TripAdvisor launches GreenLeaders programme to reward eco-friendly accommodation

TripAdvisor has launched the GreenLeaders programme in Europe to help travellers around the world to plan environmentally greener trips.

TripAdvisor has launched the GreenLeaders programme in Europe to help travellers around the world to plan environmentally greener trips.

The programme highlights hotels and B&Bs engaging in environmentally-friendly practices. Over 6,000 properties around the world have so far been awarded TripAdvisor GreenLeader status.

Developed in consultation with the Carbon Trust, the UK Green Building Council, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the International Tourism Partnership, qualifying accommodation is awarded TripAdvisor GreenLeader status based on the green practices the property has in place.

A survey carried out by TripAdvisor revealed that there is a demand for more green choices, with more than a quarter (26%) of participating European travellers actively making eco-friendly travel choices in the last 12 months, and a third (33%) planning to do so in the next 12 months.

The survey also revealed that nearly one in ten European travellers (9%) say they have chosen to stay at a particular hotel because of its green policies. However, nearly half (44%) say they feel that hotels don’t currently provide enough information about their sustainability practices.

Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor, said: “We know a lot of travellers in Europe want to be savvy about the eco-friendly choices they make on holiday but they don’t always know where to go to find that information.

“What makes TripAdvisor GreenLeaders so useful is that we are now providing travellers with an easy way to compare hotels’ green practices alongside the millions of reviews already on the site.”

Travellers are able to tailor their search on TripAdvisor for hotels participating in the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders programme, and view a detailed list of environmentally-friendly practices that they can expect at each location.

TripAdvisor’s community of travellers will also be invited to comment on a hotel’s green credentials following a stay at a participating property, and in the future their feedback will be displayed on the site.

The programme considers a property’s holistic approach to green practices and ranks them based on four levels of participation – Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum – which will be shown prominently on the property’s listing on the TripAdvisor site.

A comprehensive list of eco-friendly practices are evaluated, 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 has in place, the higher its TripAdvisor GreenLeaders level.