Hotels.com Sustainability Review

Check out why Hotels.com Sustainability Rating is below the industry average. Join the questionZERO community to stay updated with Top Sustainable Brands for December 2024. Make informed, eco-friendly choices with ease - every time you shop.

Hotels.com qZERO® Sustainability Score

2.9 / 5.0

Active Sustainability Progress *

November 20, 2024

About Hotels.com

Headquarters: 5400 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy Ste 500 75240-1019 Dallas Dallas Texas United States
Hotels.com, a brand operated by Hotels.com, L.P., is a leading platform for booking accommodation online. As part of the Expedia Group, it provides travellers with an extensive selection of over hundreds of thousands of properties worldwide, including hotels, B&Bs, and resorts. The brand is known for its user-friendly website and app, which offer competitive prices, special deals, and a rewards programme that allows customers to earn free nights. Hotels.com strives to deliver a seamless booking experience, supported by customer reviews and ratings to aid informed decisions. It remains a popular choice among travellers seeking convenience and value.

Hotels.com Sustainability Rating is 2.9 out of 5.0

This means Hotels.com are below average compared to other companies in the Professional & Commercial Services.

Industry positioning

Hotels.com
Industry average
5
4
3
2
1
0
2.9
3.1
Overall
3.0
3.0
Environmental
2.2
3.1
Social
4.4
3.6
Governance

Hotels.com positioning within the Household & Personal Products

Sustainability Challenges in Professional & Commercial Services

The Professional & Commercial Services industry faces several sustainability challenges. These include environmental concerns such as resource management and carbon footprint reduction, social issues like workforce diversity and community engagement, along with governance challenges that demand robust ethical standards and transparency.

Comparing Hotels.Сom with Industry Standards

Environmental Performance: Hotels.com performs slightly better than the industry average, suggesting moderate attention to ecological impacts.

Social Assessment: The company trails the industry, indicating potential areas for improvement in community involvement and workforce practices.

Governance: Hotels.com excels relative to industry norms, pointing to strong corporate governance and ethical standards.

Overall, Hotels.com exhibits mixed sustainability performance, with notable strengths in governance whilst having room for growth in social aspects to align more closely with industry averages.

How does Hotels.com focus on You?

Hotels.com, a brand by Hotels.com, L.P., offers a wide range of online services enabling consumers to find, compare, and book accommodations globally. Their offerings include hotels, vacation rentals, and last-minute deals tailored to suit diverse travel needs and preferences.

Affordability vs Sustainability

Hotels.com addresses the balance between affordability and sustainability by providing a platform that offers competitive pricing while highlighting eco-friendly accommodations. They use a search filter that allows consumers to find sustainable properties, thus making it easier for travellers to choose environmentally responsible accommodations without compromising on budget. By partnering with hotels that implement green practices, they aim to support a movement towards more sustainable travel. The platform's cost-effective features, such as price matching and promotional discounts, further encourage consumers to make environmentally conscious choices while maintaining affordability.

Hotels.com Sustainability Rating Breakdown:

Hotels.com Overall Sustainability Rating is 2.9 out of 5.0

Hotels.com is committed to sustainability through eco-friendly initiatives such as supporting accommodations that prioritise environmental responsibility. They encourage hotels to adopt green practices, including waste reduction and energy efficiency programmes. Their website provides tools for travellers to find eco-certified properties, enabling informed choices. With a focus on transparency, Hotels.com highlights properties with sustainability credentials, allowing consumers to contribute to a healthier planet by selecting lodgings that mirror their values. This approach empowers both hotels and guests to play active roles in sustainable travel.

Hotels.com Environmental Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0

Hotels.com has shown exceptional performance in the area of energy management, indicating a strong commitment to optimising energy use across its operations. This is a significant advantage in reducing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability efforts. However, improvements could be made in managing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, which currently appear to be a weaker aspect of the company's environmental strategy. Addressing this area could help Hotels.com further strengthen its overall sustainability profile and demonstrate a more comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility. By balancing these aspects, the company has the opportunity to advance its environmental leadership.

Hotels.com Social Rating is 2.2 out of 5.0

The social performance of Hotels.com highlights a mixed landscape. Key strengths include Product Quality Management and Supplier Engagement, demonstrating effective partnerships and a commitment to maintaining high service standards. Efforts in Diversity and Inclusion and Labour Relations reflect moderate success, pointing to room for enhancement in workplace harmony and equality. However, areas needing significant improvement are Data Privacy and Cyber Risk, indicating vulnerabilities that could impact user trust and data security. Overall, while Hotels.com shows certain strong performances, there are critical areas that require strategic attention to bolster social sustainability.

Hotels.com Governance Rating is 4.4 out of 5.0

Hotels.com demonstrates a strong commitment to governance, particularly in business ethics, achieving exceptional adherence to ethical standards. Their corporate compliance behaviours are robust, ensuring that policies and procedures align with legal requirements and company values. The focus on business resilience and sustainability indicates a well-rounded governance strategy aimed at sustaining economic vitality while adapting to changing circumstances. Nonetheless, there is potential to enhance areas not highlighted, ensuring comprehensive governance practices across all aspects. Overall, Hotels.com showcases a proficient approach in this domain, reinforcing their dedication to maintaining a trustworthy and compliant organisation.

What makes Hotels.com stand out in the Industry?

The main unique selling proposition of Hotels.com lies in its extensive selection and convenience in booking accommodations globally. Users benefit from a vast array of choices at competitive prices, making it easy to find the perfect stay whether for business or leisure. The user-friendly platform provides an efficient booking experience, along with rewards for loyal customers through their Hotels.com Rewards programme. Customers can earn free stays after collecting enough stamps, further enhancing value. The brand emphasises accessibility and customer satisfaction, underpinned by a robust support system to ensure a seamless travel experience.

So is Hotels.com sustainable?

Conclusion on Hotels.com Sustainability Efforts

As consumers become increasingly mindful of the sustainability practices of the companies they support, evaluating the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of a brand like Hotels.com is crucial. Sustainability involves more than just being environmentally conscious; it also includes responsible governance and social practices.

Hotels.com shows a balanced approach to sustainability through their governance and environmental initiatives. Their efforts in governance highlight strong leadership and robust ethical practices and policies that ensure responsible and fair business operations. This demonstrates a commitment to mitigating risks and enhancing accountability, which is vital in maintaining trust with both consumers and stakeholders.

In terms of environmental impact, Hotels.com is making progress to improve its ecological footprint through thoughtful resource management and eco-friendly practices. These initiatives aim to reduce negative impacts on the planet while providing eco-conscious options for travellers, showing a growing dedication to environmental stewardship.

However, the social aspect presents more room for growth. The importance of social responsibility cannot be overstated, as it encompasses relationships with employees, customers, and local communities. Positive social impact is essential in promoting inclusivity, equality, and community engagement. As Hotels.com enhances their social initiatives, they have the opportunity to cultivate deeper connections with consumers and contribute positively to society.

Overall, Hotels.com exhibits promising governance and environmental practices, although further efforts towards improving social sustainability are crucial. Understanding these aspects helps consumers make informed decisions, aligning their purchasing choices with brands that prioritise sustainable practices.

In summary, while Hotels.com is on a positive path regarding some aspects of sustainability, continuous improvements in all areas will potentially lead to a more sustainable future. For consumers, recognising these efforts is a step towards supporting companies that are genuinely committed to responsible and sustainable business practices.

* Disclaimer: We use publicly available information, licensed data, information generated by artificial intelligence tools and information obtained directly from brands in order to determine our Sustainability Ratings. We recognise that you will be consulting various sources in order to do your due diligence and/or to inform your buying decisions, which may include considering our Sustainability Ratings. Please note that our Sustainability Ratings are for general information only and you must not use any part of the content on our site (including the Sustainability Ratings) for commercial or business purposes without first obtaining a licence to do so from us or our licensors. The Sustainability Ratings are not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our site, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees that the content on our site or the Sustainability Ratings are accurate, complete or up to date. We therefore disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such content by any visitor to our site, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents. Please refer to our Terms of Service or contact us at if you have any questions.

More sustainability ratings

Explore more comprehensive reports and see how sustainable brands are with our factual, intelligent qZERO Sustainability Score system —designed for conscious shoppers who care about making a difference.