Sustainable Rural Development International

Most sustainable travel guides target the traveller, not the destination or hotel. The problem is that if destinations don’t offer the right incentives to attract the type of traveller they want…well, they won’t be successful.

This article is specifically designed for the business sector and provides a 90-day action checklist to help you achieve success with your travel business, destination, and accommodation.
90-Day Sustainable Travel Action Checklist

For DMOs, hotels, and tourism suppliers

Goal: Move from “commitment” to visible, bookable action that travellers can see and reward.

1. Visibility: Show what you already do

Publish your sustainability practices on your OTA (Booking, Expedia, Airbnb, etc.) profile.
Use recognised certifications (GSTC-aligned) — upload your certificate, don’t just claim.
Add clear, simple guest-facing language: “We invest 20% of revenue in local conservation.”

2. Easy Wins in Operations

Energy: switch to LEDs, set smart thermostats, and track monthly usage.
Waste: eliminate single-use plastics, set up recycling bins, and compost whenever possible.
Water: install low-flow taps/showers and monitor consumption.
Local economy: commit to at least 30% local sourcing in food, services, and staffing.

3. Engage the Destination

Partner with your DMO or local NGO to support one visible project (e.g., trail maintenance, beach cleanup, community training).
Contribute a fixed % of bookings (even 1–2%) to a local fund and tell guests where it goes.
Pilot a visitor incentive (e.g., free transit pass, local market voucher, or CopenPay-style reward for sustainable behaviour).

4. Nudge the Traveller

Make the sustainable option the default (e.g., linen reuse, low-emission transfers).
Add signage or booking-page notes explaining why these choices matter.
Offer a small reward (loyalty points, free drink, extra night raffle) for guests who opt in.

5. Measure & Share

Choose 3 metrics to track monthly (energy use, % local sourcing, waste diverted).
Share results in a simple dashboard or infographic — on your website and OTA listing.
Celebrate progress publicly (social posts, press releases) to build trust and brand value.

✅ Tip: Sustainable practices don’t just reduce impact — they improve guest satisfaction and lift bookings. Booking.com reports that 75% of travellers want to choose sustainable options when they’re easy to find.

Want tailored strategies for your property or destination? Connect with me for advisory support that turns this checklist into measurable revenue growth.

Contact: [email protected] Visit: www.vesselkaconsult.com

Visit my Office Store to buy useful travel and other technical guides that help you succeed: https://wanderlust265.gumroad.com/

Want to give us a helping hand? Our Trustee, Richard Shepard, has published a series of plain-language sustainable travel guides on Gumroad, and we receive 10% of all net profits. So head over and take a look - you'll find the full Travel Right book and lots of easy-to-absorb companion guides on where to stay, what eating sustainably means, packing sustainably and more! Plus, they won't break your budget and can be instantly downloaded in PDF.

So, go ahead and take a look: wanderlust265.gumroad.com