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Here comes the Badge for sustainable travel: it certifies (really) green stays

According to the latest market surveys, 81% of global travelers say they want to stay in a sustainable structure in the next year, 67% expect the sector to offer more in the coming months green options, while even 73% say they are more inclined to choose a specific accommodation if he knew this is implementing practices eco-friendly. It is in this trend – now fully consolidated – that it falls the latest found from Booking.com: the Badge for sustainable travel.

“Building a truly sustainable travel industry will require time, coordination and joint efforts, but progress is possible through continuous innovation, partner support and collaboration, ”he explains Marianne Gybels, Director of Sustainabilty of the famous digital platform. «With the Badge and the Sustainable Travel program, in fact, we recognize commitment to sustainability of a wider range of facilities worldwide, in a credible and transparent way for i consumers».

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“In addition to encouraging the structures to do their best for obtain the Badge», Adds Gybels,« we think it’s important to show that they exist various positions on the subject and that it is useful to show at what point there is a certain structure in his path towards sustainability. And show the practices applied by the incentive structure more informed choices, aware, regardless of what the goal is. Thus inspiring our partners even more to do the next step».

Basically, building on the standards already in place, Booking.com collaborated with industry experts to identify a number of practices of greater impact structures can implement in five key areas: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, support for local communities and nature protection. We therefore go from the elimination of disposable plastic toiletries the use of LED bulbs, passing through the use of renewable energy sources and investments in conservation projects.

It was then called into question Sustainalize, consulting firm in the sector, to evaluate the relative weight of such practices within a model that takes into account many factors, such as the location and size of the property. Through a series of calculations, therefore, a overall score, although – as he remembers Booking – «operating in a sustainable way takes on different meanings in different markets»(Eg reducing water consumption in a drought prone area has a major impact).

The structures they reach the required impact threshold (be it apartments, B & Bs, vacation rentals, hotels, resorts, and even tree houses), they get the first version the coveted Badge: initially it will be visible together with an overview of the measures for sustainability applied by the individual structures, while in the coming weeks it will also appear in Search Results together with filter «Sustainable Travel», to immediately direct travelers towards more choices green.

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In short, the mission of Booking.com – together with Travalyst Coalition of which he is a founding partner together with principe Harry – is to make the Badge (the first initiative of this kind in the sector) a measure universal and transparent to give information on the structures, recognizing them in a credible way eco-friendly efforts and actions. On the other hand, according to a new study just published by EY Parthenon, the hospitality industry produces 264 million of tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year.

Representing 10% of total annual emissions of the entire tourism sector. The hospitality sector, however, also has the opportunity to lead the change: although significant investments are required (768 billion euros) to reach the target net zero by 2050, research results show that many facilities have already implemented a series of measures to reduce CO2 emissions, achieving excellent results. And the innovative Badge of Booking.com it is there certification.

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