Our work
Working with our members we agreed the priority areas of action for the hospitality industry to collaborate to make the most impact.
Our strategy
Our commitment to creating a prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back to the destination more than it takes.
Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality
Navigate your journey to a sustainable and responsible future, through our new digital Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.
Areas of action
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we commit to drive continued action in four areas:
Human rights
Every business, wherever they operate, has a corporate responsibility to respect human rights. We commit to raise awareness of human rights risks, embed human rights into corporate governance, and address risks arising in the labour supply chain and during construction.
Youth employment
Over 1 in 5 young people in the world are not in education, employment or training (ILO). We commit to give young people, especially those at risk of poverty and exploitation, the opportunity to build a better future through employability programmes.
Climate action
The hotel industry must reduce its absolute carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 to ensure that growth in the sector is sustainable. We commit to embrace science-based targets and encourage the wider industry to join in reducing emissions at scale.
Water stewardship
Countries forecast with the highest risk of water shortages are among those with the greatest tourism growth. We commit to embed water stewardship programmes to identify ways to address water scarcity, improve water-use efficiency and reduce the number of people affected by lack of water.
Collaborating for a more sustainable future
In 2017, supported by our members, we agreed our four areas of action where, by working together, we can achieve more to address the social and environmental issues that affect the world around us.
We continue to work with our members, and other industry stakeholders, to assess the key global challenges affecting our planet and its people. This enables us to prioritise our activities and programmes based on the effects and prevalence of the issues, and identify where we can collectively deliver the most positive impact.
We aligned our areas of action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure that the hospitality industry is making a practical contribution towards achieving these shared global goals.
News stories
2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens for entry
Enter the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025! Join us at Terra, Expo City Dubai, to celebrate impactful change in sustainable tourism.
Climate change disproportionately affects ethnic minorities and working-class people, so why don’t they have a seat at the table?
Young leader, Tia Chauhan explores why diversity is essential in the fight against climate change - and how the hospitality industry can lead the way.
Stories from the Awards: Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Finance Initiatives
From carbon neutral resorts to ecosystem restoration and community support - Soneva is a shining example of what it means give back more than you…