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Sustainable Hospitality's Hardest Challenges
Key Insights from AST Forum in Manila.
Read time: 5 minutes
Welcome to the weekly AST Briefing.
It was inspiring to witness firsthand the dynamism and passion that unfolded at the recent Asia Sustainable Travel (AST) Forum in Manila.
The event was marked with a sense of responsibility and eagerness as industry leaders and enthusiasts gathered, sharing insights, experiences, and visions for a greener, more responsible future for travel.
The impact of climate change was heightened as, just two hours before the forum, a fire broke out at the open car parking area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3— right across from our venue, Savoy Hotel Manila—destroying at least nineteen vehicles.
The fire was suspected to have been caused by a grass fire. Currently, the Philippines is facing a record-breaking heat index ranging between 42°C and 47°C.
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Sustainability in Motion: Key Insights from AST Forum in Manila
Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (L) and Susan Santos de Cardenas, Southeast Asia Partner & Representative for Green Destinations (R)
The AST Forum - Manila didn't just serve as a platform for dialogue but as a catalyst for meaningful action.
It reminded us, and we believe everyone else at the forum, why we got into this in the first place: to make a difference, one sustainable step at a time.
As Den Navarro, Savoy Hotel Manila’s General Manager, expressed during his welcome message, “Today marks a significant milestone as we convene to discuss and learn about the future of sustainability in travel. As we engage in meaningful conversations and deliberations, may this meeting be a catalyst for profound change, laying the foundation for a successful and impactful sustainability journey for all stakeholders in the tourism industry.”
Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR), the largest homegrown hotel operator in the Philippines, with 8,500 room keys across seven brands, shared innovative ideas and actionable insights driving MHR towards greener operations.
Susan Santos de Cardenas, Southeast Asia Partner & Representative for Green Destinations, led a session on the future of hospitality, covering the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.
Here are the key takeaways and moments of enlightenment from the AST Forum - Manila. Let’s consider how these insights can help us integrate sustainability as a core component of hospitality business models and our daily lives.
The shift towards a sustainable lifestyle begins on an individual level.
Embrace the fundamental role of people in sustainability.
Champion the role of industry collaboration.
Amplify sustainability through impactful partnerships and community engagement.
Celebrate and promote local culture.
You can create green spaces within an urban setting.
Focus on "doables" and celebrate small achievements.
Commit to authenticity and avoid greenwashing.
Navigate the challenge of balancing profitability and sustainability.
Have the courage to champion a hospitality homegrown brand.
Spread good practice stories.
Go deeper into each of the key takeaways on our website.
We acknowledge our valued partner, Weeva, for their instrumental support in AST Forum - Manila.
How do you know if what you're doing is any good?
Weeva is the all-in-one tool for any hotel looking to measure, manage and meet their goals of operating sustainably.
To learn more about Weeva, please check out our interview with Weeva’s Managing Director Julie Cheetham here. When you’re ready, book an introductory call with a Weeva Business Development Specialist here.
As an AST Briefing subscriber, you get a special 10% discount on your Weeva license purchase with the code AST10.
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