Responsible Travel Program: Practical Sustainability for Polish Tourism

What unsustainable behaviour needs to change:

“Save the planet” has become a well-intentioned yet vague “call-to-action” in sustainable tourism—often leaving Polish entrepreneurs in the tourism industry without clear, behaviorally targeted guidance for measurable change. Small accommodation owners eager to adopt eco-friendly practices face key behavioural barriers:

• Limited Resources: Many existing sustainability tools are overly technical, creating cognitive overload and leaving small businesses confused rather than empowered.
• Economic Constraints: Available tools or certifications are costly, reducing motivation for small operators who are unsure of their return on investment.
• Exclusivity: Many resources require insider membership, reinforcing the “outgroup bias” (the tendency to dislike members of groups that we don’t identify with) and creating barriers for independent operators.
• Greenwashing Concerns: Entrepreneurs committed to sustainable actions are wary of superficial certifications, which in turn  undermine social trust.
• Neglect of Small Businesses: Most certifications in Poland target large hotels, leaving smaller accommodations without a clear pathway toward sustainability.

The Green Nudge:

To tackle these barriers, Slowhop.com launched the Responsible Travel Program—a free, step-by-step self-certification program specifically for small accommodations in Poland. The program simplifies complex environmental actions into accessible language and clear guidance. 

The Responsible Travel Program addresses each key barrier:

• Cost-Free Access: It’s free, from assessment to certification, removing financial hurdles
• Inclusivity: Open to all types of small accommodations, creating a welcoming and equitable pathway to sustainability.
• Plain Language: Jargon-free resources and clear explanations make it easy to understand for non-experts.
• Anti-Greenwashing: With 250 specific questions probing actual actions (e.g., water conservation), it requires verifiable proof and avoids superficial claims.
• Focus on Small Accommodations: Tailored to small businesses, filling a gap left by larger, mainstream certification efforts.

The program supports lasting behavioural change by encouraging providers to set their own sustainability goals and track progress yearly.

The result: Since its launch, over 60 Polish accommodations have completed the Responsible Travel Program, with many preparing for recertification. As more businesses join, the program aims to transform Polish tourism with measurable data and impactful eco-actions.

Are you aware of any other nudges that help to promote sustainable tourism? Feel free to get in touch: hello@green-nudges.com