Tourexpi
Six
Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a
certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six
Senses properties* underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify
their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental
impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic
benefits for surrounding communities.
Jeff
Smith, Six Senses Vice President of Sustainability, shares, “GSTC Certification
is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification
is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses
properties included in this certification and their sustainability teams, who
work proactively to provide uncompromising hospitality, environmentally
cognizant operations, an outstanding guest experience, and high levels of
engagement among colleagues and the local community.”
The
GSTC Certification is a respected seal of sustainable travel and tourism,
offering an antidote to “greenwashing” in the hospitality industry. The
extensive certification criteria aim to give credibility to sustainability
claims, ensuring they are both measurable and can be upheld through meaningful
action. Certification is based on third-party audits of hotels and corporate
processes by accredited auditors, and is granted for a period of three years,
providing a continuous commitment to improvement and accountability.
Jeff
adds: “Sustainability is ingrained in the Six Senses culture and has been from
the very beginning in 1995. It is an important component of every decision we
make – from the way we run our hotels, to how we design their architecture and
interiors, the amenities and supplies found within them, and our pursuit for
Plastic Freedom, through to the impact we have on the local communities and
ecosystems, and the legacy we leave with guests.”
Turning
criteria into impacts
The
GSTC Criteria verify sustainable practices across four key areas: effective
sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing
cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding
communities.
Dedicated
Sustainability Directors at each Six Senses hotel lead each property’s
net-positive impact. Earth Labs serve as a place dedicated to engagement and
innovation, communicating the work happening on and off site at each property,
for example, marine conservation, forestry or farming initiatives, harnessing
renewable energy from solar or biomass, and bottling drinking water.
To
further support local projects on the ground, each resort allocates a
Sustainability Fund comprising 0.5 percent of total hotel revenue coming
directly from guest bookings that goes towards meaningful and measurable
initiatives outside the walls of the hotel.
Planning
for the planet: effective sustainability planning
Six
Senses aims for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver
certification as a minimum for all new hotels. It has achieved LEED Platinum at
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, the first hotel in Saudi Arabia to be
awarded the highest available accreditation and at Six Senses Vana, India’s
first retreat to have attained this environmental design standard, plus LEED
Gold at Six Senses Rome, within the UNESCO listed-Palazzo Salviati Cesi
Mellini. Issued by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), LEED puts
properties through a rigorous third-party review.
Turning
the tide: reducing negative environmental impacts
Six
Senses has also been making strides towards a future of plastic-free
hospitality through the launch of the Journey to Plastic Freedom Playbook. A
journey which began in the 1990s with guest amenities and drinking water, this
initiative saw Six Senses spearhead a campaign to research and aim to remove
plastic within hospitality. This resulted in 82 tried and tested solutions
across four main operating areas that have been recorded and shared with the
wider hospitality industry.
Authentic
experiences: enhancing cultural heritage
Remote
or urban, Six Senses weaves into the local fabric. Whether joining monks to
light butter lamps; playing archery or celebrating annual tshechu festivals in
Bhutan; learning the art and craft of Sadu weaving, which holds immense
historical and economic significance in Saudi Arabia; or dancing with warriors
while passing around the yaqona in Fiji, Six Senses brings friends and family
together to celebrate local traditions and beliefs. These moments of connection
forge a shared understanding and spirit of togetherness.
People
power: maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities
When
people think of sustainability, they often think of environmental credentials.
But Six Senses also targets social responsibility and local socio-economic
development, starting with a local hiring policy and local sourcing of
products. Resorts incorporate local food and influences, building menus around
them. They purchase local art and artifacts and invite artisans to share local
culture.
To
increase the financial impact, Six Senses also partners with local NGOs,
schools, or hospitals to ensure local services are developed and access to
life’s essentials such as clean water or education is improved. Local skills
training achieves lasting benefits as part of a ripple effect.
Supporting
IHG’s broader sustainability strategy
Six
Senses joins other IHG Hotels & Resorts in the mission to drive positive
change for people, planet and communities, as part of IHG’s ambitious Journey
to Tomorrow plan. Six Senses is a trailblazer in this area, providing
exceptional guest experiences while prioritizing sustainable practices within
the properties and their local communities.
Image Credit: © Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
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