Booking.com implements ‘Travel Sustainable Badge’ to aid identifying conscious establishments

Booking.com has released a new Travel Sustainable Badge that is accessible to all global partners to gain recognition through the programme, whilst making it simpler for travellers to find eco-conscious establishments.

Booking.com has introduced a sustainability recognition programme that is available for all global partners to utilise. It has been created to encourage the travel industry to act more sustainably and to make it easier for travellers to make sustainable booking choices. The online booking platform has stated that travel allows individuals to broaden their horizons and bring people together, though it is vital for travelling to be done properly, by treating the environment, biodiversity and the residents of the destination with respect.

The Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge shares their partners’ sustainability practices so that the public can understand the initiatives the establishments are taking before making their choice. Allowing those who are environmentally conscious an opportunity to make their reservation with confidence that their visit will have a low impact on the destination. There are 32 sustainability practices that establishments can choose from and the claims are verified through independent professionals in the sustainability sector. The initiatives are additionally shared in numerous languages for individuals to read on their property pages.

In addition, establishments that fulfil the criteria of a GSTC recognised standard such as Green Key have their eco-certification also added to their profile page in Booking.com.

Booking.com has stated that their research found that 73% of travellers are likely to reserve a room in an establishment that has sustainability practices in place. Though 41% are not aware of how to identify sustainable travel options. This problem is solved through the use of the new badge, showcasing establishments that are eligible for the badge as they have been verified and met the sustainability criteria model. Furthermore, the badge provides the establishments with additional recognition for their efforts.

NH Hotel Group continues sustainable initiatives as they gain recognition for third year in a row

NH Hotel Group has continued to be recognised for their sustainable efforts through numerous environmental commitments and initiatives. As they are among the top three establishments within S&P Global report for a sustainable hotel corporation, whilst similarly maintaining recognition as a top performer within the hospitality industry.

NH Hotel Group has been recognised within the hotel sector as one of the three most sustainable companies in the world. S&P Global assessed the group for the third subsequent year, as they repeat their position at third place among the top three establishments within sustainability in the hotel industry globally. S&P Global assesses the organisations yearly as they produce promising corporate procedures concerning sustainability, with a focus on three sustainable dimensions: economic, social and environmental impacts and initiatives. In 2021, over 8,000 organisations were asked to partake in the method as a questionnaire was produced containing both public and private data from the participating organisations. Since the previous year, the NH Hotel Group have improved their score acquired in the criteria. 

"This recognition showcases our firm commitment to the responsible and sustainable management of our company, even in the most adverse of times. These results confirm that we are moving in the right direction and encourage us to continue working towards leading sustainability within the sector". - Ramón Aragonés, CEO of NH Hotel Group, 

Additionally, the NH Hotel Group, part of Minor Hotels has maintained recognition as a top performer within the hospitality industry. They are among the 25,000 hotels that have endeavoured to establish a standard definition of hotel sustainability, this will be launched in March 2022 to drive responsible travel & tourism. The framework will provide a common ground starting point for hotels to begin their sustainability journey. The information will be easily accessible for hotels around the world, regardless of whether they are a large corporation or independent hotel. Furthermore, a recent internal training has been made mandatory for all employees on Environmental Awareness.

Recent research recognises a change in consumers attitudes and desire for sustainable travel

Over the last 18 months, everything has changed, and that includes people's attitudes towards sustainability - both in their everyday lives and when it comes to how they travel. In this context, Skyscanner in cooperation with YouGov conducted research to better understand how the pandemic has impacted people's attitudes and behaviour around more responsible air travel.

Since the start of the pandemic, people are thinking differently about sustainability.  Alongside YouGov, Skyscanner surveyed over 6,000 people to discover what’s motivating travellers globally and how lifestyle choices have impacted the way they want to travel. 

The key takeaways as stated in Skyscanner’s original report are:

1. Awareness around sustainability is huge and it's seen as a key issue. Due to the pandemic, people are trying to be more sustainable in their lives, avoid products with excessive packaging and buy more local produce.

2. People are willing to accept a level of personal accountability towards making more sustainable travel choices but believe the responsibility lies chiefly with governments and the travel industry.

3. In general, people feel there's very little information regarding sustainability. And what is available is very confusing.

4. Many don't believe carbon offsetting helps to reduce the effect of global travel. Instead, they believe more fuel-efficient aircrafts and sustainable aviation fuel could be the answer. Overall, they feel there's too little or confusing information on the benefits of carbon offsetting when deciding which flights to book.

5. Across all countries surveyed, cost remains a key factor and remains the deciding factor when it comes to booking plane tickets.

The ongoing pandemic has held an intense impact on societies' lives and lifestyle decisions. In the survey, it was identified that 'caring for the environment’ plus 'increasing sustainability to tackle climate change' are now of similar importance than ‘improving access to healthcare’.

Though, it was also stated in the report that few individuals may argue that it is of higher importance to improve tourism figures before focusing on other areas. In the article in Travel Weekly, YouGov’s head of travel and tourism, Eva Satkute Stewart disagrees as she argues that sustainability and recovery are not mutually exclusive. Customers are prepared to spend higher amounts for sustainable travel as individuals desire to take part in advocating to preserve the environment.

Due to the ongoing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, travellers needed to make adaptions. It can be suggested that the additional time with limited possibilities to travel has allowed tourists to become more conscious of the negative impact on the environment that they may have whilst travelling. Being aware of what consumers are looking for allows organisations to make responsible decisions that will aid both the tourists and the organisation to achieve improved sustainable travel results.

The research from YouGov reports that customers around the world desire to be more sustainable in their daily lives as well as strengthen that passion through travel. It was stated that there are a few important limitations to adopting sustainable travel, such as cost, access to information and convenience.

Source: YouGov and Skyscanner’s Sustainability in Air Travel report 2021

Foundation for Environmental Education celebrates 40 years of positive change!

Green Key has participated in numerous activities to celebrate the Foundation for Environmental Education’s 40th anniversary.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is the world's largest environmental education organisation with members in 77 countries. FEE manages five programmes (including Green Key) in which they empower individuals, authorities and businesses to participate in meaningful and purposeful actions in order to further a more sustainable society.

In 2021, FEE celebrated its 40th Anniversary of positive change on a global scale. FEE began in 1981 through a small but enthusiastic gathering of environmental educators. Today, FEE has more than 100 member organisations spread over six continents!

A few of Green Key National Operators have shared short video interviews about their involvement with Green Key. Be sure to watch the interviews with Erik van Dijk from the Netherlands, Mikal Holt Jensen from Denmark and Joanna Moses-Wothke from Trinidad and Tobago. Furthermore, Green Key is very proud to highlight the interview with Antonio Loureiro, a recognised chef from a Green Key awarded establishment in Portugal.

Additionally, be sure to watch the #passtheflag video from our National Operators from around the world to share their birthday wishes!

Furthermore, Green Key is participating with an advent quiz on Instagram, be sure to try the questions each day up until the 24th of December!

For more information regarding FEE visit: https://www.fee.global/.

Green Hotels in Qatar share their challenges, recommendations and pathways for a greener sector

Qatar Green Building Council aims to engage the community in a wide range of sustainability-oriented activities, and Green Key is suggested as a useful mechanism for developing a sustainable sector.

A range of workshops with the attendance of numerous hospitality staff, speakers and stockholders has been held, surveys were distributed and a report has been produced which noted current difficulties, recommendations and best practices advice. The report urges Qatar decision-makers to take solid actions for green change.

Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) is the Green Key national operator for Qatar, QGBC evaluates the dedication of tourism and hospitality organisations to their environmental and sustainable standards and actions. Green Key has been suggested as a useful mechanism for developing a sustainable sector.

“Hotels are encouraged to use industry-recognised certifications, tools, and resources, such as Green Key, to create and further this framework” - (QGBC)

The benefits of the Green Key Certificate include a step-by-step approach towards sustainability. The Certificate elevates the sustainability standards of an establishment and assures its customers of its commitment to green practices. The Certificate also acts as a motivating reward for the team involved in achieving the ecolabel.

Green Key certified Alwadi Hotel Doha - MGallery inspires visitors to reuse bed sheets and towels through their ‘Plant for the Planet’ scheme which reinvests the proceeds into planting trees. The staff at the hotel are also enabled to acquire ownership of the program, as they determine visitors which engage in the towel reuse is seen as a manageable yet impactful approach to helping the local community. To read the report click the following link: https://www.qatargbc.org/app/media/5435 

Furthermore, a Focus Day was held as part of Qatar Sustainability Week 2021 and the findings were published as ‘Resilience and adaptation to climate change-Green Hotels, Challenges and Pathways.’ This can be found at: https://www.qatargbc.org/outreach/qsw 

Green Key partners with Greener Guest to help businesses source ethical and sustainable hospitality supplies

Green Key partners with Greener Guest as they aim to bring together the worlds’ largest marketplace exclusively for ethical and sustainable hospitality supplies.

Greener Guest is an online store which supplies hospitality businesses with ethical and sustainable items and arms them with the information they need to transform the sustainability of their operations.

Next to their online shop, Greener Guest provides advice, tips and information regarding sustainable actions to reduce single-use plastic, whilst providing a variety of products with transparent descriptions. This provides a practical solution for hospitality organisations in order to be more conscious of the products they purchase whilst also being able to save time and money. Examples of informed decision-making include being aware of where materials and products are sourced from, how products and packaging can be appropriately disposed of and being aware of the rights of the workers in the supply chain. 

Greener Guest do not see themselves as solely an e-commerce platform for sustainable products, as they also consistently encourage their users to review their purchasing behaviour and to consider implementing more efficient processes instead of using products to prevent unnecessary waste. Additionally, they offer a knowledge hub with downloadable resources e.g. standard operating procedure templates which businesses can use to switch from single-use to reusable products.

Green Key is proud to partner with Greener Guest as we hope to implement sustainability into hospitality businesses together. Similarly Greener Guest states:

“Greener Guest are delighted to be partnering with Green Key and look forward to sharing our expertise and insight with members through a series of webinars and by offering special discounts on loads of great products across our site”.

For more information, please visit their website at: https://www.greenerguest.com/

Countryside establishment in Belgium continues their sustainable work and embraces the Green Key certification

Kasteelhoeve Wange in Belgium continues to pursue sustainability on receipt of the Green Key accreditation. Welcoming gatherings in groups for both companies and leisure groups on the farm, offering a unique experience in a rural setting.

Kasteelhoeve Wange is a farm that can be found at the end of a cobblestone road, enclosed with the tranquillity of meadows, orchards and animals visiting nearby. With the farm offering a warm welcome and a large outdoor and indoor space, it provides visitors with both an opportunity to be alone for peace and quiet, or, if preferred, to spend time together with others as the solid walls of the farm accommodation providing the perfect opportunity to bond with each other. Furthermore, Kasteelhoeve Wange has scope for various workplace gatherings such as team building, meetings, events or training. Numerous possibilities can arise due to the indoor or outdoor landscape, additionally with the option of an overnight stay.

Kasteelhoeve Wange priorities sustainability! On their website, they explain how sustainability is not a marketing term for them, but they carefully search for ways to reduce their impact and strain on the environment, individuals and animals. Their sustainable work has led them, to consistently receive the Green Key accreditation.

Kasteelhoeve Wange says: “The recognition we get for our sustainability efforts is a nice reward and empowers us to do even better. The National Jury awarded the Green Key Label to us for organising the accommodation for conferences and lodging (B&B) in a sustainable way. The Jury was very fond of the transition from a conventional farm into a sustainable one, and we see the Green Key as a passport towards recognition.”

Kasteelhoeve Wange in Belgium received the Green Key certification as well as won the most sustainable tourist accommodation in the world (2018 & 2019) Balliet Latour Price for environment & nature conservancy 2021.

Additionally, in 2018, founder and CEO of Kasteelhoeve, Philip Van Kelst, won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Professional of the Year 2017 award. The judges acknowledged: “Philip and Kasteelhoeve Wange have an open and transparent CSR policy, with a strong focus on inclusion. In addition, sustainability and care for the environment were some of the core values ​​from the start. This makes Philip an example for his sector!”

For more information on the establishment visit their website at: https://www.kasteelhoevewange.be.

FEE member organisation takes on Green Key programme in Japan

The Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies (JARTA), the new Green Key National Operator for Japan, is an organisation that is committed to delivering high-quality tourism products and services.

“Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies, JARTA, is thrilled to be a part of the FEE global family. As we are growing steadily with the members comprising travel agencies, tour operators, and other interested parties in the tourism industry, there is also an increase in demand to seek reliable and like-minded accommodation facilities that unite all of us under the name of responsible and sustainable tourism.” says Masaru Takayama, Green Key National Operator for Japan.

He adds: “We see huge opportunities in working with the Green Key programme as welcoming more responsible travellers is now the national agenda. In addition, Japan boasts of having 35,558 km of coastlines, the 6th longest in the world. We feel responsible to keep our beaches and marinas/ports clean as the oceans and seas have been supporting our diet for thousands of years. Should you plan to travel to Japan, do not hesitate to contact us because our members can offer a unique and responsible holiday that you have always been dreaming of.” says Masaru Takayama from JARTA.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, highlights: “We are very happy to have the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies as a FEE member organisation. Their work in the responsible tourism industry is important to us and makes JARTA a good fit as the entity responsible for the Green Key programme in Japan. We believe Japan is a remarkable country which needs to be protected and it is vital that the hospitality industry contributes to the responsible actions in Japan through Green Key.”

For more information about Green Key in Japan, please contact the Green Key National Operator, JARTA, Masaru Takayama via phone: +81(0)75-406-7700, e-mail: takayama@eco-tourism.jp or through an online form on their website: https://jarta.org/en/

Green Key and Historic Hotels of Europe cooperate to ensure high sustainability industry standards

The partnership between Green Key and Historic Hotels of Europe include a joint ambition of having high sustainability standards and protecting the heritage of each establishment.

The following interview is with Paula Ellis, Group General Manager of Twr y Felin Hotel, Penrhiw Priory and Roch Castle

Why did you decide to join Green Key for your hotels?

At Twr y Felin Hotel and our sister venues Roch Castle and Penrhiw Priory we are passionate about our environmental impact. We are located within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and feel strongly that we should support and promote the ethos that encompasses that. We wanted to ensure that the venues were as green as possible and that sustainability is a significant part of our business plan.

What did the achievement (Green Key award) mean for your establishments in terms of your work with sustainability? 

The award was a positive achievement for all of our team who had been involved in the process. Although some of the larger installations/changes had already been achieved at the time of opening, we regularly brainstormed to come up with new ideas for improvement, ensuring our sustainability is a team effort.

What would be your recommendations to other hotels (especially other HHE hotels) in relation to Green Key and the work with sustainability issues? 

We would suggest placing sustainability on the monthly agenda for discussion about how to improve the hotel. This will allow them to continually identify and improve their practices, which are not only beneficial to the environment but also something that many guests are now looking for in a venue.