The attendees and speakers gather around for a photo .

Eco-STEPS is dedicated to promoting tourism as a force

BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

Eco-STEPS Malaysia wishes to continue and educate this practice within the hospitality industry- one of the largest industries in the world , through their sustainable tourism initiatives .

Eco-STEPS ( Sustainable Tourism & Environmental Protection Society ) Malaysia is an industry-led registered society led by the Founder and President , Kingston Khoo , with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry .

They aspire to transform Malaysia ’ s tourism landscape under the global trend of ESG ( Environmental , Social , and Governance ). Eco-STEPS is dedicated to promoting tourism as a force for good , acknowledging the industry ’ s responsibility in the face of environmental , cultural , and social changes .

On Jun 6 , 2024 , Eco-STEPS had an event at the AICB Centre of Excellence in KL on “ Sustainable Horizons : Mapping the Path in Hospitability ,” where credible hospitality leaders explored the future of the hospitality industry and sustainable industries in Malaysia . Four speakers were present at the event .

EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Booking . com ( part-organiser of the event ) Cluster Head Branavan Aruljothi noted that modern travellers seek experiences aligned with their values .

“ Travelers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their trips ,” he said . “ For example , 60 per cent of Southeast Asian travellers prefer cooler destinations due to global warming , and 84 per cent of APAC travellers emphasise trying local foods , highlighting cultural sustainability .”

Branavan said that according to their findings , travellers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their trips .

He also believes that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a movement that tomorrow ’ s travellers are leading .

“ As service providers , we are vital in enabling these sustainable practices . By making sustainable travel accessible and straightforward , we can empower travellers to experience the world responsibly .

“ Sustainability encompasses everything from culture , art , preservation , transport , to food , and it is a movement we should not be left behind in ,” Branavan concluded .

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

Jasline Ng , a Sustainability Consultant from Greenview , a Singaporean company specialising in ESG and sustainability for the hospitality and tourism sector , outlined four critical components for sustainable success : a robust team , focused actions , measurement and monitoring , and effective communication with stakeholders .

Jasline mentioned that to address the complexity of sustainability , Greenview developed the Greenview Potter , an online sustainability measurement system aggregating insights from client needs over the years .

“ A successful sustainability program is multi-faceted , with many critical components : establishing a robust team with representation from all departments ,

Luigi Mazzaglia

Daniyal Ng

Kingston Khoo

Branavan Aruljothi

Jasline Ng

prioritising actionable steps , and consistently measuring and monitoring progress .

“ Plus , certifications are crucial . They demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices , like eliminating single-use plastics and opting for green-friendly ones , like rice straws ,” said Jasline .

SUSTAINABILITY AND CERTIFICATION

The third speaker , Luigi Mazzaglia ,

Founder and General Manager of Vireo SRL , an Italian certification company that provides Italian and foreign companies with sustainability certification services , discussed the value of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council ( GSTC ) certification .

Mazzaglia mentioned : “ The GSTC certification carries international credibility . Our tourism-based approach covers social , environmental , cultural , and governance aspects , developed through a consensus-driven process . This third-party certification ensures impartiality and rigorous auditing , enhancing its reliability ,” he said , explaining its value .

Mazzaglia added that amidst the complex certification landscape filled with logos and labels , GSTC stood out due to its global recognition and adherence to international standards .

“ While GSTC promotes sustainable tourism , it relies on accredited certification bodies like theirs to conduct audits , ensuring credibility and maintaining industry integrity .

“ In summary , GSTC ’ s international recognition , comprehensive criteria , and reliance on third-party certification make it an ideal choice for navigating sustainability challenges in the tourism sector .”

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

Daniyal Ng , Hotel Manager at The RuMa Hotel & Residences , shared his practical perspective .

A seasoned hospitality professional with an impressive career spanning nearly two decades , his journey boasts a diverse range of roles across renowned brands such as Hilton , Starwood , and Marriott , including his current position as Hotel Manager at The RuMa Hotel & Residences .

“ We started by forming a green team and aligning our efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ),” he explained . Daniyal described the steps to obtain GSTC certification , including a gap analysis , consultant engagement , and staff training .

“ Education and guest engagement are vital to our success ,” he noted , detailing various sustainable practices such as eliminating singleuse plastics and implementing water filtration systems . “ During the pandemic , the deserted streets left a lasting impact , emphasising the need for resilience and adaptability . While many took up new skills , I focused on maintaining hotel operations and ensuring sustainability . Reports and analyses , like those from Booking . com , spurred my interest in sustainability , leading to my introduction to the GSTC ,

“ Looking ahead , I believe monthly green training sessions , quarterly selfaudits , and guest interaction ensure sustainability remains a core focus . Initiatives like excess food collection , plastic elimination , and community programs highlight these commitments too ,” Daniyal concluded .

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Kingston concluded the event , stating : “ Eco-STEPS Malaysia is committed to fostering sustainability in tourism . We aim to create awareness and advocate for sustainable practices across the industry . Sustainability is not just an option ; it ’ s our responsibility .” – @ green