Six Ways to a More Sustainable Stay

Preserving our planet’s natural resources and protecting the environment are crucial to ensuring we maintain the beauty of destinations across the world for generations to come. With tourism hotspots becoming increasingly crowded and at risk from over-tourism, finding ways to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gases and drive positive impact in communities across the world is critical. That is why last year, Hilton committed to cutting its environmental footprint in half and doubling its investment in social impact by 2030.

To have a real impact, we all need to work together and do our bit to make a difference – as businesses, as households and as individuals. Going on holiday is no exception, so here are six simple steps you can take to help make your trip more sustainable:

1. Be mindful of the ocean. The chemicals in some sun creams can have a harmful impact on the environment and can cause coral bleaching. If you’re going to be swimming in the sea, make sure you pick a sun cream which is coral-friendly. Watch out for ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can damage marine life.
2. Consider travelling off-season. Many popular tourist hotspots can become extremely busy in high season, which can negatively impact local infrastructure, wildlife and communities. If you can, consider travelling outside of peak travel seasons. This can help reduce the impact of your trip, not to mention reducing the cost of travel, and making it more enjoyable to explore the top sights!
3. Say no to plastic. Every year, a staggering eight million tons of plastic end up in our oceans. Investing in a reusable water bottle made from eco-friendly materials is a simple way to help curb your plastic waste while on holiday. If you’re flying, take your bottle through airport security empty, and then fill it up in departures. Many public spaces such as museums have complimentary water stations, so keep an eye out for them throughout your trip.
4. Travel sustainably. When you’re on holiday, pick a more sustainable mode of transport such as a bike. Not only can it help keep emissions low and your heart healthy, but you may even find you get to see more of the city than if you went by car. All Canopy by Hilton hotels offer free bikes, and Hilton London Bankside has bamboo bikes available for guests to use.
5. Select sustainable food options. Making small, simple changes to the way we eat can have a huge impact on the environment. Hilton is the first hotel brand to sign up to the Cool Food Pledge, committing to collectively cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030. This doesn’t mean compromising on taste but simply creating more plant-rich dishes and using more locally sourced ingredients.
6. Reduce your energy use. Turning off the lights and air conditioning when you leave a hotel room will significantly reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.

To learn more about Hilton’s journey to redefine sustainable travel through its Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, please visit cr.hilton.com.

About Travel with Purpose

Travel with Purpose is Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy to redefine and advance sustainable travel globally. By 2030, we plan to double our investment in social impact and cut our environmental footprint by half. We track, analyze and report our environmental and social impact at each of Hilton’s more than 6,100 hotels through LightStay, our award-winning performance management system. Travel with Purpose capitalizes on Hilton’s global scale to catalyze local economic growth; respect human rights; invest in people and local communities; and preserve our planet by reducing our impact on natural resources. Our strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Visit cr.hilton.com to learn more.