Beyond Green, a global portfolio of sustainable hotels, launches its first Global Impact Report underscoring the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the effect of its member portfolio’s worldwide ESG initiatives. The report, available online at www.staybeyondgreen.com/GIR, uses data resulting from a Beyond Green member sustainability survey to demonstrate the power of sustainable tourism.
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 travelers' decisions on destinations, accommodations and businesses to support, the report serves as an educational tool, making sustainability accessible to the everyday traveler 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 travelers connect with vetted accommodations that actively contribute to the well-being of the places and communities they explore.
“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," Preferred Travel Group CEO Lindsey Ueberroth said in a statement. "Together, we can harness the power of travel to be a force for good, leaving behind a legacy for generations of travelers to come.”
Key report highlights include:
- Dedicated sustainability positions: Over 90 percent 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 programs.
- Reducing and eliminating single-use plastics: 100 percent of Beyond Green members have eliminated single-use plastic water bottles from their operations. Additional efforts to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics include utilizing biodegradable packaging and employing more sustainable materials throughout hotel operations, such as reusable room keys made with wood or bamboo.
- Renewable energy: Nearly 70 percent of Beyond Green members use 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 one plant species registered on either the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List or the U.S. Endangered Species list.
- Philanthropy and donations: Through direct financial, in-kind and guest donations, Beyond Green members donated a total of $3,138,449 during 2021-22, 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 programs 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.