Preferred Hotel Group has acquired sustainable tourism services and consulting firm Beyond Green Travel founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is the first acquisition by the Ueberroth family since they purchased Preferred Hotel Group in March 2004.

It represents the next step in chief executive Lindsey Ueberroth’s strategic vision to enhance the company’s portfolio in making travel a positive force for people and the planet.

Beyond Green Travel has previously worked with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Travel Corporation, Wilderness Safaris, and National Geographic Travel.

The company has also advised destinations and governments on how to implement sustainable tourism in countries such as Colombia, Bhutan and the US.

Ueberroth said: “As we look ahead to the future of travel, particularly during this period of economic recovery, we believe more than ever that the time is now to take sustainable tourism to the next level.

“Working alongside Costas and his team, we are excited to create a sustainable tourism platform that will enable our brand promise of ‘Believe in Travel’ to help our destination and hospitality clients infuse genuine, holistic, and inspiring sustainability best practices into their daily operations and overall ethos.”

Christ, who remains president of Beyond Green Travel, added: “We are at a transformative crossroads in the history of modern travel, where the need for economic recovery and social change align directly with the core values of sustainable tourism, including a commitment to diversity, equality, and the wellbeing of local communities, environmentally friendly practice, and support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage that are changing the travel and tourism industry for the better.”

The acquisition expands the destination stewardship services offered by Beyond Green Travel through a partnership with PHG Beyond Green Travel has previously worked with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Travel Corporation, Wilderness Safaris, and National Geographic Travel.

The company has also advised destinations and governments on how to implement sustainable tourism in countries such as Colombia, Bhutan and the US.