Mandarin Oriental New York has made a significant stride in sustainable tourism by becoming the first hotel in North America to earn the prestigious GSTC Certification. This achievement, awarded by UCSL United Certification Systems Limited, a GSTC-Accredited certification body, underscores the hotel’s dedication to responsible practices and its commitment to the environment.
The GSTC Certification is granted based on the globally recognized GSTC Hotel Criteria, established by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to set benchmarks for sustainable travel and tourism practices. These criteria cover a wide range of aspects, including environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability.
“We congratulate Mandarin Oriental New York on achieving accredited certification, the highest level of assurance of credible validation of hotel sustainability claims. Certified as a sustainable hotel, we hope Mandarin Oriental will inspire others in the region to prioritize sustainability,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
This certification signifies that Mandarin Oriental New York has met stringent requirements and demonstrated its commitment to operating sustainably across various facets of its business. “Achieving GSTC certification is an acknowledgment of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s dedication to sustainability and responsible tourism practices,” says Marcel Thoma, Mandarin Oriental, New York General Manager and Area Vice President, Operations. “Together with Mandarin Oriental, New York’s sustainability committee who worked diligently towards this certification, we are deeply honored and humbled to be the first hotel in North America to receive the esteemed distinction. It reflects our steadfast commitment to being responsible stewards of our environment and community, while continuing to offer unparalleled luxury to our guests. We are also grateful to UCSL for their professionalism and expertise throughout the certification process.”
Sustainability is deeply ingrained in Mandarin Oriental, New York’s daily operations, aligning with the broader sustainability goals of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Earlier this year, the group achieved GSTC-Committed status, demonstrating their dedication to adopting the GSTC Criteria as a global standard for sustainability across all aspects of their operations, including their supply chain and stakeholder partnerships.
Olga Shuvalova, CEO of UCSL, says: “It is an honor to partner with Mandarin Oriental, New York on their sustainability journey. Their dedication to sustainability is a deeply ingrained principle that drives every operational decision while enhancing the exceptional guest experience. As the first hotel in North America to achieve GSTC Certification, they are leading by example and are setting new standards for responsible luxury in the region. We are proud to support such a dedicated team in achieving this important milestone.”
Mandarin Oriental New York’s commitment to sustainability serves as an inspiration to other hotels and tourism businesses in North America and beyond. This achievement showcases the increasing importance of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, demonstrating that it’s possible to provide luxurious experiences while being environmentally conscious.
