Singapore-headquartered lodging company The Ascott Limited, wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment, has reached Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for half of its eligible global portfolio.
The business is the first hospitality firm in the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan to secure GSTC certification across all eligible properties. Full eligible portfolio certification has also been completed across India, Laos, Europe and Australia. In Indonesia, seven properties are currently certified, with the remainder of the eligible portfolio scheduled to complete certification by the end of 2026. This step will add over 50 locations and bring Ascott’s total certified share past 65 per cent.
The GSTC certification process involves independent audits by accredited certification bodies to assess sustainable management, environmental stewardship, community impact and cultural heritage. Ascott attained GSTC-Committed Status in 2024.
Ms Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment and Managing Director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, said: “Sustainability certification is fast becoming a business differentiator. Travellers increasingly look for trusted credentials when they book, and corporate travel buyers expect them. GSTC certification gives guests confidence in our properties and improves our visibility across booking and distribution channels. It also drives operational efficiency and strengthens the long-term value and resilience of our portfolio.”
“This milestone reflects the commitment of our teams around the world and the strong support from our property owners and partners. It shows that doing well and doing good go hand in hand, creating value for our guests, owners and the communities where we operate,” she added.
Ascott’s operational strategy is driven by its Ascott CARES framework, which includes the Ascott CarbonClear Initiative established in 2024 to support its goal of Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050. The firm displays certification status on its DiscoverASR.com platform, with nearly 70 per cent of properties publishing carbon and water footprints.
Specific regional measures include Quest in Australia certifying over 90 properties through Accessible Accommodation, while associates completed 498 volunteer hours and gathered 2,400kg of food for Foodbank Australia. In India, Somerset Greenways Chennai introduced an automated water bottling facility, eliminating more than 168,000 single-use plastic bottles annually. In the Philippines, local teams planted over 500 native trees with Rural Rising, converted a former Payatas waste site into a park and gathered more than 600kg of waste during river clean-ups.
Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC, said: “Congratulations to Ascott on reaching this important milestone in its journey toward full certification by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. This achievement reflects Ascott’s sustained commitment to integrating the GSTC Standards across its global operations and demonstrates how a long-term sustainability strategy can translate into measurable progress. We value our continued collaboration with Ascott and look forward to seeing further progress toward its 2028 goal.”
