Do you want to approach your travels in a more conscious, sustainable, and responsible way?
Using a global, first-of-its-kind and independently validated recognition programme, Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge helps eco-conscious travellers discover properties with sustainable practices.
They’ve collaborated with industry experts to identify a set of the most impactful practices for a property to consider in five key areas: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, supporting local communities and protecting nature.
This foundational framework is further broken down into 32 specific sustainability measures or practices that properties can implement, including eliminating single-use plastic toiletries, switching to LED light fixtures to running on 100% renewable energy sources, or investing a percentage of profits into local community and conservation projects.
“If done with respect for local communities, environments and biodiversity, travel can broaden horizons, reduce barriers and bring people closer together. We aim to promote a more sustainable travel industry, so we can collectively preserve a world worth experiencing.”
Look for the green Travel Sustainable badge on properties or filters using the search function.
The certifications have a new level system to help you identify the sustainable practices the hotels have implemented and what areas they’re working on improving.
Recently introduced to Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable programme, the levels have been designed to more clearly demonstrate a broader spectrum of where different properties are at on their sustainability journeys and the specific measures they’re implementing.
- Level 1 is an entry-level designation that indicates that a property has implemented some impactful sustainability practices.
- The Level 2 badge shows the property has made considerable investments and efforts to implement impactful sustainability practices.
- And the Level 3 Travel Sustainable badge is awarded to properties that have made significant investments and efforts to implement impactful sustainability practices but have not yet achieved an official third-party certification.
“We believe in making sustainable travel choices easier for everyone.”
So far, I’ve used the badge to book this incredible eco stay in Far North Queensland – Thala Beach Nature Reserve, a former sugar cane farm. The owners have restored 145 acres of cleared land into a pristine rainforest now teeming with native flora and fauna. And Bisma Eight, a carbon-neutral villa in Ubud with an on-site veggie garden and water refill stations in the rooms.
It’s more considered travel that helps protect the planet and support local communities and cultures to ensure we can enjoy conscious experiences that don’t cost the earth.
Kira Simpson
Kira Simpson is an environmentalist and sustainability expert. She started The Green Hub as a blog in 2015, which has since grown to become one of Australia’s largest education sites dedicated to helping people live a more sustainable lifestyle.you might also be interested in
