Sabre Holdings, in a move perhaps a bit unexpected from a travel technology company, has launched a new Sabre Eco-Certified Hotel Program. The program is designed to meet consumer demands for sustainable travel offerings throughout Sabre’s entire portfolio, including the GDS.

Sabre’s program, based on Travelocity’s Green Hotel Directory, launched in 2009, is now being extended company-wide to recognize hotels that are certified as sustainable according to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s guidelines. The more than 4,700 hotels participating in the program will be clearly distinguished in Sabre’s GDS and reflected in other Sabre platforms. Sabre Red Workspace users can shop and book eco-certified hotels using current amenity search functionality that includes an easy-to-spot icon and a unique amenity code.

According to a recent PhoCusWright study, 66 percent of U.S. travelers believe their travel choices can make a difference to the environment. A similar study conducted in 2012 by the Global Business Travel Association and IMEX, found that 51 percent of meeting planners will hold meetings only in sustainable venues. For suppliers, the Sabre Eco-Certified Hotel Program provides hotels with a new and innovative way to differentiate themselves, reinforce their brand, and tap into the growing number of travelers and travel planners looking for sustainable hotel options.