B Corp Certification Gains Momentum in Travel Industry, Found Compliant with Travalyst Criteria
9 OCTOBER, 2024 – Certified B Corporations have long been recognized globally as companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability for business-driven positive impact, yet they remained relatively under the radar within the tourism sector. However, the travel industry has witnessed significant growth in B Corps in the last few years, marking a pivotal shift towards the adoption of more sustainable and responsible business practices. This trend has been further solidified by the recent inclusion of B Corp Certification on Travalyst's first-ever list of sustainability certifications, standards, and schemes compliant with its discerning criteria.
Travalyst is a not-for-profit global coalition that unites some of the largest brands in travel and technology to elevate sustainability information and enable travelers to make more informed choices when planning their trips. Inclusion in this new list means travelers can now more easily discover B Corps within the travel industry when planning vacations thanks to how Travalyst's partners, and wider industry, may incorporate this information in their search and sort tools. This designation also highlights the exponential growth of the B Corp movement in travel and growing consumer awareness. As the global network that creates standards, tools, and programs for business, B Lab certifies companies, known as B Corps, that are leading the way in business for good. In the nonprofit’s first decade, only 19 certified companies in the world were within the tourism sector. In the last six years, that number has grown to nearly 200.
"Travalyst is driving meaningful change within the travel industry by uniting businesses and consumers to create a more sustainable future," said Sarah Schwimmer, Co-Lead Executive of B Lab Global. "In today’s era of global travel, it’s clear that our impact on both people and the planet must be central to how we make travel decisions. We’re thrilled to see B Corp Certification playing a key role in this journey."
“Recognition from this selective organization underscores the rigorous standards and credibility of the B Corp Certification process,” said Jared Meyers, co-founder of B Tourism, a global network of B Corps in travel dedicated to the growth of the certification across the industry. “This is a powerful opportunity for deeper collaboration and a significant step toward transforming the travel industry for the better. Our sector is poised for a meaningful transformation, and B Corp Certification is leading the charge.”
The inclusion of B Corps on Travalyst's list of entities that comply with their criteria is hoped to only further accelerate its adoption across the travel industry. This move also aligns with the growing demand from travelers for more sustainable and responsible travel options – research carried out by Travalyst’s coalition partner, Booking.com revealed that 45% of travelers find sustainably labeled accommodations more appealing. In addition, B Lab has found that 1 in 4 consumers surveyed across the UK, U.S. and Canada, Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, and 9 countries in Europe are aware of the B Corp brand name or logo.
Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, shared "Our criteria represent just the first step in a broader, ongoing effort to harmonize approaches to sustainability certifications, standards, and schemes for the accommodation sector, and we are thrilled that B Corp Certification is compliant with this first iteration. We aim for our initiative to be as inclusive as possible in the first instance because achieving a critical mass of credible organizations working towards the same goals is crucial. B Corp’s growing, global network of accommodation providers is a great asset to our mission, especially at such an early stage in this journey.”
Unlike some certifications that focus solely on environmental factors, B Corp Certification evaluates social, economic, and environmental impacts, aligning with Travalyst's third criteria to encompass efforts within the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As the travel industry continues to evolve, B Corp Certification stands out as a beacon of comprehensive sustainability practices, setting a new standard for responsible business in the sector.
“Having the B Corp Certification recognized by Travalyst is a significant validation because it not only reinforces the credibility of our social and environmental impact efforts but also aligns us with a global initiative to standardize and simplify sustainability information for travelers,” said Matt Berna, President, Americas at Intrepid Travel – one of the largest B Corp tourism companies in the world. “It's a powerful acknowledgment that will help us reach more conscious consumers and further our mission of creating positive change through the joy of travel.”
About B Lab: B Lab is transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, the global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companies — known as B Corps — who are leading the way. To date, the B Corp community includes over 850,000 workers in over 9,000 B Corps across 103 countries and 162 industries, and more than 300,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. B Lab has created and led efforts to pass over 50 corporate statutes globally that enable stakeholder governance. To learn more and join the movement, visit www.bcorporation.net.
Media Contact: press@bcorporation.net