REG - Hostelworld Grp PLC - Sustainability of Hostels

HostelworldAnnouncement

21/09/2022 10:00

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RNS Number : 1267A  Hostelworld Group PLC  21 September 2022

LEI:213800OC94PF2D675H41

 

Hostelworld Group plc

("Hostelworld" or the "Group" or "we")

Hostels 75% less carbon intense than hotels, according to new research

A new report released today by leading sustainability and compliance
specialist, Bureau Veritas (https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/) , has found that
hostels are approximately three-quarters less carbon intense (tCO₂e) than
hotels - according to independent research and carbon footprinting data
modelling conducted across a selection of European hotels and hostels.

 

Among the first-of-its-kind research within the tourism sector, this report
was commissioned by Hostelworld, a leading global Online Travel Agent focused
on the hostelling category. Bureau Veritas collected data from across European
hostels totalling 27,509 beds, in order to calculate an average tCO₂e/bed.
This data was benchmarked against the average emissions per assumed guest in
representative European hotel chains.

 

The report entitled 'Understanding The Carbon Impact Of Hostels vs Hotels'
(https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/hostelworld-carbon-impact-analysis) supports
the claim that hostels are the more climate-friendly accommodation choice
compared with hotels, for increasingly environmentally conscious travellers.

 

The findings show that the carbon emissions per bed in hotels averages at 1.18
tCO₂e, compared with 0.30 tCO₂e in the hostels surveyed as part of the
study. The carbon dioxide equivalent of direct and indirect emissions of the
hostels and hotels studied (namely Scope 1 and Scope 2) are measured in metric
tons of CO2e. Bureau Veritas examined data from 2019 to 2021, with 2019
figures represented as the benchmark given capacity constraints during ongoing
periods of Covid-19 travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021.

 

Commenting on the findings, Gary Morrison, CEO, Hostelworld, adds: "Travellers
are increasingly environmentally conscious, constantly looking for ways to
minimise their carbon footprint while visiting new destinations. 82% of
Hostelworld customers believe hostels are more sustainable than any other type
of accommodation with 53% saying that sustainability plays a role in deciding
where they will travel and how they will get there.

 

This research report confirms that hostels represent a more sustainable
accommodation type in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing
the means to meet other people and share unique experiences".

 

David Murray, Business Unit Manager - Sustainability, Bureau Veritas,
comments: "In the current climate it is becoming increasingly valuable to
start understanding ways to make more sustainable tourism choices. In order to
compare the carbon emissions of different types of accommodation, Bureau
Veritas collected and examined data from a sample of hostels that use
Hostelworld as an online travel agent along with publicly available
information released by selected hotel chains.

 

Using the available information, we have calculated an average tCO₂e for
hotels and hostels in Europe in order to directly compare the carbon intensity
of the two types of accommodation.

The results of this study support the claim that on average hostels are up to
75% less carbon intensive than hotels."

 

Hostelworld is committed to maintaining its carbon neutrality status and has
set an absolute emissions reduction target to reduce its scope 1 and 2
emissions by 42% by 2030, complying with science-based target requirements
outlined for small and medium enterprises. The organisation publicly reports
on its carbon emissions in its annual reports and will continue to work with
independent organisations to verify its progress.

 

Bureau Veritas has vast experience and technical expertise in helping some of
the world's largest organisations improve their sustainability performance in
several sectors. As part of the business' Greenline services
(https://www.bureauveritas.co.uk/insight/expertise-for-sustainability) , they
undertake a variety of research, measurement, modelling and data analysis
services to support businesses in identifying their key areas of focus around
sustainability, and ensure compliance with ESG strategies and sustainability
regulation.

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

Hostelworld Group plc
 
Corporate@hostelworld.com

Gary Morrison, Chief Executive Officer

Caroline Sherry, Chief Financial Officer

David Brady, Head of Commercial Finance

 

 

Powerscourt
 
hostelworld@powerscourt-group.com

Eavan Gannon / Nick Dibden
 
+44 (0) 20 7250 1446

 

About Hostelworld Group

 

Hostelworld Group is a leading Online Travel Agent focused on the hostelling
category, with a well-known trusted brand, 13.7 million reviews and a loyal
customer base built up over 22 years. Our core business provides our customers
with hostel accommodation options and hostel focused small group adventure
tour products (Roamies) in over 180 countries worldwide via our website and
native app platforms in 19 languages. In parallel with helping millions of
hostel focused travellers Meet The World®, we are also committed to building
a better world in everything we do. In particular, we are increasing our focus
on improving the sustainability of the hostelling industry, through our active
involvement in the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), led by the UN
Environment Programme and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); our
membership of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC); and our recent
partnership with the South Pole to offset all our greenhouse gas emissions in
2021.

 

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