24 September 2024
Our Green Heritage: 50 Years, 50 Sustainable Initiatives of Aitken Spence Hotels
As Aitken Spence Hotels marks its 50th anniversary, we reflect on a legacy that goes beyond hospitality excellence. Over the past five decades, we have been dedicated to sustainable tourism, integrating eco-friendly practices and community-focused initiatives into the very core of our operations. From pioneering green architecture and energy conservation to supporting local communities and biodiversity, our journey has been one of continuous innovation and responsible stewardship.
In this special feature, we are proud to share “50 Sustainable Initiatives” that underscore our commitment to creating a positive impact. Each initiative represents a step towards a more sustainable future, echoing our promise to protect and preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the destinations we call home. Join us as we celebrate our 50-year milestone with a renewed pledge to sustainability, showcasing the actions that have defined our past and will shape our future
Environmental Initiatives
- 7R Initiative: An extension of the 3R waste elimination process of reducing, recycling, and reusing solid waste to incorporate, reject, replace, reclaim, and repair with the goal of achieving zero waste to landfill.
- Single-Use Plastic Elimination: Successful elimination of several gust facing single-use plastic waste streams.
- Energy Efficiency: Implementation of energy-efficient systems by upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems and use of renewable energy sources like Solar PV.
- Biomass Gasifiers: Replacement of diesel fueled boilers with renewable biomass such as Grilicidia and cinnamon wood at Heritance Tea Factory and Heritance Kandalama.
- Water Conservation: Adoption of water-saving technologies across all properties.
- Reduction in Harmful Chemicals: Decreased use of harmful chemicals by setting and maintaining stringent environmental and health and safety standards.
- Environmental Management Systems: Maintenance of over 20 diverse management systems certified under international benchmarks.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Programs to protect local biodiversity around hotel properties.
- Coral Reef Rehabilitation: Programs focused on coral reef rehabilitation, especially in the Maldives.
- Wastewater Treatment: Advanced treatment plants to ensure water is treated before release.
- Organic Farming: Promotion of organic farming practices in local communities.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Preference for locally and sustainably sourced materials.
- Travelife Gold Certification: Achievement of Travelife Gold Certification across our Sri Lankan Heritance resorts.
- Green Globe Certification: Achievement of Green Globe Certification across our Maldives resorts.
- Tree Planting: Large-scale tree planting initiatives to offset carbon emissions.
- LED Lighting: Transition to LED lighting to reduce energy consumption.
- Eco-Friendly Building Design: Incorporation of eco-friendly materials and designs in hotel construction achieving LEED Gold status in all new hotels since 2015.
- Composting: Implementation of composting systems to manage organic waste.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Systems installed to collect and use rainwater efficiently.
- Paperless Operations: Transition towards digital systems to minimize paper use.
- Marine Conservation: Initiatives to protect marine environments, especially around the Maldives resorts.
- Coast Conservation: Initiatives to protect and rehabilitate mangroves and costal environments, especially around the Beruwala and Ahungalla Sri Lanka.
- Sustainable Landscaping: Use of native plants and sustainable landscaping practices.
Social Initiatives
- Local Employment: Over 40% of employees are from the immediate neighborhood, promoting local economic growth.
- Training and Development: Programs to upskill and encourage employees, particularly women, to take on management roles.
- Community Support Programs: Engagement with local communities through education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
- Cultural Preservation: Efforts to preserve and promote local culture and heritage through guest experiences and community interactions.
- Education Support: Scholarships and educational programs for underprivileged children in local communities.
- Industry Education: Open policy of sharing best practices in Sustainability to learn and improve efforts.
- Health Initiatives: Partnerships with local health services to improve community health outcomes.
- Gender Equality: Programs aimed at increasing female participation in the workforce, especially in leadership roles.
- Youth Employment: Providing opportunities for youth employment and vocational training.
- Disaster Relief and preparedness: Active involvement in disaster relief and preparedness efforts in the regions where we operate.
- Supporting Local Artisans: Collaboration with local artisans to supply products, services, and crafts to the hotels.
Governance Initiatives
- Ethical Business Practices: Strict adherence to ethical business practices in all operations.
- Transparency in Reporting: Commitment to transparent sustainability reporting in line with international standards.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Regular engagement with stakeholders to ensure alignment with sustainability goals.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Robust CSR programs focused on long-term community benefits.
- Sustainability Training: Continuous sustainability education and training for all employees.
- Compliance with Global Standards: Compliance with global environmental, social, and governance standards.
- Internal Audits: Regular internal audits to ensure compliance with sustainability policies.
- Health and Safety: Comprehensive health and safety programs for employees and guests.
- Anti-Corruption Measures: Strong anti-corruption policies and practices in place.
- Supply Chain Sustainability: Implementation of sustainability criteria in the selection and management of suppliers including training and partnerships for product development and new market access.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Promotion of a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
- Risk Management: Integrated risk management approach that includes environmental and social risks.
- Sustainable Procurement: Adoption of sustainable procurement policies across all operations.
- Accreditations and Certifications: Maintenance of various sustainability certifications and accreditations.
- Global Initiatives: Aitken Spence Hotels are signatories to the Globel Code of Ethics for Tourism, members of the UN Globel Compact and Women’s Empowerment Principals.
- Sustainable Menus: Introduction of menus that highlight locally-sourced, organic, and sustainably-farmed ingredients.
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