TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders Program Helping Travelers Choose Sustainable Hotels

Hotels can reduce their environmental footprint as well as gain economic benefits when they pursue sustainable initiatives. In addition to enjoying a greater competitive advantage, guest loyalty, enhanced brand value and recognition, hotels stand to achieve direct financial savings when their costs of energy, water and waste disposal come down due to sustainability strategies.

TripAdvisor has introduced an innovative program called GreenLeaders to encourage hotels around the world to adopt sustainable business practices. The program provides travelers worldwide with a simple way to make greener travel choices, right at the point when they are making such decision. TripAdvisor issues green badges to hotels adopting sustainable practices in order to highlight their efforts. Over 8,000 hotels are already participating and earning green badges on the popular travel review website.

To receive a green badge, a hotel must show demonstrable commitment, which at the very minimum includes linen and bath towel reuse. Hotels around the world are adopting a wide variety of green policies and practices today. These may include direct guest experiences, such as an organic menu in the restaurant, or background efforts such as efficient lighting and grey water recycling.

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Vikas is a staff writer for the Sustainable Development news and editorial section on Justmeans. He is an MBA with 20 years of managerial and entrepreneurial experience and global travel. He is the author of "The Power of Money" (Scholars, 2003), a book that presents a revolutionary monetary economic theory on poverty alleviation in the developing world. Vikas is also the official writer for an international social project for developing nations "Decisions for Life" run in collaboration between the ILO, the University of Amsterdam and the Indian Institute of Management.