Hostelworld partners with Global Sustainable Tourism Council on sustainability plan

Hostels, by design, can be a sustainable accommodation option for travellers. Their shared accommodation spaces result in numerous sustainable advantages: reduced water and electricity consumption, shared kitchens considerably reducing food, plastic and packaging waste. Beyond these environmental considerations, hostels play a vital role in acting as community guardians, actively promoting authentic local experiences, showcasing local artists, purchasing from local suppliers and community volunteering events that contribute to the betterment of the locality.

New research from Bureau Veritas and Hostelworld highlights that hostels are leading the way in providing a sustainable accommodation option for travellers, revealing that hostels emit 82 per cent less carbon compared to hotel counterparts. A survey by Hostelworld of their hostel partners revealed that although 85 per cent of hostels either participate in sustainability initiatives or have expressed interest in doing so, they face challenges in communicating their efforts and the impact of their existing sustainability practices.

Recognizing the need for formal recognition in a sector that is already deeply committed to sustainability, the ‘Staircase to Sustainability’ framework aims to provide hostels with a clear pathway to communicate their sustainability management practices, as well as acknowledge their socio-economic, cultural and environmental impact.

The framework is designed to not only help hostels identify any gaps in their current sustainability practices and guide them to moving up the ‘staircase’ to secure a formal certification, but to also celebrate the incredible work already being done in the category. Hostels that sign up to the framework will be subject to third-party auditing, from level two upwards, speaking to the high standard it sets for participating hostels.

The framework also serves as an accessible guide for the climate-conscious traveller looking to make informed choices when selecting accommodation, removing hours of research as well as any potential guesswork. For every level of criteria achieved, a hostel will be awarded the relevant sustainability Badge on Hostelworld’s website. Travellers can now also search for sustainable hostels using Hostelworld’s new sustainability filter.

“While there is a sustainability framework for hotels, our hostel partners have voiced that the existing frameworks do not adequately address the unique characteristics of the independent hostel market. This is why over the past 18 months we’ve dedicated our time, working in close partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, to craft this pioneering framework for the hostelling sector. The unwavering support and willingness of the GSTC to deep dive into the distinct needs of hostels has been instrumental in shaping this framework,” says Caroline Sherry, CFO and ESG lead, Hostelworld.