Sustainable Hotels Gain Momentum as HBX Group and Bioscore Simplify ESG Certification for Hospitality

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Sustainable hotels are being placed under greater pressure to prove environmental and social claims with credible evidence. Against this backdrop, HBX Group has partnered with Bioscore to make recognised sustainability certification easier for hotel partners to pursue. The initiative has been introduced within the HBX Group Sustainable Certified Hotels Programme, with particular attention being given to properties that have not yet secured certification.

Through specialist support, hotels will be helped to understand requirements, organise ESG information and prepare evidence for independent evaluation. The partnership matters because transparency is being demanded while new European Union consumer protection rules reshape sustainability communication.

HBX Group Expands Its Sustainable Certified Hotels Programme

The partnership has been established as part of the HBX Group Sustainable Certified Hotels Programme, a wider framework through which sustainability certifications aligned with recognised international standards are identified and promoted across the company’s hotel portfolio. Under the collaboration, non-certified properties will be given a clearer route towards assessment rather than being left to interpret certification requirements without specialist support.

Bioscore will help interested hotel partners understand the BIOSCORE sustainability scheme and organise the data and documentary evidence required for independent evaluation. In this way, Hotel sustainability certification is expected to become more accessible, particularly for small and medium-sized operators that may lack dedicated ESG teams or specialist internal resources.

Elena Pérez, Chief HR, Comms & ESG Officer at HBX Group, said hotels were facing growing expectations to demonstrate sustainability progress credibly and transparently, while the certification journey could be complex. The collaboration was therefore presented as a way of creating clearer access to expert guidance throughout that process.

The initiative has been described as the first collaboration of its kind between HBX Group and a sustainability certification scheme owner. ESG certification for hotels will be supported by specialist guidance, while evaluation will continue to be conducted independently.

Certification Support Targets Practical ESG Barriers for Hotels

For hotel businesses, certification can depend on more than adopting sustainability measures. Relevant actions must also be documented and organised so they can be reviewed against formal requirements. Bioscore’s role has been designed around this practical challenge. Hotel ESG practices will be mapped through supporting information and evidence, helping properties prepare for assessment by independent certification bodies.

Víctor Monzón, CEO of Bioscore, said hotels needed a clear way to substantiate what they communicated as restrictions on generic environmental claims and sustainability labels were tightened. Sustainable hospitality is therefore being connected more closely with verifiable evidence rather than unsupported environmental messaging.

EU Rules Increase Importance of Verified Hotel Sustainability Claims

The partnership has arrived as regulatory expectations surrounding sustainability communication are being strengthened. New European Union consumer protection rules, applicable from 27 September 2026, increase requirements around environmental claims and sustainability labels displayed to consumers. Credible, independently verified certification has therefore become more important within hospitality communication.

Hotel sustainability certification can provide a recognised basis for claims that might otherwise appear generic or insufficiently supported. ESG certification for hotels is also being positioned as a structured process through which management information can be assembled for review. Participation, however, will remain voluntary for hotel partners across the global HBX Group network.

Certified Sustainable Properties Gain Greater Visibility Across HBX Group

Recognised sustainability certifications aligned with international standards and frameworks, including the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Travalyst, will continue to be recognised by HBX Group. Sustainable hospitality will therefore remain linked to established external frameworks while the company works to expand its portfolio of certified accommodation.

Greater certification visibility is also intended to help travellers make more informed accommodation choices. Hotel ESG practices can be communicated more transparently when supporting evidence has been prepared for independent review. HBX Group operates Hotelbeds, Bedsonline+, The Luxurist, Roiback, Civitfun and PerfectStay, serves partners in more than 170 countries, and employs more than 3,500 people worldwide.

The certification effort has also been tied to HBX Group’s broader travel technology role. Through its interconnected products and services, online marketplaces, tour operators, travel advisors, airlines, loyalty programmes, destinations and travel suppliers are served. The company has said its aim is to simplify a complex and fragmented travel industry through cloud-based technology, curated data and a broad product portfolio designed to maximise revenue. At the same time, its recognised sustainable hotel portfolio has continued to grow in response to market trends favouring certified properties. The Bioscore collaboration is intended to strengthen that portfolio while improving transparency for accommodation selection.

Conclusion

The HBX Group and Bioscore partnership has been positioned as a practical step towards making recognised sustainability certification easier to navigate across the hospitality sector. Sustainable hotels will be given access to specialist guidance on BIOSCORE requirements, ESG data and evidence preparation before independent evaluation.

The approach is particularly relevant for smaller properties with limited internal sustainability resources. As EU rules place greater emphasis on credible environmental claims and labels, transparent certification is being brought into focus. By supporting voluntary participation and recognised international frameworks, the initiative is intended to expand certified accommodation and strengthen confidence in sustainable hospitality choices.