TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel website, has announced plans to extend its successful TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ programme into Europe for the first time. Developed in consultation with the Carbon Trust, the UK Green Building Council, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the International Tourism Partnership, the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders programme aims to help travellers around the world plan greener trips by highlighting hotels and B&Bs engaging in environmentally-friendly practices.
The programme, which up until now was offered only in the U.S., awards qualifying hotels and B&Bs with TripAdvisor GreenLeaders status, based on the green practices the property has in place – with properties tiered between Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards. Each award will be shown prominently on the property’s listing on TripAdvisor.
For the first time, hotels and B&Bs in 19 markets, including UK & Ireland, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, are able to apply for TripAdvisor GreenLeaders status.
TripAdvisor GreenLeaders first launched in the U.S. in April 2013, and has since awarded over 3,700 U.S. accommodations the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders status, making it the largest green hotels programme of its kind in North America.
Holistic set of environmental criteria
Eligible businesses can apply now at no cost, by going to green.tripadvisor.co.uk. Each application will then be assessed against a holistic set of environmental criteria – including practices ranging from linen and towel re-use, recycling and composting, through to solar panels, electric car charging stations and green roofing. The more green practices a hotel or B&B has in place, the higher the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders level it can achieve.
Marriott, Hilton, Red Carnation and Macdonald Hotels to participate
In the UK, a number of hotel chains have already agreed to participate in the programme, including Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, Red Carnation Hotels and Macdonald Hotels.
Travellers place importance on eco-friendly practices
According to a recent TripBarometer® traveller survey¹ by TripAdvisor, 81 percent of travellers place importance on properties implementing eco-friendly practices, and 85 percent of UK hoteliers indicate that they currently have green practices in place.
“With so many travellers placing an importance on the eco-friendly practices of the places they visit, hotel and B&B owners stand to gain a real competitive edge by promoting their environmentally friendly practices,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor. “Our TripAdvisor GreenLeaders programme will enable businesses managing their environmental footprint to highlight their commitment to millions of travellers around the world, at no expense to their business.”
John Alker, director of policy and communications at UK Green Building Council, said:
“For the hotel and leisure sector, going green is not only the right thing to do, it’s just good business. Green should be viewed as another aspect of quality. The GreenLeaders programme will help consumers – and indeed investors – understand who is taking this seriously.”
Eligible businesses interested in applying for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders programme can visit green.tripadvisor.co.uk for more information.