By Angela Green: Beyond Green launches Global Impact Report.
Beyond Green has announced the launch of its first Global Impact Report underscoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the effect of its member portfolio’s worldwide ESG initiatives.
Established by Preferred Travel Group in April 2021, Beyond Green unites sustainability leaders worldwide to transform the travel industry with each member property vetted according to more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with global sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In an era where environmental and social awareness significantly influences travellers’ decisions on destinations, accommodations, and businesses to support, the report serves as an educational tool, making sustainability accessible to the everyday traveller while going beyond the environmental aspect.
Beyond Green’s core mission of representing hotels that demonstrate sustainability leadership across the three key pillars of Nature, Culture, and Community ensures travellers connect with vetted accommodations that actively contribute to the well-being of the places and communities they explore.
Commenting on the report, Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Travel Group said: “I am thrilled to share Beyond Green’s first Global Impact Report, these results shine a light on the amazing work our members do across the three key pillars of sustainable tourism, Nature, Community, and Culture, demonstrating how critical this topic is and why we are passionate and committed stewards of this philosophy. Together, we can harness the power of travel to be a force for good, leaving behind a legacy for generations of travellers to come.”
Key report highlights include:
Dedicated Sustainability Positions: Over 90% of Beyond Green members have a dedicated Sustainability Manager or equivalent position or team, steering the evolution and on-site implementation of member’s sustainability programmes.
Reducing and Eliminating Single-Use Plastics: 100% of Beyond Green members have eliminated single-use plastic water bottles from their operations. Additional efforts to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics include utilising biodegradable packaging and employing more sustainable materials throughout hotel operations, such as re-usable room keys made with wood or bamboo.
Renewable Energy: Nearly 70% of Beyond Green members utilise renewable energy sources, including solar panels, wind turbines, and other sources such as biomass derived from certified wood pellets.
Endangered Species Protection: Beyond Green members actively contribute to the protection of over 24 animal species and 1 plant species registered on either the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List or the US Endangered Species list.
Philanthropy & Donations: Through direct financial, in-kind, and guest donations, Beyond Green members donated a total of $3,138,449 during 2021-2022, supporting local communities, as well as natural and cultural initiatives.
Protecting Cultural Heritage: Properties authentically share local cultural heritage with guests through a distinct sense of place that reflects the traditional architecture and regional décor, culinary programmes, and immersive guest experiences that explore local history, folklore, and art.
Community, Social and Economic Well-Being: Members actively support local communities, by hiring locally, partnering with local businesses, artists, and artisans, and contributing to micro-enterprise projects, education, health, and other community development priorities.
All statistics used in the report are based on quantitative and qualitative data derived from a comprehensive digital sustainability survey conducted with Beyond Green member hotels, featuring 67 questions that reflect their efforts and impact between January 2021 and December 2022. A total of 26 Beyond Green members completed the survey in full, and the report was written and co-developed by Beyond Green Travel, a leading sustainable tourism consultancy and sister company of Beyond Green within Preferred Travel Group.
Read the full report here.
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