WTTC and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance unite for environmental push

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance are joining forces to help the hospitality industry reduce its environmental impact.

The pair have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing both organizations to work more closely together. 

The organizations have pledged to bring a united voice when it comes to the hospitality industry's sustainable future as well as cooperate on research projects around sustainability innovation.

“The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has been a valuable supporter of our Hotel Sustainability Basics, which are the first step in the ladder to advance sustainability in the industry. Although the hospitality industry has transformed dramatically in recent years, we recognize that there is still more that we can do together,” says Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC.

“Our collective efforts will enable the hospitality industry to continue moving towards a greater positive impact through this new partnership.”

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, adds: “This partnership combines the Alliance’s sector-specific expertise with WTTC’s scale and reach to enable both our organizations to enhance collective impact across the industry and drive progress further towards net positive hospitality."

Last year, WTTC urged the travel industry to be more ambitious in its carbon reduction targets.

The organization laid out recommendations in its Net Zero Roadmap report, which it carried out in partnership with Accenture and the U.N. Environment Program.

A further study published by Booking.com and EY Parthenon around the same time estimates that the accommodation segment will have to invest €768 billion to achieve net zero by 2050.