Framework and Selection Criteria for Travel Sustainable Property Badges

This article outlines the steps to apply for a badge, detailing the application process. It also describes the criteria for badge selection, highlighting sustainable practices that can earn a property a Travel Sustainable badge and the certifications recognized by the program.

Understanding the Badge Application Process

The property outlines its sustainable practices

Property management utilizes the extranet to report the sustainable practices they are implementing.

An evaluation is carried out

Our sister brand, Booking Holdings, evaluates the submitted practices of the property against their independently validated criteria model, which considers geographic factors related to accessibility and the costs of implementing specific practices. From this evaluation, the model generates an overall impact score for the property, determining its eligibility for a badge.

The property receives notification

Property management will get an email regarding the assessment result within 24 hours of submitting their practices.

There are two potential outcomes

Badge awarded: If the impact score meets the threshold, the property will earn the badge, which will be automatically added to its listing within 48 hours.

Guidance and resources: If the impact score falls short, the property will receive guidance and resources for implementing additional sustainable practices. The more practices the property adopts, the higher its score, bringing it closer to earning the new badge.

Eligible sustainable practices

To qualify for a Travel Sustainable badge, the property must engage in a substantial number of initiatives across the following categories:

Water: Simple actions, such as reducing towel washing frequency, can lead to significant energy and water savings.

Practices include:

• Avoidance of single-use plastic miniature bottles for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Option for towel reuse
• Choice to decline daily room cleaning
• Installation of water-efficient toilets
• Use of water-saving showers

Waste: Providing recycling options and minimizing plastic and food waste can create a substantial impact.

Practices include:

• Avoidance of single-use plastic straws
• Avoidance of single-use plastic cups
• Avoidance of single-use plastic water bottles
• Avoidance of single-use plastic beverage bottles
• Avoidance of single-use plastic cutlery and plates
• Avoidance of single-use plastic stirrers
• Recycling bins provided for guests and active recycling of waste
• Efforts made to minimize food waste
• Provision of a water cooler or dispenser

Nature: Honor local wildlife and cultivate the accommodation's green areas.

Practices include:

• Bicycle rentals available
• Wild (non-domesticated) animals are neither displayed nor interacted with while in captivity, nor harvested, consumed, or sold
• Green spaces, such as gardens or rooftop gardens, maintained on the property
• Most food served is organic

Energy and Greenhouse Gases: Reduce operational emissions by adopting renewable energy solutions.

Practices include:

• Use of key cards or motion-sensor controls for electricity
• Most food served at the property is sourced locally
• The majority of lighting throughout the property is energy-efficient LED
• All windows are double-glazed
• A portion of their carbon footprint is offset
• Entire property runs on 100% renewable electricity

Destination and Community: Support local small businesses, such as tour guides and eateries.

Practices include:

• Reinvesting a percentage of revenue into community or sustainability initiatives
• Offering tours and activities organized by local guides and businesses
• Providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work
• Sharing information with guests about local ecosystems, heritage, culture, and visitor etiquette

Eligible Certifications

To qualify for a Travel Sustainable badge, the property must have been certified through the Travel Sustainable program or by one of the following accrediting bodies:

• Green Tourism
• EU Ecolabel
• Green Seal
• Nordic Swan Ecolabel
• Green Hospitality Ecolabel
• Ibex Fairstay
• Fair Trade Tourism
• LEED
• Edge
• All certifications recognized or accredited by the GSTC

For further details about the Travel Sustainable program, the advantages of holding a badge, and the application process, please click here.