What we do

Our vision

A prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes

Our mission

To accelerate the path to net positive hospitality through strategic industry leadership, collaborative action, harmonisation of metrics and regenerative solutions

Background

Our organisation uniquely represents how the hospitality industry is taking collective responsibility to ensure that destinations and communities are being supported and protected now and for future generations.

Our members represent over 7 million rooms globally, and include over 40 world-leading hotel companies and value chain partners, and over 50 supply chain and strategic partners, with a combined reach of over 50,000 properties.

We were founded in 1992 as the International Hotels Environment Initiative (IHEI) by a consortium of chief executives from ten global hotel companies as a result of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. From launch, we were part of the Prince’s Charities group, with HRH The Prince of Wales as president – first as a programme of International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and then in 2013 relocating to Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince’s Responsible Business Network.

We were previously known as International Tourism Partnership, which operated the Youth Career Initiative and Green Hotelier. As we grew, we became an independent charity and united our programmes under Sustainable Hospitality Alliance in 2020. Following this, in 2024, we rebranded to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, underlining our organisation’s global presence and commitment to addressing sustainability issues around the world.

Why we do this

Climate change is having a significant impact on lives and ecosystems globally, and decent work for all remains a leading issue. As the United Nations Sustainable Develop Goals (SDGs) have demonstrated, now is the time that nations, businesses and people need to be taking co-ordinated global action in order to address the major social and environmental issues that are impacting the world.

The hospitality industry has the power to have a lasting positive impact on lives, places and economies. Reaching into communities all over the world, over 200,000 hotels generate an annual revenue of over $550 billion for local economies and provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds.¹ But we need to ensure that we are all working towards a sustainable and inclusive future for our planet and its people.

As the industry, and the world, recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we are protecting those left vulnerable from exploitation, that new opportunities are reaching those who need them the most, and that we build back stronger and more sustainable.