GREEN TRAVEL: YHA Australia sets new global benchmark for sustainable accommodation and B Corp certification

The B Corp certification also comes as YHA Australia confirms that all 18 properties across its national network are now independently certified through Ecotourism Australia – Image: YHA Sydney/YHA Australia

YHA Australia has become Australia’s first owned and operated accommodation network to achieve Certified B Corporation status, meeting rising traveller expectations for sustainable travel and accommodation options, while setting a new benchmark for how accommodation providers measure and deliver impact.

The B Corp certification also comes as YHA Australia confirms that all 18 properties across its national network are now independently certified through Ecotourism Australia. This places the organisation among a small group of tourism operators globally to combine both certifications, illustrating accountability with verified environmental standards at every location.

YHA Australia is seeing growing demand for more responsible travel, consistent with Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Project, which shows 70% of international travellers value sustainability when making their travel decisions. B Corp certification is awarded by global non-profit B Lab to businesses that meet rigorous standards across governance, workers, community impact, environmental performance and customer responsibility.

The “B” in B Corp stands for “benefit for all,” aiming to shift the economic system from focusing solely on shareholder profit to prioritising people, communities, and the planet.

First to Certify 100% of Accommodation Network with Ecotourism Australia

YHA Australia have achieved a significant sustainability milestone, becoming the first accommodation network globally to certify their entire portfolio with Ecotourism Australia. All 18 properties have received ECO or Sustainable Tourism Certification.

Image: Ecotourism Australia/YHA Australia

The landmark achievement represents a committed and collaborative effort across the network to meet rigorous global standards across sustainable management, environmental stewardship, socio-economic impact and cultural engagement, according to Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan, who congratulated YHA Australia:

“By committing to Ecotourism Australia’s internationally recognised certification programs, YHA is aligning its operations with global best practice and showing true leadership in sustainable tourism.”

“For travellers, trusted certification gives confidence that their choices make a real difference, and when a well-recognised network like YHA adopts rigorous, independently assessed standards, it sends a clear message that sustainable tourism can be both meaningful and accessible, while supporting nature and local communities,” says Keenan.

Founded on a desire to support the exploration of the planet with minimal ecological impact, YHA Australia offer curious travellers low cost, quality short-stay accommodation spanning from thriving city destinations to off-the-beaten-path locations.

YHA Australia’s achievement reflects a whole-of-portfolio approach to sustainability, supported by its Sustainable Properties Fund, which invests in initiatives to reduce energy use, carbon emissions, waste and water consumption across its network.

Projects include renewable energy installations, solar hot water systems, smart building technology, and water conservation measures such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling. Waste reduction is embedded across the portfolio through comprehensive recycling, composting of organic waste, and the elimination of plastic bottled water in favour of refill stations and reusable alternatives.

Community initiatives, including guest swap shelves and food sharing programs, sit alongside a genuine commitment to First Nations engagement connecting guests with Indigenous-led experiences, cultural programming, and community partnerships that deepen what sustainable travel means.

YHA Australia CEO, Paul McGrath said that YHA Australia’s 87 years of community-focused, affordable accommodation prove that sustainable travel and accessible properties aren’t mutually exclusive.

“Increasingly, travellers want to know not just where they go but how the places they stay align with their values, and Ecotourism Australia’s certification offers those travellers a clear and trustworthy answer. Ecotourism Australia’s certification provides us with a globally recognised benchmark to apply consistently across our network, which is a clear competitive advantage for YHA.”

NAN/TA/Eco Tourism Australia 2 April 26

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