To champion sustainable tourism, Preferred Hotel Group has launched its Beyond Green portfolio of leading eco-friendly hotels, lodges and resorts. Rose Dykins reports

Preferred Hotel Group has founded Beyond Green – a collection of hotels, resorts and lodges that show sustainable tourism leadership – as part of its aim to transform travel into a force for good.

The idea is for Beyond Green to be a platform for forward-thinking properties from around the world that are leading the way with their planet and people-friendly actions. Each member will have shown a proven commitment to delivering on three pillars of sustainable tourism (after a vigorous vetting process).

These are: implementing environmentally friendly practices that go “beyond the basics”; protecting natural and cultural heritage; and contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of local communities.

&Beyond Bateleur Camp Beyond GreenMembers must also show progress in meeting more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with global sustainable tourism standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Beyond Green has 24 founding members from more than 15 countries. The membership will improve their visibility, as the entire portfolio of properties will be featured on the Beyond Green website.

Blancaneaux Lodge Beyond GreenEach Beyond Green property will also receive support from Preferred Hotel Group with their marketing, sales, branding, distribution, global connectivity and their sustainability solutions. They will also be invited to participate in I Prefer Hotel Rewards – the world’s largest international points-based loyalty programme for independent hotels.

Among the founding members are AndBeyond Bateleur Camp (Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya), Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate Lodge in Rwanda, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa (Bora Bora, French Polynesia), and Blancaneaux Lodge (Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize). Travellers can make a booking at any Beyond Green property by emailing b[email protected].

IHG Bora Bora Resort &Thalasso Spa Beyond Green“Never before has there been a greater need to promote a kinder and gentler way to explore our beautiful, yet fragile planet,” says Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group. “Driven by our brand promise, Believe in Travel, which guides every decision we make as a company, we believe that now is the time to go big and be bold as we look to the future of travel.”

Preferred Hotel Group has launched Beyond Green through acquiring Beyond Green Travel in February 2020, which was foundered by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ.

“While there may be a tendency to think of sustainability as just the latest travel buzzword, its roots are long and deep,” says Christ. “What we are witnessing is an evolution of travel, not a passing trend.

“Sustainable tourism is not about giving something up, it is about gaining something more – a great vacation that it is also a force for good.”

Globetrender recently took part in Regenerative Shift – a webinar series hosted by Regenerative Travel – and joined a panel of experts to discuss possible solutions and developments towards a more sustainable travel industry after Covid-19. Watch the full webinar, or read about the highlights, here.

What’s coming next? Trend reports available to download HERE