The Leading Hotels of the World Introduces Sustainability Leaders Collection: Luxury Hotels Committed to Environmental and Cultural Preservation

The Leading Hotels of the World Introduces Sustainability Leaders Collection: Luxury Hotels Committed to Environmental and Cultural Preservation

More than 50 Leading Hotels are Celebrated as Sustainability Leaders and Demonstrate Excellence in Environment, Community and Cultural Practices

NEW YORK, NY, 2023-Sep-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), more than 400 independent luxury hotels in over 80 countries, is proud to unveil their Sustainability Leaders collection. From modern metropolitan towers to tented jungle sanctuaries, the collection was created to recognize Leading Hotels that are committed to preserving the environment and the cherished values and cultural heritage of their destinations.

With deep-rooted connections to their communities and surrounding environments, more than 50 Leading Hotels are currently recognized as a Sustainability Leader. The designation signifies that the hotel has achieved a sustainable certification aligned to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria. LHW is a member of the GSTC, the premier global authority in setting and managing standards for sustainable tourism worldwide since 2010.

A Leading Hotel with the Sustainability Leaders recognition has been rigorously evaluated and received at least one, or more, GSTC accredited certification or certification to a GSTC-Recognized Standard. LHW has partnered with Vireo Srl (GSTC-Accredited Certification Body) as well as Green Globe, Green Key Global, and Travelife (all use a GSTC-recognized standard) to offer its hotels resources and tools to advance their sustainability strategies.

All Sustainability Leaders actively maintain a sustainability management plan and demonstrate their commitment through actions and impact against three pillars:

• Environment: Sustainability Leaders are committed to mindful and responsible consumption of resources, investment in renewable energy and preserving natural habitats. They actively minimize use of resources while finding ways to recycle and reuse waste, water and materials. They leverage their geographical locations to use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. From propagating native plant species and establishing wildlife corridors, Sustainability Leaders are protectors of their surroundings’ landscapes and progressive stewards of biodiversity.
• Community: Sustainability Leaders nurture relationships, empower economic growth and enrich communities through health and education programs. They ensure equal employment opportunities for residents at all levels of hierarchy and champion personal growth among their teams. They buy from local farmers and artisans and encourage guests to do the same. Sustainability Leaders have launched impactful social programs focused on education, health, and climate change to enrich local lives.
• Culture: Sustainability Leaders protect and celebrate the local history and tradition of their destination through education and philanthropy. They provide educational and authentic experiences for guests to immerse themselves in local culinary, art and spiritual traditions. They honor the history of their destination and are committed to protecting buildings and sites of cultural, archaeological and spiritual significance.

Explore all of LHW’s Sustainability Leaders and look for the badge denoting the celebrated Sustainability Leaders throughout LHW.com.

The growing collection of LHW’s Sustainability Leaders include:

About Leading Hotels of the World
Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, LHW is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW. Since then, the Company has carefully curated distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is filled of exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every experience. LHW hoteliers are artisans of hospitality whose expertise, commitment to excellence, and individual flair allows them to create story-worthy moments for their guests. And it is these authentic, individualized experiences combined with the warm hospitality and high-touch service they provide that keeps discerning travelers returning again and again. LHW’s collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and uncommon experiences, enhanced by LHW’s tiered guest loyalty program Leaders Club. From converted former palaces, and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps – and beyond – explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments. For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.

About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation. The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including UN agencies, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

About Vireo Srl
Vireo is a Certification Body that was established in 2010, located in Padova, in the northeastern region of Italy. With a primary focus on sustainability, the range of services of the Vireo Srl is designed to assist companies and organizations across various industries in implementing sustainable management practices for their businesses and effectively conveying their commitment to sustainability. Vireo offers sustainability certifications across diverse sectors. These certifications encompass FSC® and PEFC chain of custody certifications for the wood and paper value chains, MSC® and ASC® certifications for the fishery sector, as well as ISO certifications (9001-14001-45001) applicable to various business sectors. In 2018, Vireo became the second Certification Body in the world to attain accreditation from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for Hotels and Tour Operators. Furthermore, in 2019, Vireo received GSTC accreditation for Destinations. Operating on a global scale, Vireo relies on a robust network of partnerships to extend its reach and impact. Visit: www.vireosrl.it/en/

About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Visit: www.greenglobe.com

About Green Key Global
Green Key Global is the leading international environmental certification body offering standardized programs and resources, designed specifically for the hotel and meetings industries. Best-in-class third-party certification programs Green Key Eco-Rating and Green Key Meetings, leverage corporate social responsibility and support sustainable initiatives across the industry to benefit the environment and improve fiscal performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental self-assessment, Green Key Global awards lodging facilities a rating from 1 to 5 Keys (5 Keys being the highest attainable). Green Key Global strives to educate members on the value these activities have on a broader environmental, social, and economic level. Visit: www.greenkeyglobal.com

About Travelife for Accommodation
Travelife for Accommodation is an internationally recognised accommodation sustainability programme that certifies hotels of all sizes around the world. Travelife’s >GSTC recognised standard is one of the most comprehensive and robust accommodation sustainability certifications, with requirements covering all areas of sustainability such as the environment, greenhouse emissions, fair labour, human rights, child safeguarding and animal welfare. Both travellers and travel companies can have confidence that a Travelife Certified accommodation provider has had their work in these areas independently checked and verified following a full onsite audit of the property. Travelife certification also answers to growing consumer and travel trade expectations around sustainability and climate change. Guests staying in a Travelife Certified accommodation can be sure that the hotel is committed to protecting human rights, supporting communities, reducing emissions and stress on local resources in their destinations. Visit: www.travelifestaybetter.com.

For more information visit:
www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.

Source: Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.

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