotels.com great hope that the big wave of Ecotourism will boom sooner than later

Goodbye Tiny Bottles, Hello Dispensers

The Grupo Posadas Hotel Chain in Mexico with more than 150 Green Key awarded hotels has launched a very efficient initiative with the aim of reducing the use of plastic.

A traditional tourism model is now considered unsustainable because of the irrational use of natural resources without improving the tourist offer. Hotels following the traditional model significantly contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases, and the management results in the creation of big amounts of waste. When the waste is created in places without sufficient plans for handling the waste, it causes a considerable risk to the environment because of the average degradation of plastic (PET or PETE) being around 500 years. The current pandemic has, in addition, led to an increased use of single-use plastic with increased plastic pollution as a result.

It is, therefore, important that the hospitality industry changes its focus to demonstrate a high commitment to sustainable development. A great example of this commitment is the campaign that the Grupo Posadas Hotel Chain made during 2020 exchanging single amenities to dispensers in the guest rooms of all their hotels.

Before, each room used three bottles of 50 ml in Grand Fiesta Americana hotels and three bottles of 30 ml in Fiesta Inn hotels. These small single-use plastic bottles are now replaced by three dispensers of 300 ml. This initiative significantly reduces plastic waste as each refill replaces 18 single-use bottles in Grand Fiesta Americana hotels and 30 single-use bottles in Fiesta Inn hotels. With the occupancy rate of rooms in 2020 at the hotels of the Grupo Posadas Hotel Chain, this initiative has led to a decrease of 8.8 tons of PET plastic!

The change at these hotels to a more sustainable management practice has not only reduced the plastic pollution and ensured a lower environmental footprint, but it has also led to the supply chain having embraced a circular model approach by ensuring that the products and packaging are being redesigned, and it has resulted in more sustainable destinations receiving less plastic waste. On top of that, it has led to a decrease in operating costs for Grupo Posadas.

The excellent initiative in all the 150+ hotels in the Grupo Posadas Hotel Chain is a great support to the sustainable tourism model promoted in the Green Key programme. The initiative reduces the environmental footprint showing a pathway to a more sustainable management. Green Key and Grupo Posadas would encourage all travellers to choose an eco-friendly accommodation!

Two first establishments in Trinidad & Tobago achieving the Green Key award

The Green Key National Jury of Trinidad & Tobago has awarded the Green Key to the first two accommodation properties: Bananaquit and Shepherd’s Inn, both located on the island of Tobago.

The two establishments in Tobago are currently the only Green Key awarded establishments in the English-Speaking Caribbean.

Commenting on the achievement, Rachel Best, Manager of Bananaquit wrote: “Bananaquit has always tried to operate in a way which has the least impact on the environment. Tobago is still an untouched, unspoiled beautiful island and we want to be a part of keeping it that way. That is what our guests and visitors keep coming back for. We are excited to be approved by Green Key, and we are eager to work together in forging a way ahead for a greener, cleaner and more sustainable Tobago.”

Colin Shepherd, Owner of Shepherd’s Inn, added: “Green Key will play a pivotal role in the sustainability of the hotel. Mainly by protecting the environment, and conserving water and energy. I am happy to be part of that development. It is an honour to be Green

Green T&T, the National Operator for the Green Key Programme in Trinidad &Tobago, worked closely with both establishments to ensure that they met the requirements, and – in some cases - exceed some of the criteria set forward.

Tenisha Brown-Williams, National Coordinator for the Green Key programme in Trinidad & Tobago applauded the achievement and stated: “In spite of the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic to the local tourism sector, Bananaquit and Shepherd’s Inn have both demonstrated remarkable effort in assuring that their operations are environmentally sustainable. Having these properties obtaining the international Green Key award during this difficult period adds credence to the positioning of Tobago as an unspoilt, untouched Caribbean island that is committed to sustainable tourism development, not in word only, but in action. With the imminent restart of global travel, Tobago through the continued implementation of the Green Key programme will gain significant competitive advantage in the minds of the environmentally conscious traveller. Tobago is proving to the world that it is a small island with a big heart for sustainable tourism.”

The Green Key programme is jointly executed in Tobago by Green T&T and the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL). For TTAL, the Green Key programme is seamlessly aligned with its ‘Tobago Beyond Ordinary’ brand, and its “unspoilt, untouched, undiscovered” tagline. As an advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives, the Agency has been working on empowering local tourism stakeholders to project the core appeals of the island, and to raise the standard and quality of sustainable tourism products. To this end, TTAL continues to collaborate with local and international NGO’s such as Green T&T to direct change and development within the industry, while enhancing the sustainability of destination Tobago.

Louis Lewis, CEO of TTAL stated: “With two accommodation establishments attaining Green Key accreditation, it signals incipient signs of a synergy between the private sector and the policy intent to position Tobago as an authentic, sustainable tourism destination post COVID-19. One of the most important facets of this programme is that it raises awareness and creates behavioural changes in guests, staff, and suppliers of individual tourism establishments which has a ripple effect throughout the tourism sector. We endorse this initiative and want to encourage all accommodation providers on the island to consider engaging in this programme, not only for its competitive advantage and positioning, but because it is the right thing to do for the environment.”

One of the fundamental principles of FEE and the Green Key programme is the use of national stakeholders in key decision-making processes. As such, the decision to award an establishment the Green Key certification is made by the Green Key National Jury from Trinidad and Tobago consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation- Tobago House of Assembly, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, Department of Environment- Tobago House of the Assembly, Environmental Management Authority, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute, Tobago Hospitality & Tour Operators Association, Council of Presidents of The Environment (COPE) and Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd.