India, June 25 -- The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its Hotel Sustainability Basics programme will now transition to an independent third-party certification scheme, aligned with EU requirements and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Accreditation Framework.

Credible Assurance:

The certification introduces independent verification, ensuring transparency and credibility for hotels demonstrating sustainability performance.

Global Adoption:

Since its launch in 2022, more than 8,000 hotels across 85 countries have adopted the framework.

Core Standards:

The Basics framework covers 12 practical actions including:

- Energy and water efficiency.

- Waste reduction.

- Emissions management.

- Support for local communities.

- Protection of nature.

Regulatory Alignment:

The enhanced certification responds to the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for Green Transition (Directive (EU) 2024/825), which sets stricter requirements for environmental claims.

No Immediate Action Required:

Hotels already participating will continue seamlessly, with WTTC and partners like SGS providing guidance during the transition.

Next Stage - Basics Plus:

Later this year, WTTC will launch Basics Plus, endorsed by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA), offering hotels a roadmap toward Net Positive Hospitality.

Leadership Voices:

- Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC: "By strengthening the programme through independent certification, we are giving hotels a globally recognised framework that reflects evolving regulatory expectations while building greater trust and confidence in sustainability claims."

- Randy Durband, CEO, GSTC: "This marks an important moment for the hospitality industry, strengthening alignment around credible and consistent approaches to hotel sustainability."

Industry Support:

The initiative has backing from governments, destinations, hotel groups, and stakeholders, including WSHA, Jin Jiang, Radisson Hotel Group, and HBX Group.

Impact:

The transition establishes a clear, credible framework for sustainability, reinforcing consumer trust and positioning the hospitality sector for long-term global credibility.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Travel Media.