Meliá Hotels International, which operates 374 hotels in 40 countries on four continents and many convention center facilities, will eliminate all single-use plastics in all its hotels within the year. The move will see plastic bottles, cups, bags, straws and coasters immediately replaced by reusable items, with the elimination saving more than 15 tons of CO2 emissions generated by waste disposal per year.
Over 22 million plastic bottles were disposed of at Meliá Hotels International properties globally during 2017. The decision to eliminate these will significantly reduce plastic pollution from the company, as well as serving to raise awareness of the issue among the 30 million customers who visit Meliá Hotels International properties each year. The company has drawn up a roadmap to replace single-use plastics with biodegradable or environmentally-friendly alternatives before the end of 2018.
Meliá Hotels International has been named one of the world’s leading companies in combating climate change by the “Carbon Disclosure Project” index, due to the group’s exemplary drive toward reducing its impact on the planet. Meliá Hotels International acknowledges the pivotal role the tourism industry plays in the fight against climate change.
Gabriel Escarrer, executive vice president and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, firmly believes in the fundamental role that companies must play in contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and affirmed that the business world, institutions and society in general have to get involved and work together in combating climate change and tackling other major global challenges.
“Great customer experiences have to be compatible with respect for the planet,” Escarrer says. “Plastic pollution is a global challenge which affects all destinations and tourism business depends on the sustainability of destinations, something of which we are very aware at Meliá Hotels International as an international leader in resort hotels. Combating climate change and reducing emissions has been part of our strategy for years, with well-established energy efficiency programs in hotels and agreements with suppliers regarding the exclusive use of renewable energy. The company has also taken further steps toward combating climate change by assuming the commitments defined at the Paris Climate Summit.”
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Meliá Hotels International is one of the largest hotel companies worldwide. The strategic focus on international growth has allowed Meliá Hotels International to be the first Spanish hotel company with presence in key markets such as China, the Arabian Gulf or the U.S., as well as maintaining its leadership in traditional markets such as Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Its high degree of globalization, a diversified business model, the consistent growth plan supported by strategic alliances with major investors and its commitment to responsible tourism are the major strengths of Meliá Hotels International. For more info, visit melia.com.
