Booking.com and UNWTO Unveil Free Online Training

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Booking.com and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have introduced a series of free online courses aimed at fostering sustainability within the global hospitality sector. The initiative, titled “Sustainable Stays,” features four courses covering essential aspects of sustainable practices: local community engagement, energy usage & greenhouse gases, food & waste management, and water management.

Available to both accommodation providers and the general public, the pilot version of the first course, focused on community engagement, is accessible at partner-courses.booking.com/sustainability. Following an initial optimization phase, all four courses will be hosted on the Tourism Online Academy (TOA), managed by UNWTO and IE University.

Each course, led by renowned experts and academics, delivers practical insights into sustainability tailored for accommodations. Topics range from calculating and reducing energy consumption to best practices in community engagement. The modules showcase actionable recommendations, with real success stories from Booking.com’s accommodation partners included.

Danielle D’Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com, expressed enthusiasm about expanding their collaboration with UNWTO and providing valuable resources for accommodation providers. She highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability practices into operations to make mindful travel choices, benefiting both destinations and the planet.

Booking.com’s commitment to sustainability is not new, as evidenced by the Travel Sustainable program launched in 2021. Over 1.4 million properties have since shared sustainability data with the platform. The latest courses stem from a broader initiative to educate accommodations on the benefits of adopting sustainable practices, aligning with industry demands for better access to knowledge and additional training.

UNWTO Executive Director Natalia Bayona emphasized the significance of education and skills development in building a more sustainable tourism sector. She looks forward to working with Booking.com to extend these valuable resources through the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy.

The courses mark a significant step toward a more sustainable future for the travel industry, providing practical tools for accommodations to contribute positively to their business, guests, environment, and local communities.

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