The Hotel Industry Announces Global Commitment to Sustainability

In the hotel industry’s first ever global commitment to sustainability, ITP will be focusing on the four major goals of reducing carbon emissions, fighting water shortages, supporting youth employment and raising awareness of human rights.

The industry-wide sustainability commitment is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable development goals, which aligned 25 countries in an effort to end poverty and fight climate change—among other things—within the next 15 years.

“ITP believes that the hotel industry can be a force for good and make a positive contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and to the COP21 climate agreements,” said Wolfgang M. Neumann, ITP Governing Council Chair, in a press statement.

“Our vision for 2030 is for sustainable growth and a fairer future for all. We understand that bigger impacts can be achieved faster through the industry working together at scale; for this reason we invite other hotel companies to join with us in our commitment to these four critical goals.”

ITP’s sustainability commitment calls on other hotel brands to join the effort to promote sustainable action within the industry, such as improving water-use efficiency and addressing worker risks that arise during hotel construction.

“This cross-industry alignment to a single set of goals is a fantastic achievement for the International Tourism Partnership,” added Fran Hughes, ITP Director. “It is also a reflection of the increasing importance that the hospitality industry attaches to sustainability issues.”

The ITP’s announcement reflects a larger rallying call within the travel industry to push aside competition and use resources and influence on hand to ignite positive, global change.