#42 | 26/09/2024

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We are super proud to be media partners for GSTC2024 Singapore Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, and look forward to bringing you all the news during the conference in November. You can find out more about the conference and registration details in our story below.

Big news this week is Travalyst acquiring Weeva and appointing Julie Cheetham as COO. The announcement was made at New York Climate Week along with Travalyst's five year vision.

We also bring you a discussion with Billy Hughes, area general manager for UK and Ireland The Ascott Limited. We talked about how different brands manage sustainability, energy management systems in UK properties, water usage and more. See the Q&A at the bottom of the newsletter.

SilverDoor's Partner Engagement Day had lots of discussions around sustainability and key trends have emerged with SilverDoor's clients citing they are increasingly opting for suppliers which have sustainability data at their fingertips.

Until next time,

Felicity Cousins
Editor, Sustainable Hotel News

Image supplied by the GSTC

SilverDoor, the serviced apartment agent, has hosted its fifth annual Partner Engagement Day covering topics including sustainability, data and technology innovation. 180 stakeholders and partners, including corporate travel and relocation industry representatives, attended the day which involves panels and discussions on key trends and topics impacting the sector. The conversation addressed sustainability, leveraging and integrating technology into global programmes and how to effectively utilise data and reporting to make strategic decisions. Key points discussed included: Sustainability data – both demand for and its availability – is accelerating in line with increased focus on Scope 3; Accessibility and understanding needs to keep pace with this demand and availability; Likewise, whilst cost is still driving purchasing, programmes and policy decisions, sustainability is becoming a growing part of RFPs and there is increased demand for sustainability credentials from across the supply chain; Growing demand for live availability but buyers are also working directly with account managers across the supply chain to negotiate better rates and packages.

Travalyst, the not-for-profit global coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology, has acquired Weeva. The announcement was made during Climate Week in New York with Travalyst also laying out its five year vision, including its initiative to centralise the collection and distribution of sustainability data to help travellers make informed decisions about their trips. Weeva, the sustainability management tool for hotels, closed for business in July. Founded in 2021 the idea for Weeva was for hotels to have a “sustainability officer in their pocket”. Travalyst will integrate the platform into its next phase of work and it also announced an expansion of its leadership team with two executive hires. Julie Cheetham joins the Travalyst team as chief operations officer. Cheetham has more than 20 years experience as a sustainability leader and was part of the initial group of thought leaders to found Weeva. As CEO she grew the business into a multi-award-winning platform used in 86 countries. Amina Razvi joins the team as chief partnerships and development officer. Razvi has been a trailblazer in the global apparel and textile industry, known for driving the adoption of the Higg Index and cultivating industry collaboration and change whilst CEO at Sustainable Apparel Coalition (now Cascale)

Sustainable Hotel News is an official media partner for GSTC2024 Singapore Global Sustainable Tourism Conference taking place in Sentosa in November. The conference will take place from November 13 to 16, 2024, in the sustainable destination of Sentosa, Singapore. Both Singapore and Sentosa have achieved GSTC-Certified status as sustainable destinations from a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

BCD Travel has achieved the Platinum rating from the EcoVadis sustainability assessment for the fifth consecutive year. According to the travel management company (TMC) this means it maintains its position in the top 1 per cent of more than 130,000 assessed companies in more than 180 countries across 220 industries. The assessment methodology is based on international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000.

Green Tourism, the sustainability certification for the tourism and hospitality sector, has formed a strategic partnership with the UK’s technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, Travel Counsellors. The collaboration aims to help Travel Counsellors’ direct contract hotels to gain Green Tourism’s internationally recognised sustainability certification. Green Tourism’s standard, is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and is also now compliant with the Travalyst coalition criteria, which aims to create industry alignment and consistency in the sustainability certifications shown on travel booking platforms.

Sustainable Hotel News caught up with Billy Hughes, area general manager UK & Ireland The Ascott Limited. The Ascott Limited is a Singaporean real estate and lodging company and a subsidiary of CapitaLand, which has released its 2023 Global Sustainability Report which includes some fascinating innovations in sustainability for the built environment. Hughes is at the forefront of Ascott’s UK & Ireland operations. He oversees a diverse portfolio, including The Cavendish Hotel, a four-star property located in the heart of Mayfair, which is soon to be re-branded under The Crest Collection. His portfolio also includes five Citadines Aparthotels in central London, Quest Aparthotel in Liverpool, and the soon-to-be-opened Mount Royal Hotel in Edinburgh and The Grand Hotel in Leicester under The Unlimited Collection.

👉 See more Q&As here 👈

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