The Ascott Limited Philippines: Leading the Way in Sustainability
Manila, Philippines – As a leading international lodging owner-operator, The Ascott Limited takes pride in championing sustainability and minimizing environmental impact across every facet of its operations, with 17 properties spanning five distinguished brands—Ascott, Oakwood, Somerset, Citadines, and lyf—the hospitality group remains dedicated to creating exceptional stays that align with the values of our eco-conscious guests.
Our rapid expansion is driven by a passionate community of hoteliers who embrace innovation, deliver outstanding service, and prioritize sustainable practices. Guided by the Ascott CARES framework, anchored by five fundamental pillars—Community, Alliance, Environment, and Supply Chain—Ascott has implemented a wide range of initiatives that have positively impacted the environment and local communities. Together, Ascott strives to redefine modern hospitality while contributing to a greener, more responsible future for the industry in 2025 and beyond.
Community Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
One of the cornerstones of Ascott’s sustainability efforts is its commitment to community engagement and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Over the past year, Ascott Limited Philippines has conducted several impactful CSR initiatives, from curated workshops to special outreach programs designed to promote the tangible improvement of the selected individuals and communities visited.
680+ Kids Benefited from CSR Visits—A major highlight for the hospitality group was its partnership with SOS Children’s Village. Last December, the non-profit brought festive joy and familiar care to children through a series of fun yet educational activities, enriching their Christmas season with fun and cheer together with enthused volunteers from the Ascott Philippines.
The Ascott CARES council also consistently collaborates with renowned and beloved non-profit organizations, such as Gawad Kalinga (GK), and has conducted multiple community visits that have positively impacted the lives of over 680 children. These visits included educational programs, health and wellness programs, and the distribution of essential supplies, ensuring that the children have access to the resources they need to thrive.
900+ Employee Volunteers—These initiatives and the positive changes they bring about are largely attributed to the dedicated and enthusiastic employees of Ascott. With over 900 employee volunteers nationwide, from Metro Manila to the VisMin region, each member’s active participation is a testament to their commitment to giving back to the largest Filipino community.
Environmental Sustainability
The hospitality group also emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability. Implementing initiatives that aim to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint and promote active and conscious sustainability-focused actions, Ascott leads the charge in adapting the latest innovations to the best environmentally conscious practices.
13 GSTC-Certified Properties Including Corporate Office: Ascott consistently commits to sustainability, and it has achieved Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for 13 of its properties, including its corporate office. This certification recognizes Ascott’s adherence to rigorous sustainability standards and efforts to minimize negative environmental impact, while actively pushing the agenda for positive change with preserving our environment and improving our surrounding communities in mind.
2,000+ Kilos of Plastic Donated to The Plastic Flamingo (PLAF): To combat plastic pollution, Ascott donated over 2,000 kilos of plastic to the Plastic Flamingo (PLAF), an organization dedicated to recycling plastic waste and transforming it into useful products.
PHP 4 Million Revenue Acquired for Sustainability Events: Through robust and strategic partnerships with various organizations, such as the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Philhost, Le Conference, Bleue, and Manila Bulletin, Ascott has generated PHP 4 million in revenue from sustainability events. These funds have been reinvested into furthering Ascott’s sustainability efforts.
100% Participation in World Clean Up Day and World Environmental Education Day: Demonstrating a collective commitment to environmental stewardship, all Ascott’s properties participated in World Clean Up Day and World Environmental Education Day. These events involved community clean-ups, tree-planting activities, environmental education workshops, and awareness campaigns.
500 Trees Planted During the “Seeds of Hope” Event: Traditional tree lighting parties and gatherings usually mark the holiday season. For hospitality company The Ascott Limited Philippines, however, it welcomed the festive December by planting 500 trees in Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod Cities in a green drive it dubbed “Seeds of Hope”. This initiative contributes to reforestation efforts and helps combat climate change and promote biodiversity, thanks to the participation of the 200 volunteers.
100% Participation During Earth Hour: All of Ascott’s properties participated in Earth Hour. This global event encourages individuals and organizations to turn off non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about energy conservation and climate change.
Sustainable Infrastructure and Operations
At the core of Ascott’s operations is a stalwart dedication to sustainability, seamlessly integrated through innovative practices. From harnessing renewable energy via solar panels to reduce carbon emissions, to advocating and installing EV charging stations that promote eco-friendly transportation, Ascott is committed to minimizing environmental impact.
Our water conservation efforts include repurposing air conditioner condensation for irrigation and outdoor cleaning. At the same time, motion and sound sensors optimize lighting and air conditioning usage, enhancing energy efficiency.
By sourcing fresh, locally produced goods, we strengthen community ties and reduce carbon footprints, offering our guests a genuine connection to regional culture and cuisine, these are just some of the several operational and supply chain practices that are actively being followed and improved by The Ascott Limited Philippines in collaboration with the Ascott CARES council
75% of Operating Properties Have Installed EV Charging Stations: In support of the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), 75% of Ascott Limited Philippines’ operating properties have installed EV charging stations. This initiative supports sustainable transportation and provides convenience for guests who prefer electric vehicles.
100% Compliance on the Supply Chain Code of Conduct: The Ascott Limited Philippines is dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards across its supply chain. All of Ascott’s properties have achieved 100% compliance with the Supply Chain Code of Conduct, ensuring that suppliers adhere to ethical and sustainable practices.
Ambitious Plans for 2025: Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence
As The Ascott Limited Philippines celebrates its 25th anniversary, the company aims to reach new heights and embark on new horizons with its sustainability efforts in 2025. Building on the past year’s successes, Ascott has set ambitious targets to amplify its positive impact on the environment and communities.
Year 2 of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Multi-Site Audit: The Ascott Limited Philippines will continue its commitment to sustainability by participating in the second year of GSTC multi-site audit. This ongoing certification process will ensure that all properties maintain and improve their adherence to global sustainability standards.
Participation at the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards (WSTHA): Ascott will showcase its sustainability achievements on the global stage by participating in the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. This participation will highlight The Ascott Limited Philippines’ dedication to sustainable tourism and hospitality practices.
Continuous Partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Diversey: Ascott will continue its fruitful partnerships with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Diversey, collaborating on initiatives that promote environmental conservation and sustainable business practices.
Switch to Inverter Appliances and Use of Hybrid Cars: To further reduce its carbon footprint, Ascott Limited Philippines plans to switch to energy-efficient inverter appliances across its properties and incorporate hybrid cars into its transportation fleet. These changes will contribute to energy savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Expansion of EV Charging Stations: Building on the success of its existing EV charging stations, Ascott aims to achieve 100% installation of EV charging stations across all operating properties, supporting the growing demand for sustainable transportation options.
Enhanced Community Engagement: Ascott will continue to expand its CSR initiatives, aiming to benefit even more children and communities through educational programs, health and wellness activities, and essential supply distributions.
Increased Participation in Global Environmental Events: Ascott will maintain its 100% participation rate in global environmental events such as World Clean Up Day, World Environmental Education Day, Earth Hour, reinforcing its commitment to raising awareness and taking action on environmental issues.
Over the years, The Ascott Limited Philippines has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to sustainability, achieving milestones that reflect its profound commitment to the environment and society. From impactful community service initiatives with effects still felt to this day, to certifications of recognition of renowned sustainability partners, recognized for their expertise and authority in the industry, the organization has seamlessly integrated eco-conscious practices into its operations, underscoring its resolve to promote environmental responsibility.
As a leader in sustainable hospitality, the hospitality group remains steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional guest experiences while embracing environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Recent accomplishments highlight Ascott’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and ambition to build a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come, while future plans aim to raise the already high bar, assuring that Ascott Philippines will remain ever conscious of the importance of sustainable practices in all of its facets.
Additional Photo
