There are several certification programs that recently got my attention—all of which are now listed on the Green Lodging News certifications page. Be sure to visit the programs’ respective websites for additional information, as only a portion of the programs’ details are included here.
The first program, launched by Wellness in Travel & Tourism (WITT), aims to transform the hospitality sector by providing prestigious certification criteria that sets properties apart in a competitive market, enabling them to enhance their wellness offerings and attract travelers.
“The WITT Certified seal provides hotels and resorts with a significant advantage in attracting travelers by offering objective and rigorous audits of their wellness amenities and services,” said Robin Ruiz, WITT’s CEO and Founder. “Think of us as the Michelin Guide for Wellness Travel. Our forthcoming consumer-facing website will provide travelers the ability to explore WITT Certified hotels, articles, and destination spotlights, empowering them to travel confidently knowing that their expectations and preferences will be met.”
With the wellness travel market projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025 and wellness designated hotels reporting a 20 percent higher ADR than non-wellness hotels, WITT’s proprietary 100-point certification criteria provide a crucial differentiator for properties in this booming sector while addressing the lack of well-defined industry standards. The evaluation process focuses on five core pillars—Healthy Eating, Holistic Healing, Nature, Movement and Local Impact.
Beyond certification, WITT provides comprehensive consulting services, expert guidance, and targeted marketing support for properties seeking to enhance their wellness offerings, stand out in the market and drive occupancy. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness travelers in the U.S. spend 175 percent more than traditional travelers which presents a substantial opportunity for certified properties to increase revenues.
WITT has already certified over 100 early adopter properties and plans for exponential growth. For more information, visit www.wittcertified.com.
Ocean Friendly Hotels
The second certification program to catch my eye is the Ocean Friendly Hotels program, an expansion of Surfrider’s nationally recognized Ocean Friendly Restaurants program. Hotels must follow all seven required criteria:
- No plastic beverage bottles, or plastic bags are sold or used onsite.
- No expanded polystyrene is used anywhere onsite (aka Styrofoam).
- Cups, utensils, straws, condiments, and other accessory items in rooms are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials and are not packaged in plastic.
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, etc.) are not packaged in small plastic bottles.
- Water refill stations are available for guests onsite.
- If applicable, restaurants or cafes onsite are Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurants.
- Proper solid waste recycling procedures are followed, and bins are amply provided for guest use.
Hotels must choose at least three additional criteria from this list:
- Coffee and tea stations do not use single-use pods or plastic packaging in rooms.
- Concessions and pre-packaged food items are not sold or distributed in plastic packaging, including in room mini bars.
- Room keys are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials.
- Energy efficiency efforts are in place. At minimum, rooms must have signage that reminds guests to turn off lights when leaving the rooms.
- Water conservation and pollution mitigation efforts are implemented. At minimum, rooms must have signage which asks guests to consider using their towels and linens more than once in the rooms.
- Inspired by Surfrider Kauai Chapter’s Ocean Friendly Visitors Program, solo trash cleanup kits are available for guests.
- Onsite gift shops only sell or provide sunscreen that is reef friendly.
- Outdoor light pollution is minimized.
- Hotel landscaping follows Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Garden Program criteria or there is an Ocean Friendly Garden onsite.
Hotels that meet all of the criteria are recognized as a Platinum Level Ocean Friendly Hotel. A small fee is required to join the Ocean Friendly Hotels Program and to receive member benefits like marketing collateral, access to national vendor discounts, and association with a nationally recognized nonprofit.
The program fee is based on the size of the hotel:
- Very small (0-10 rooms): $150
- Small (11-25 rooms): $275
- Medium (26-100 rooms): $450
- Large (101-300 rooms): $625
- Very large (301 rooms & above): $800
An Ocean Friendly Hotel membership is good for one year and requires annual renewal.
Finally, Responsible Hospitality is recognized by Forbes Travel Guide as the official sustainability verification for its community of star-rated hotels in more than 80 countries. It covers topics such as food and water waste, sustainable amenities, recycling programs, energy usage, health security, integration with the local community and culture, and more. At press time, 13 properties were featured on the Forbes Travel Guide site.
The comprehensive assessment verifies hotels on best practices to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests and the community—creating a global standard for the world’s finest hotels and a trusted third-party verification for guests.
Designed in partnership with hotelier Hervé Houdré, Responsible Hospitality allows discerning guests to make purposeful choices based on consistent, expertly designed global standards.
The VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge is awarded to properties that demonstrate a commitment to more than 100 stringent standards to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests and their communities.
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