In conjunction with Kuoni of Switzerland and TUI of Germany, ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, launched the Travelife Collection project to highlight hotels around the world that work hard to protect the environment and support local communities. The best hotels are presented with bronze, silver and gold awards.

Holidaymakers wanting to book holidays that work hard to protect the environment and support local communities can now find more properties in the second edition of the Travelife Collection. The online directory www.travelifecollection.co.uk is populated by properties across the world which can be booked through the UK’s favourite tour operators – both mainstream and specialists. Nearly 200 hotels and apartments which have signed up to the Travelife programme have all made conscious business decisions to improve their environmental performance and support their local communities, either via an initial self-assessment or a full audit.

The Travelife scheme also awards properties on how successful they are with regard to their environmental and social performances. Those properties wanting to improve can sign up to have full environmental and social audits carried out on their entire business to work towards achieving the Travelife bronze, silver and gold awards. The hotels, which have achieved Travelife award status are featured in tour operator brochures with the Gold, Silver or Bronze logos. Achieving a Travelife Award isn't easy and requires a good result from the Travelife Audit. This involves a visit from an auditor, who'll look at employment records and energy bills, interview staff, and inspect the property thoroughly to ensure excellent management of energy and water, chemical usage and community relations - to mention but a few requirements.

Learn more about this theme in the Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald on the Environment page