(TAN): Jin Jiang International (Holdings), including its affiliates Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group, and other leading groups with 25,000 hotels total, have launched an initiative to set a common definition of hotel sustainability to drive responsible travel & tourism, Radisson Hotel Group said in a statement.
In a cooperation between the World Travel & Tourism Council, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and leading hotel companies, in consultation with distribution partners and key Tourism & Travel stakeholders, the hotel industry celebrates a responsible return to business with an initiative to raise the global basic level of hotel sustainability in a clear and transparent manner for all travellers and stakeholders.
The Basic Sustainability framework will critically deliver on a common starting point for hotel sustainability accessible to all hotel actors worldwide– whether they are part of large international Group or independents. Providing this common understanding for all hotels worldwide with actions that have a positive impact on planet and people will drive real change by stimulating the demand for responsible travel.
[ALSO READ: Maldives campaigns to attract more Indian tourists]
In the coming months, the hotel groups joint in this initiative, will work in close alignment with the WTTC, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and key stakeholders, on finalizing the essential sustainability actions with demonstrable positive impact, and collaborate to share tools and best practices with each other and the wider industry to ensure all hotels start on a pathway towards the targets of the COP 21 Paris Accord.
The sustainability basic framework is aligned with main aspirations such as the UNWTO Glasgow Declaration and the UNSDG’s decade of action.
Current partner groups include leading hotel companies such as Accor, Barceló Hotel Group, Huazhu including their affiliate Deutsche Hospitality, Indian Hotels Company Limited, Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co., Ltd. including their affiliates Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International, Minor Hotels including NH Hotel Group.
[ALSO READ: Liquid restaurant Vertex at Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata unveils new menu]
The Basic Sustainability framework has now entered the development phase and will be launched in March 2022.
“While Accor is actively working towards achieving carbon neutrality in line with its science based targets, we welcome the Basic Sustainability Framework initiative. We believe that this framework is a useful step towards ambitious sustainable goals and practices for the hospitality industry,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor.
“We live in an era of transformation today. Our world is changing at an unprecedented pace with the rise of new technologies, growing environmental concerns and a renewed, collaborative understanding of economic and social value. We are committed to create shared value for all our stakeholders, communities, and the planet. It is our pleasure to partner with the Basic Sustainability framework on this journey,” said Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO of the Indian Hotels Company Limited – IHCL.
[ALSO READ: British Airways continues to upgrade business class seat across Boeing 777 fleet]
“After the pandemic, we are pleased to see that the hotel sector is taking a coordinated and non-competitive way forward to facilitate a true and effective response to the climate change challenge we face. The Basic Sustainability framework is a step-change that will help every hotel to get started on their sustainability journey faster. This will move us at Radisson Hotel Group, together with our owners Jin Jiang International, and the whole industry closer towards the ultimate target of Net Zero and, at the same time responds to our clients’ demand for sustainable travel options that are easy to understand,” said Federico J. González , CEO of Radisson Hotel Group.
