## Danish Startup BeCause Revolutionizes Sustainability Data for Global Tourism
In a groundbreaking move, BeCause, a pioneering Danish startup, is transforming the way the global hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors manage their sustainability data. Through a strategic partnership with the Global Destination Sustainability – Movement (GDS-Movement), BeCause is set to empower tourism and event organizations to effectively monitor and promote sustainable practices within their destinations. This partnership marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the travel industry.
A Data-Driven Approach to Sustainability:
The collaboration brings together BeCause’s innovative data platform and the GDS-Movement’s international network of destination organizations. This partnership will provide members of the GDS-Movement, which includes Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs), Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), and National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), with access to BeCause’s bespoke data dashboard. This powerful tool offers a real-time, comprehensive view of the sustainability credentials within their respective hospitality sectors.
Unlocking Sustainable Experiences:
The data dashboard makes it incredibly easy for tourism organizations to identify accommodations, restaurants, attractions, beaches, and other experiences that hold valid sustainability certifications. This information empowers them to craft targeted sustainability initiatives and showcase their destinations’ commitment to eco-friendly practices to travelers.
Addressing the Challenges of Sustainable Data:
Prior to this partnership, gathering accurate and detailed sustainability data was a complex and often unreliable process. Destinations had to manually correlate certifications with relevant services and facilities, making it difficult to present a comprehensive picture of their sustainable offerings. BeCause’s platform solves this problem by serving as a central hub for sustainability data management, specifically designed for the visitor economy.
Streamlining Data Exchange:
BeCause collaborates with over 70 eco-certification agencies, including industry leaders like Green Key, Travalyst, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Green Sign, and EarthCheck. This network enables a seamless exchange of sustainability data between certification bodies, accommodations, and other key stakeholders, including booking platforms, travel retailers, and tourism organizations. The result is a simplified and more efficient flow of information that benefits all parties involved.
Meeting Growing Demand for Sustainable Travel:
The demand for eco-friendly travel options is rapidly increasing. A recent 2024 survey by Booking.com revealed that 75% of global travelers aim to adopt more sustainable travel practices in the near future. This trend extends to business travelers as well, with 89% actively striving to minimize their environmental impact while on the road. The demand for sustainable practices is also a significant concern for meeting and event organizers. According to the American Express 2024 Global Meetings and Events Forecast, 13% of planners consider sustainability a critical factor in venue selection, yet 39% struggle to find suppliers with sustainability certifications.
Empowering Destinations with Data Insights:
BeCause’s data platform empowers tourism organizations to effectively address these growing demands. Destinations like VisitEngland, the first to pilot the BeCause-powered data hub, can now access detailed analyses of specific areas, including up-to-the-minute information on local offerings and certifications. This capability enables National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) to gain valuable insights into current conditions and emerging trends, supporting the development of strategic sustainability initiatives. Armed with verifiable data, these organizations can proactively address greenwashing concerns and solidify their reputation as reliable sources of information on sustainable practices.
Building Trust through Transparency:
“Trust is the foundation of sustainability,” emphasizes Frederik Steensgaard, CEO of BeCause. The platform automates the verification of sustainability claims through direct communication with certification bodies, ensuring that trust is prioritized throughout the entire value chain, from consumers to tourism organizations. By providing access to accurate and transparent data, BeCause empowers both travelers and destinations to make informed decisions that promote a more sustainable future for the tourism industry.
The partnership between BeCause and the GDS-Movement represents a crucial step towards a more sustainable and responsible travel sector. By leveraging data and technology, this collaboration empowers destinations to showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility, attract eco-conscious travelers, and contribute to a more regenerative future for the global tourism industry.