Melia Hotels prioritise sustainable and responsible hospitality

May 19, 2022

As Meliá Hotels International continues to expand globally, they are committed to working towards a new sustainable and responsible hospitality model.

Meliá was recently named the second most sustainable hotel company in the world in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), the world’ most comprehensive sustainability assessment, which ranks more than 10,000 companies across all industries. In 2019 and 2020, Meliá ranked first in the global hotel industry, and in 2021 maintained its leadership in Europe and Spain.

Gabriel Escarrer, Meliá Chief Executive notes “as we continue to expand our presence globally we are committed to working towards a new sustainable and responsible hospitality model, increasing the contribution of the industry to society and helping protect the planet. Our company is now seen as a benchmark for sustainability around the world.”

Meliá properties throughout Asia have embraced core sustainability principles by reducing or entirely eliminating single-use plastics and implementing energy and water conservation measures.

Individual Meliá properties are also rolling out environmental programs with efforts to create a more circular hotel economy and to help the environment through collaborative projects.

The 260-key urban hotel Meliá Chiang Mai (pictured above), which celebrated a grand opening in April, launched with a ‘360° Cuisine’ concept. Dishes served in the dining outlets include produce from the hotel’s organic farm. After every possible part of each ingredient is used in the kitchen, leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Under the program, the hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help improve sustainability and encourage ethical production. Meliá Chiang Mai has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a nearby organic farm, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa.

In Vietnam, Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat (pictured above) follows a similar philosophy. A range of produce is grown in the property’s Balansa organic garden and used in the restaurant, spa, and the staff canteen. Leftovers are returned to the earth. Each day the property composts approximately 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of organic and biodegradable waste.

Meliá Koh Samui, a beachfront property in Thailand, is also focusing on sustainable agriculture. They have added a four-acre organic garden that will do more than just supply the kitchen with an abundance of fresh produce. The garden will be a site for learning and connection. One of the long term goals is to help educate people of the importance of cultivating the land sustainably, through hands-on farming experiences and cooking classes.

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort, along Vietnam’s Southern Coast, started their Spice Garden in response to a shortage of vegetables during the ongoing lockdown but the project has grown to encompass a wide variety of different herbs and vegetables. Like Meliá Koh Samui they have plans in the works to roll out a range of fun, free gardening activities for guests, such as painting pots, flower puzzling, leaf crafts, and making herb-infused essential oils.

Eight Meliá properties throughout Southeast Asia from Meliá Kuala Lumpur to Meliá Bali, as well as Meliá Danang, Meliá Hanoi, Meliá Ho Tram, and Sol by Meliá Phu Quoc (all in Vietnam), have worked with hygiene and cleaning solutions company Diversey on the “Soap for Hope” project.

The hotel soap recycling initiative helps save lives in disadvantaged communities by improving hygiene practices, while also creating livelihoods and minimising the soap waste created by hotels. Local people are taught to use a cold-press method, which requires no electricity or water and takes under 10 minutes, to recycle used soap from hotels into reconstituted bars. The fresh soap is then distributed to communities lacking soap or sanitation.

Meliá is also doing its best to ensure their reach ripples further afield. In February, Meliá was named a “Supplier Engagement Leader” by CDP, an international organisation specialising in reporting environmental impact. The hotel group achieved the highest rating in the Supplier Engagement Rate (SER) category in CDP’s annual Climate Change survey. In addition to reducing the emissions Meliá hotels generate directly, Meliá Hotels International works with its suppliers towards a reduction of emissions within the supply chain. The hotel company also has a mandatory Supplier Code of Ethics that ensures the alignment of suppliers with the sustainability commitments made by the sustainably-minded hotel group.

Ignacio Martin, Managing Director Southeast Asia at Meliá Hotels International adds “everyday should be Earth Day. Prioritising sustainability is something we’ve been weaving deeper into the fabric of our company, regardless of what day it is.”

Images from top: Meliá Chiang Mai has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a nearby organic farm, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs; Dishes served in Melia Chiang Mai's dining outlets include produce from the hotel’s organic farm; The Balansa organic garden at Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat

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