Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the U.A.E.-based collection of independent hotel brands, has launched its Green Collection, which brings together 200 hotels, resorts and palaces operated by GHA hotel brands and is striving to protect the environment.
Each Green Collection property has received at least one certification from an internationally-recognized environmental organization with EarthCheck, Green Growth 2050, Green Key and Green Globe among the 15 certification bodies represented. Each of these organizations requires hotels to meet the highest global standards for sustainability initiatives, with regular audits conducted by third-party groups to retain certification.
For hotels, achieving certification is its long-term pledge to uphold these standards, with each Green Collection property practicing initiatives that preserve the natural environment and benefit local communities in the destinations where they operate.
The Green Collection enables GHA Discovery’s 24 million members to make conscious and responsible travel decisions based on their values and priorities, which include hotel sustainability credentials and minimizing their carbon footprint.
According to the latest report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, 69% of travelers are actively looking for sustainable travel options this year. According to GHA, GHA Discovery members preferred Green Collection properties in 2022, contributing 32% in stays, 39% in nights, 47% in room revenue and 49% in total revenue.
Green Collection represents around 24% of the GHA DISCOVERY portfolio and accounts for half of its brands, from mid-scale to high-end, including Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Avani Hotels & Resorts, Capella Hotels & Resorts, Corinthia Hotels, Elewana Collection, GLO Hotels, JA Resorts & Hotels, Kempinski Hotels, Marco Polo Hotels, NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, Niccolo Hotels, Oaks Hotels Resorts & Suites, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts, Patina Hotels & Resorts, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Resorts & Hotels and The Set Collection.
Geographically diverse, the collection is represented in 44 countries and 112 destinations across all regions. In the Middle East and North Africa, Green Collection properties constitute half of GHA Discovery’s portfolio, while it accounts for 37% and 36% in Africa and Asia, respectively.
Countries that have the highest number of Green Collection hotels are the Netherlands (31 properties, 97% of GHA hotels there), Thailand (16 hotels), the U.A.E. (15 hotels), China (13 hotels), Kenya (10 hotels) and Belgium and Argentina with seven hotels each.
Most GHA brands have achieved certification for each property in their portfolio or are on their way to achieving this goal. Green Collection properties are taking action in line with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria guidelines.
“Across GHA’s 800 properties from 40 brands, located in 100 countries around the globe, there are some world-class examples of practices and initiatives with a positive environmental and social impact, and we are incredibly proud of these efforts, which we celebrate with the launch of Green Collection,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley.
The Green Collection helps GHA reiterate their alignment to the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals, which guide the development of the hospitality industry for a more sustainable future, Hartley said.
To commemorate the launch of the new collection, for every Green Collection hotel booking made on www.ghadiscovery.com or the GHA Discovery mobile app before the end of April and completed by July 31, GHA will donate $5 to the charities it supports as part of its CSR program.
“We are committed to ensuring GHA remains a favorite global brand in hospitality, not only trusted for the high-quality products and services we offer to our hotel brands and GHA Discovery members but the responsible approach we take to delivering them. The launch of Green Collection and our donation contribution are the first of many philanthropic elements we have planned in 2023, aligned to what customers and stakeholders now value most,” Hartley said.