An Insight into Responsible Tourism
Sustainable travel minimizes its negative environmental and social impacts and supports local communities. It is about making positive choices for the Earth and its ecosystem.
As the world gradually becomes more conscious of its environmental impact, sustainable travel has gained significant traction. Sustainable travel, also known as eco-friendly or responsible travel, is a way of exploring the world while minimizing our impact on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage.
In practical terms, sustainable travel involves conscious choices that reduce negative impacts during our journeys. These choices can range from using public transport and supporting local businesses to practising responsible waste management and respecting local customs
In this blog post, we’ll explore some initiatives by corporates (e.g., Bookig.com) to standardize sustainability travel by providing badges at the different sustainability levels: level 1,level 2, and level 3. Now, For more authentication and authority, a Third-Party certification program is now available.
It considers economic, social, and environmental factors to create a positive balance for all stakeholders involved—visitors, the travel industry, the environment, and host communities.
Acomparative study of Sustainable and Unsustainable Travel:
Ask Yourself certain Questions before you plan a travel:
- Environmental Awareness: At the location you are travelling, how important is living a sustainable lifestyle for most people?
- Are there any particular eco-friendly practices that are especially common here?
- Resource Efficiency: How do Local residents approach their resource consumption?
- Are there any conservation efforts or initiatives regarding water, energy, or waste that you’ve noticed?
- Getting Around Locally: What is the main mode of transportation for most people? Are there any interesting or unique ways people get around the city? Is there a growing trend towards sustainable transportation options? Can You use a sustainable mode of transport at your travelling location
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Level 1:
What is Sustainability Travel Level 1
The new levels of badges that are being offered for Travel Sustainable are as follows:
The Level 1 badge –
This brand new level 1 designation to earn this Travel Sustainable badge indicates that the hotel has implemented sustainable practices that positively impact the environment. The level 1 badge will show on a single leaf and include a complete list of all the practices put into place.
At its core, Level 1 is where properties begin their journey towards sustainability. It’s the first step to incorporate eco-friendly practices into their operations. During this stage, properties focus on implementing measures that have significant positive environmental impacts. Properties at this level may display a single-leaf symbol to show their initial efforts in sustainability.
The criteria for Level 1 status include various practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, saving water, and minimizing waste. For example, properties might switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, install water-saving fixtures, or set up comprehensive recycling programs. These basic steps are essential as they lay the foundation for more advanced sustainability initiatives.
Climate change has become one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The travel industry is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
To protect our planet, we must find ways to travel sustainably.
There is a growing movement for sustainable travel that is gaining popularity. The availability of much information has made people more sensitive to this pressing issue.
Sustainable travel is about travelling in a way that is environmentally friendly and respectful of local traditions and cultures. There are many ways to travel sustainably. You can stay in eco-friendly accommodations, eat local food, and use public transportation. You can also consider the carbon footprint of your travel plans. For example, you may want to choose to fly less or offset your carbon emissions. If you’re interested in sustainable travel, many resources are available to help you plan your trip. You can find eco-friendly accommodations, flights, and tour operators. You can also research sustainable travel destinations that are friendly to visitors.
In eco-friendly travel, sustainable travel is a crucial concept guiding the tourism industry towards a more environmentally friendly future. This article explores sustainable travel and breaks it down into three levels—Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3—each representing a higher level of commitment to protecting the environment and supporting local communities.
The Level 2 badge
Hotels that have received an upgraded version, Level 2, of the Travel Sustainable badge have made significant investments and efforts to implement sustainable practices. The badge for Level 2 will soon be displayed with two leaves and an extensive list of the practices implemented.
Moving on to Level 2 means that properties are firmly committed to sustainable practices. Properties that reach this level have shown significant investments in eco-friendly operations. The presence of two leaves symbolizes their increased dedication to sustainability.
At this stage, properties are expected to have a broader positive impact on the environment and local communities. This could involve sourcing local products to support the economy or participating in community-led conservation projects. The goal is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the property and its surroundings, promoting a culture of respect and shared benefits.
The Level 3 badge
Level 3 represents the highest level within non-certified sustainable travel. It’s for properties that have made significant progress in their
The Level 3 Sustainable badge is for travel. The sustainable badge is only available to hotels with substantial investments and attempts to implement effective sustainability practices but has not received an official third-party certification. It is the badge at Level 3. The badge will show in three leaflets and come with the complete list of methods put into place.
Level 3 represents the highest level within non-certified sustainable travel. It’s for properties that have made significant progress in their sustainable practices but have not yet obtained an official certification from a third-party organization. The three leaves symbolize the substantial efforts and investments towards a more sustainable future.
Properties at this level often go above and beyond what is expected, using innovative strategies and advanced technologies to minimize their environmental impact. They may also actively advocate for sustainability within the tourism industry, setting examples for others to follow.
THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION:
Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) pressured Booking.com to remove its “Travel Sustainable” program (started in 2021), which scored accommodations based on its sustainability efforts.
ACM objected to the Travel Sustainable program scoring system, which gave properties a score between 1 and 3+ depending on their efforts. The organization called the “presentation of this program to be misleading.”
“The claim Travel Sustainable may wrongly give the impression that travelling is sustainable,” ACM said. “Additionally, it was not sufficiently clear to what aspects the claim refers, which may result in a distorted impression of the actual sustainability efforts of accommodations.”(source phocuswire)
Booking.com, on 25th March 2024, has suggested Third-Party Certification transparency and avoiding distortion in actual sustainability efforts.
The Four benefits of certification
1. It ensures your guests that your claims about sustainability are believable
Most travellers surveyed by Booking.com felt more confident about staying at a specific hotel when they knew it was equipped with a sustainability certification. An acknowledged third-party certification lends legitimacy to sustainability efforts. It ensures that travellers will stay in a place that integrates the most sustainable practices in terms of environmental and social aspects in its daily operations.
2. It will allow you to identify areas of your plan that aren’t being met.
Certification requirements can help you identify the most critical improvements or address issues you haven’t considered until now. You’ll know you’re on the correct course when you’re certified.
3. The properties that are certified have a higher chance of having more positive impacts on the natural environment
A study conducted by TUI and in collaboration with the UN Environment Program evaluated the social and environmental advantages of sustainability certifications across 335 hotels. They found that–compared to the non-certified properties–certified properties achieved:
About 10% lower CO2 emissions per guest per night
About 24% lower waste volume per guest night
About 15% less usage of water per night for guests
In general, there are more excellent guest satisfaction scores.
4. It will make your team feel more engaged.
All your employees must cooperate to meet the required standards to maintain an eco-certification. This will give your employees the same goal and purpose to pursue together.
How do I get certified?
Many different bodies provide certifications worldwide. They vary from broad and more general certification programs to more customized ones that focus on sustainability, construction efficiency, or waste management.
Each certification body determines its fees. Some bodies offer free certification, usually when offered by a government department. Some bodies provide discounted rates for smaller buildings or multiple properties within an identical group. The process of certification will differ depending on the certification organization you choose to partner with.
Certified Properties , Certification agencies, and other initiatives
there is also a prestigious category for properties that have successfully obtained third-party certification. This recognition is the highest honor regarding sustainability, demonstrating a property’s unwavering dedication to environmental excellence and social responsibility. Certified properties are praised for their extensive commitments and investments, having met the strict criteria of over 40 reputable eco-labels and certifications.
This certification is considered proof that these properties have undergone thorough assessments and audits by independent organizations to ensure their compliance with sustainable practices. It gives travellers confidence to choose accommodations prioritising the planet’s and local communities’ well-being.
Travalyst.org is a not-for-profit organization that Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex founded. It’s a global coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology, aiming to bring sustainability information to the mainstream to help people make better travel choices. Travalyst is working to increase access to clear, consistent, and credible sustainability information, starting with their partners’ platforms
to summarize:
Sustainable travel is an ever-evolving concept, with more properties striving to be environmentally responsible and socially conscious. By understanding the different levels of sustainable travel or by choosing certified properties travellers can make informed choices that align with their values and contribute to a greener future for all.
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