Imagine walking into a lush garden with bespoke architectural features peeking through the foliage and diffused natural light streaming overhead. Except, this garden is actually in the lobby of a grand hotel. In this episode, we talk to Phil Smith, the General Manager at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, the country's first garden-in-a-hotel. We discuss the various sustainability initiatives of the property (including the forest in the lobby that acts as a carbon sink and air purification system), how to train and work with a sustainability team to promote more innovation, how to create measurable impact, and what the future holds for general managers looking to improve the sustainability standing of their properties. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore is part of Global Hotel Alliance and of the Green Collection, a carefully curated portfolio of over 200 hotels, resorts and palaces in the GHA DISCOVERY programme committed to creating a more sustainable future. Watch the conversation here, on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Listeners are encouraged to stay updated by subscribing to the Sustainability Kiosk newsletter and to explore further learning opportunities mentioned in the show notes. This episode is part of the podcast series "Hotel Sustainability Stories #BeyondCOP28," featuring sustainability stories from participating Green Collection hotels. Hosted by Radhika Arapally, this episode celebrates the first anniversary of the Green Collection hotels by Global Hotel Alliance, highlighting their journey and achievements in sustainability over the past year. We also explore the positive impact that the Green Collection is having on the environment and local communities. Here are some of the key takeaways: GHA is working with its member hotels to implement several sustainability initiatives The Green Collection is having a positive impact on the environment and local communities. GHA has seen members paying +85% more and staying +13% longer at The Green Collection hotels. If you want to learn more about sustainable travel, listen to the full episode! Hospitality is witnessing change because of climate change, and we all must do our bit for the next generation. As we share these stories, we uncover the rationale, of real change makers committing resources to reducing emissions. We encourage hoteliers to share stories and not just about reducing plastics in the operations, or it's not about reducing food waste. Don’t get me wrong. These things are important, but it's not the whole picture. We want to hear about the holistic sustainability management practices they have implemented to benefit the people, planet, place and prosperity and share these with our listeners. Show notes: Website: https://sustainabilitykiosk.com/podcast/parkroyal-collection-marina-bay-singapore-phil-smith/Phil Smith: https://www.hospitalitynet.org/appointment/79027403.htmlPARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay.html Sustainability at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay/sustainability.htmlGlobal Hotel Alliance (GHA): https://www.ghadiscovery.com/about-ghaGHA Green Collection: https://www.ghadiscovery.com/explore-green-collectionGSTC Certification: https://www.panpacific.com/en/newsroom.html#/pressreleases/pan-pacific-hotels-group-is-the-first-singapore-hotel-group-to-attain-prestigious-gstc-multi-site-certification-for-sustainable-tourism-for-all-eight-of-its-properties-in-singapore-3306729Singapore Tourism Board (STB): https://www.visitsingapore.com/en/
