Abta’s Travelife has changed the way it selects and trains the independent auditors who carry out on-site inspections and certification of hotels while keeping costs as low as possible.
Travelife is one of 140 travel sustainability schemes around the world and one of 20 certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
But Travelife business manager Soren Stober insists: “Travelife is the most affordable scheme out there.”
He said: “As part of Abta and as part of the industry we believe that is important. If we charged a lot, the uptake would be lower.”
Auditors checks the sustainability management systems and business policies of hotels.
“We check whether the properties’ policies are implemented day to day,” said Stober. “We look at properties’ environmental management – at energy, water and waste management and the management of hazardous chemicals.
“We look at how properties communicate their sustainability and whether they devote human and financial resources to it.
“We look at labour and human rights – how employees are looked after – and at community integration. We also ask whether a hotel uses local suppliers.
Certified hotels must successfully undergo an independent audit every two years to display a Travelife award. Stober says a majority of the 850 certified hotels have already had more than one audit.
Of the 450 properties registered but not certified by Travelife, Stober said: “Either they have just joined or they had an audit and didn’t pass.
“We’re probably looking at a conversion rate of 75% at the first audit. It’s not that hotels apply, have an audit and get a certificate.
“It’s hard work for a hotel. It was not easy [to be certified] and now it is even harder.”
Travelife aims to complete about 350 audits this year.
Stober said: “We provide each member with guidance documents and support material and we have a team of five in London with the technical expertise to answer questions.”
Hotels pay to become Travelife members, with fees ranging from €180 to €360 a year depending on the number of guests.
There is an audit fee on top, payable every two years, which ranges from €210 to €390 also based on the size of a property.
Stober said: “We have 30-35 auditors. Previously, we had too many and we changed the selection process and training.
“We invite people to become auditors. We look at their experience and background – auditing experience is what is most important.
“We give hotels up to six months to prepare for an audit. They submit a self-assessment form and then an independent auditor carries out the Travelife audit to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.”
Audits take place only when a hotel is open. Stober said: “You can’t check how stuff operates without occupancy.”
Properties must produce evidence on energy and water consumption. Stober said: “The auditor will look at consumption per guest per night daily and monthly, and ask questions.
“They will measure how much water is used in the shower and toilets, and talk privately with employees.”
He added: “We’re not inflexible. Maybe a hotel does not have the right document or a piece of evidence on the day and we highlight areas of compliance they can improve. But they need to be fully compliant to be certified.”
Travelife has expanded beyond the UK as tour operators across major European markets increasingly identify hotels with sustainability certification.
Stober said: “About 70%-80% of properties that have a Travelife award are sold by UK tour operators.
“But we are working with tour operators in Germany, France and Scandinavia – including with the top three operators in Germany and the same in Scandinavia.”
He said: “There is a big opportunity for Travelife to grow. We have not realised 10% of the UK market yet.
“A lot of Travelife properties are shared by European operators, and there are also opportunities for co-operation with like-minded operators.”
The existence of multiple schemes around the world, and different criteria for assessing sustainability, can be confusing for consumers.
But Stober said: “I’m not aware of anything like Travelife that is linked to tour operators. It’s unique in that respect.”
Destination sustainability will be the subject of a discussion led by Abta head of destinations and sustainability Nikki White at The Travel Convention in Slovenia on September 21-23. Register at thetravelconvention.com