How our escapes are chosen

UN Tourism defines sustainable tourism as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. But sustainability can be a minefield. It means so many different things to different people.

Hotels and holidays are never one-size-fits-all. They come in all shapes and sizes, which makes it impossible to judge somewhere on one strict set of criteria. Destinations do too. Issues specific to one place will not be relevant to another.

At Great Escapes our best escapes are either conservation or community-led. People and the environment come before profit. Organisations should also show how they are doing what they say they are doing.

As well as considering awards, the actions operators are taking and whether they are conservation or community-led, we created a set of markers to consider what operators are doing against each one. This is not a perfect science, and our next goal is to focus more on accessibility options.

Culture and community

Tourism provides a livelihood for ten per cent of the world's people, but if tourism is to have a positive impact, jobs need to go to local people, wages should be fair and training and development prospects should be available.

Tourism can also work with local suppliers and businesses, or invest in social and environmental projects that help a destination thrive. This keeps more of what guests spend in the local economy.

We love community-owned escapes. Benefits remain in local hands, while community-owned operators often champion cultural and heritage preservation.

What we look for

Employs local people
Ethical and inclusive labour
Employee wellbeing and development
Funds projects
Education
Community led or owned
Community based
Empowerment
Community conservation
Preservation of cultural heritage
Respect for culture
Promotes local businesses

Climate and conservation

Tourism's relationship with climate and nature is intertwined. It depends on healthy, functional ecosystems to flourish, making their protection even more vital.

Switching to energy-saving bulbs and asking guests to reuse towels is not enough. We look for lower consumption, renewable energy and operators that clearly show guests what they are doing.

Biodiversity protection is equally important. Many escapes are conservation-led, where tourism provides an incentive to protect an ecosystem and its wildlife.

What we look for

Reduces all energy use
Reduces all waste including food and water
Reduces consumption
Solar powered or renewable energy
Net zero
Carbon neutral
Solid recycling
Water recycling
Low impact transport
Low impact activities
Zero plastic
Limits plastic use
Ecosystem preservation
Wildlife protection or rescue
Reforestation or restoration
Sustainable build
Local or organic food
Plant based or offering a large amount of plant based food
Signed up to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

Commercial

Ideally, businesses are open about their financial impact through transparent accounting. They support local craftspeople and producers and choose suppliers with strong sustainability credentials.

We also look at sustainable tourism certification, though never rely on it. Cost and time can unfairly exclude small-scale operators, while broad criteria can sometimes facilitate greenwashing.

What we look for

Transparent business accounting
Sustainable procurement along the supply chain
Reinvests back into the community and or environment
Certification