Global Hotel Alliance’s Green Collection Achieves Impressive 150% Growth, Expanding To 472 Sustainable Hotels, Resorts, And Palaces Across The Globe

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The Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), based in the UAE, has revealed impressive growth for its Green Collection. Since its launch in March 2023, the collection has grown by 150%, increasing from 189 properties to 472, encompassing hotels, resorts, and palaces. This swift expansion highlights the growing focus on sustainability within the hospitality sector.

Each property within the Green Collection has earned certification from one of the world’s leading environmental organizations. Notable certification bodies such as EarthCheck, Green Growth 2050, Green Key, and Green Globe are among the 20 recognized organizations, all requiring hotels to meet stringent international sustainability standards. These standards are continuously monitored through regular third-party audits to maintain certification. This achievement showcases a hotel’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, with every Green Collection property actively promoting practices that protect natural resources and support the local communities in which they operate.

The Green Collection, with its wide range of offerings from urban escapes to coastal retreats and business trips to leisure vacations, spans across 60 countries and 260 destinations, covering every region. In Europe, the collection accounts for 81% of GHA’s portfolio, with the Middle East at 58% and Africa at 46%. Spain leads with the most Green Collection hotels (74), followed by Italy (57), Germany (54), and The Netherlands (35). This global distribution underscores the strong commitment to sustainability across major European markets.

In 2024, the Green Collection was strengthened with the addition of three renowned brands: Paramount Hotels, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and Lore Group, each making their debut in the properties to the collection. A total of 25 out of GHA’s 45 brands now have properties included in the Green Collection.

Sustainability is increasingly influencing guest choices, as evidenced by a significant rise in key performance metrics. In 2024, guests at Green Collection hotels stayed 9% longer on average compared to other GHA hotels, with spending per stay increasing by 26%. Furthermore, total stays at Green Collection properties rose by 16% from 2023 to 2024, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable accommodations. Green Collection properties remain a vital part of GHA’s success, generating 71% of the total revenue and accounting for 68% of all nights stayed across the entire GHA portfolio in 2024.

In September 2023, Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) launched a partnership with EarthCheck, the leading scientific organization for benchmarking and certifying sustainable travel and tourism practices. This partnership aligns with GHA’s objective of obtaining EarthCheck Certified status for its Dubai headquarters. To facilitate this, GHA established a dedicated Green Team, composed of departmental champions tasked with advancing the certification process and integrating sustainability practices throughout the organization.

This week, GHA proudly announced that its Dubai office has earned EarthCheck certification, marking a significant achievement in its commitment to environmental and social responsibility. This milestone is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the second anniversary of GHA’s Green Collection and Donate D$ initiatives, further reinforcing its ongoing sustainability efforts.

Here are some examples of sustainability efforts from Green Collection Hotels:

• NH Collection Copenhagen, a luxury hotel housed in a 1960s building, has undergone a complete transformation. The hotel is now at the forefront of sustainability innovation in Denmark, with features such as green plant roofs, seawater cooling, and a climate-adaptive facade. Since 2023, its electricity has been entirely sourced from renewable energy.

• At The Sukhothai Shanghai, sustainability is a core element of its operations. The hotel integrates green architecture with energy-efficient practices, such as a rainwater irrigation system, a rooftop solar power setup for water heating, and the elimination of all plastic bottles from its premises, promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

• Kempinski Seychelles Resort has implemented a variety of sustainable initiatives aimed at reducing resource consumption and promoting biodiversity. These include using locally made products in its spa, installing solar panels on roofs, operating an on-site water treatment plant to recycle water, and engaging in coral planting. The resort also offers tours to educate guests about its marine conservation efforts, demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection.

• The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts are committed to environmental responsibility, sustainable consumption, and resource efficiency. The Leela Palace Bengaluru is predominantly powered by renewable energy, with 90% of its energy coming from wind power. The Leela Palace Udaipur, known for its world-class service, is the only hotel operating electric boats on Lake Pichola. Additionally, in collaboration with Phool, The Leela has initiated a circular economy project by upcycling flowers from its properties into eco-friendly incense products, which also empower women entrepreneurs by training them to create these items.

• One Hundred Shoreditch is working towards becoming a fully sustainable hotel, introducing 100% renewable electricity, energy-efficient air management systems, and a comprehensive recyclable waste management program. Lore Group, dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint, collaborates with expert organizations to lower emissions and implement renewable energy solutions across its properties.

• PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering in Singapore is celebrated for its ‘hotel-in-a-garden’ concept, blending energy-efficient features with advanced eco-friendly technologies. It was named ‘World’s Leading Green City Hotel’ by the World Travel Awards, reinforcing Singapore’s status as a pioneer in sustainable high-rise developments.

• Corinthia Hotels updated its sustainability strategy to align with the latest regulatory requirements. The installation of photovoltaic panels at its properties in Malta, Corinthia Palace and Corinthia St George’s Bay, has led to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, further demonstrating the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability.