Abta’s Travelife has joined the Rainforest Alliance in a partnership that combines the leading sustainability certification schemes for hotels in Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.
The deal means hotels that meet the Travelife assessment criteria will be able to display the logo of the Rainforest Alliance and vice versa – bringing greater clarity for consumers and extending the scope of both schemes.
It is the first time certification schemes have partnered in this way and offers properties the chance to join two schemes while only paying to be audited by one.
Abta head of sustainability Nikki White said: “We are excited to announce this partnership, which is the culmination of more than a year of planning, fieldwork and discussion.
“We are able to collaborate in this way due to the shared approaches and practices of the two organisations.
“As well as being united in our vision to improve the welfare of local people and the environment by practical action on the ground, our auditing methods and assessment criteria are aligned enough to enable us to confidently display our certification marks side by side.”
Ronald Sanabria, sustainable tourism vice-president of the Rainforest Alliance, said: “This is a collaboration between two like-minded organisations working to common goals, whose standards have been recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
“By partnering with Travelife for Hotels and Accommodations we can offer increased recognition to tourism companies committed to the conservation of natural resources and the wellbeing of host communities and workers.”
Travelife also launched new branding at World Travel Market in London yesterday, as Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations.
The Abta-owned scheme has currently has 1,300 hotels and accommodation providers as members, of which 900 have achieved Travelife Gold certification.