Making the Travel Industry More Sustainable

Making the Travel Industry More Sustainable

The travel industry stands at a crossroads: continue on a path of unchecked growth with mounting environmental and social costs — or pivot toward a more sustainable future that safeguards the very destinations travelers seek.

Embracing sustainable travel isn’t just ethical — it’s necessary for long-term viability.

Understanding Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism aims to balance environmental protection, cultural respect, and economic benefits. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), it’s about addressing the needs of visitors, industry, environment, and host communities — all while conserving biodiversity and heritage.

From Vision to Action: Initiatives Leading the Way

✳ Booking.com: Equipping Accommodation Providers for Sustainability

Booking.com partnered with ERM and UNWTO to launch a series of free online training modules aimed at helping hospitality providers adopt sustainable practices.

These MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) cover:

• Energy and water management
• Food waste and supply sourcing
• Local community support
• Long-term sustainability planning

The goal: empower properties to take measurable, local action.

✳ EarthCheck: Certifying Sustainable Destinations

EarthCheck provides a global benchmarking and certification program for the travel and tourism sector. It helps destinations and hospitality brands:

• Measure environmental and social impact
• Implement continuous improvement plans
• Increase credibility through third-party validation

This framework provides a clear path from ambition to accountability.

✳ Trip.com Group: Global ESG Leadership

Trip.com Group is actively working toward carbon neutrality by 2050. As a founding partner of the Travalyst Coalition, they’ve:

• Added carbon offset options for flights and rentals
• Enabled emissions insights for rail travel
• Partnered with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the UN Global Compact

They also fund social impact projects like childcare subsidies and hybrid work policies.

Practical Tips for More Sustainable Travel

Whether you’re a traveler, operator, or policy-maker — here are actionable ways to support sustainability:

1. Choose alternative destinations
   Reduce the strain on overcrowded areas by exploring emerging or under-traveled regions.
2. Embrace slow travel
   Spend more time in fewer places. You’ll reduce carbon impact and engage more deeply with local culture.
3. Use low-emission transport
   Opt for trains, buses, or carpooling whenever possible.
4. Reduce resource use
   Turn off AC, reduce laundry requests, and avoid single-use plastics.
5. Support local economies
   Eat at local restaurants, shop from artisans, and stay in locally owned accommodations.

See more ideas from Sustainable Travel International.

Conclusion

The travel industry has talked a lot about sustainability. But we’re now at the point where real tools, frameworks, and certifications exist — and travelers are paying attention.

Progress comes when education, data, and investment align with action. Whether you’re a travel brand, a business traveler, or a weekend explorer, the responsibility to travel more sustainably belongs to all of us.