TripAdvisor expands green hotel guide to Europe
After launching in the US last year, TripAdvisor has expanded its GreenLeaders scheme to Europe; the guide was designed in consultation with the United Nations Environment Programme.
Eligible properties that qualify as a GreenLeader in the industry are identified by a leaf and awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum award, Relaxnews reports.
Properties are assessed against a set of criteria that includes everything from the re-use of linens and towels, recycling, and composting to solar panels and electric car charging stations.
The expansion is in response to growing interest among travelers who've expressed a desire to reduce their carbon footprint.
According to the results of a survey that polled more than 14,025 TripAdvisor users in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, more than a quarter (26 percent) of travelers said they considered the environment when booking their accommodation in the last 12 months.
When asked if environmentally friendly factors would play a role in booking reservations over the next 12 months, that figure spiked 33 percent.
Since March of this year, TripAdvisor has awarded 2,000 new properties across Europe with a GreenLeaders designation, including properties owned by international chains like Accor Hotels, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Club Med in France.
The US counts 4,300 GreenLeader properties.
Expedia also has a green search option.
