In a significant effort to promote sustainable tourism, Danish start-up BeCause has joined forces with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement). For many years, tourism and event organizations have struggled to obtain real-time data on the sustainability status of their regional hospitality landscape, often relying on labor-intensive and error-prone methods to match certifications to hospitality services manually. This new partnership aims to revolutionize the accessibility of sustainability information, enabling convention and visitor bureaus, destination management organizations, and national tourism organizations to make more informed decisions and develop targeted sustainability strategies.
The BeCause platform is a cutting-edge tool that incorporates data from over 70 eco-certification bodies and globally recognized industry organizations, such as Green Key, Travalyst, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Green Sign, and EarthCheck. By aggregating this information, the platform simplifies the exchange of sustainability data between certification bodies, hotels, booking platforms, travel retailers, and tourism organizations. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the accuracy of the data but also streamlines the entire process, making it easier for tourism stakeholders to measure and improve their sustainable practices.
Recent surveys highlight a growing demand for sustainable travel options. According to a survey conducted by Booking.com, 75 percent of global travelers expressed a desire to travel more sustainably soon, and 89 percent of business travelers are actively taking steps to minimize their environmental impact. Reinforcing this trend, the “American Express 2024 Global Meetings and Events Forecast” reported that 13 percent of event planners prioritize sustainability in their venue selection, yet 39 percent find it challenging to identify certified sustainable suppliers. The BeCause and GDS-Movement partnership is designed to address these challenges by providing a clearer, more comprehensive view of sustainable travel options.
Ultimately, the collaboration between BeCause and GDS-Movement represents a significant milestone in the journey toward sustainable tourism. By facilitating access to reliable sustainability data, the partnership not only aids tourism organizations in making more eco-friendly decisions but also empowers travelers to choose more sustainable options. This shift could lead to a substantial reduction in the environmental footprint of the tourism industry, promoting a healthier planet and setting a precedent for other sectors to follow. The next steps involve expanding the reach and functionality of the BeCause platform, ensuring that even more stakeholders can benefit from this innovative approach to sustainable tourism.
