Peru-based hotel brand Inkaterra was named the first-ever “climate-positive” hotel brand in the world by GreenInitiative. Climate-positive can be defined as “any activity that furthers the achievement of net zero carbon emissions, providing an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.” Endorsed by the United Nations, GreenInitiative announced Inkaterra Hotels’ achievement upon measuring the company’s carbon footprint and offset.

“This outstanding accomplishment is a validation of Inkaterra’s 46-year efforts placing scientific research, biodiversity conservation and sustainability at the very core of our business,” said José Koechlin, founder, Inkaterra. “GreenInitiative’s certification also reminds us all that the natural environment and native cultures are our industry’s most precious resources, and their preservation is the only way to ensure the future of travel.”

Inkaterra’s focus on protecting and saving Peru’s geography, customs, culture and nature, as well as sharing them with the world, sets the hotel brand apart from others. With more than 200,000 annual guests visiting Inkaterra properties, its popularity will only continue to grow with this new achievement.

The announcement comes just as the 2021 Climate Change Conference wraps up. At COP 26, the United Nations World Tourism Organization submitted the Glasgow Declaration to begin the Decade of Climate Action in the travel industry. In alignment with the Paris Agreement, Inkaterra is one of several leading organizations vowing to cut global tourism emissions by at least half over the next 10 years and reach net-zero emissions before 2050.

Inkaterra’s progressive approaches do not stop there as the luxury hospitality and eco-tourism brand initiated efforts to make Machu Picchu the first carbon-neutral Wonder of the World. To achieve this, Inkaterra partnered with Municipality of Machu Picchu, AJE Group, the National Service of Protected Natural Areas and many other important organizations striving toward the same goal. In addition to these partnerships, Inkaterra also has an alliance with the NGO Inkaterra Asociación, through which Inkaterra’s profits go to research, educational and social development programs and conservation.

As part of this initiative for Machu Picchu, Inkaterra seeks to grow 1 million trees across the Machu Picchu national reserve through a waste management strategy and a reforestation plan. This plan has made Machu Picchu the first city in Latin America to achieve a circular economy.

With 45 years of experience in sustainable tourism initiatives, Inkaterra has won many awards for its outstanding projects and goals, including the 2013 Environment Trophy, the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Award for Conservation and the 2012 Green Choice Sustainable Tourism Award. Since 2011, Inkaterra boasts the Rainforest Alliance Verification in Sustainable Tourism.

Do you think more hotel brands should strive to become climate-positive? Are you more likely to stay at hotels that have similar initiatives and goals? Do you think there should be consequences for companies that harm the environment? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.