Participating hotel and travel brands: Certified organizations include the Small-Ship Expedition Company ponent And a large majority of the property in the Raffles Hotel and Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts Collections. Other hotels include Panama Naira Bocas del Toro, Brach Parishand of Vietnam Zannier Hotels is Bao San.
Green Key Global
Founded in 1994 by environmentally minded hoteliers, Green Key Global It is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizes environmental performance, such as land use, water conservation, indoor air quality, and infrastructure development. It is also particularly suited to properties in North America. This requires hotels to be fully assessed and audited upon registration, reassessed in the second year of membership and every third year thereafter. During this process, properties must provide documentation to support their sustainability claims, ensuring transparency and accuracy in responses.
Participating Hotels: Proven properties included Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Savoy in London and Florida Marquesa Hotel in Key West.
Reincarnation Journey
Reincarnation Journey Certifies hotels with a deep commitment to sustainability, continuous improvement, environmental stewardship, and community and economic resilience. Members must commit to annual data collection to maintain their status; They present key data related to the percentage of local employees or the percentage of energy generated from clean sources. They must also attend virtual and on-site retreats focused on sustainability and participate in a training program that explores positive feedback loops and strategies for effective growth management.
Participating Hotels: The collective includes notable hotels such as Cambodia Song sa private islandof Malaysia Datai Langkawiand African bush camps.
5 questions to ask when evaluating a travel company’s eco-impact
Don’t have certification with the hotel, destination or travel brand you’re interested in? No problem. These are five essential questions you can ask to better understand their sustainability commitments, courtesy of Maudie Tomlinson, director of the award-winning non-profit organization. Conscious Travel Foundationwhich champions positive tourism practices while supporting global grassroots philanthropic projects. (You can also explore their full list of awareness questions here.)
Do you have official certification?
Tomlinson says, “When not all certifications are valued equally—and there are hundreds out there—it’s a good indicator that a company is taking action. [if they do have a certification or are pursuing it].”
How do you measure your sustainability impact?
“Data helps you separate fact from fiction and cut through the greenwashing,” says Tomlinson. “Ask yourself: Are the hotel’s efforts merely stated in glossy marketing terms, or is there quantitative data to support it? Look for data on their carbon footprint, local employment, or the percentage of their profits going to local organizations.
Do you have or follow a responsible wildlife policy? Do you share etiquette guidelines for how guests and staff should behave around wildlife?
“Here, we’re looking to ensure that a hotel’s wildlife policy is not just a tick-box exercise, but a carefully considered initiative,” says Tomlinson. “If you’re going on safari, for example, ask the hotel about their protocol for wildlife viewing and photo etiquette.”
How does the business support the local community?
“Look for initiatives from the local community that go beyond employment at all levels, and support education, healthcare, welfare and cultural preservation,” she says.
Do you have an incorporation statement, and where can I find it?
“An inclusion or accessibility statement shows a commitment to include people with disabilities and marginalized identities, helping you choose an experience that aligns with your values,” says Tomlinson.