In this episode from the 2025 Responsible Hoteliers Summit, Tiffany McGrath hosts Frauke Aoun, General Manager at Affini Tribute Portfolio Residence by Marriott, to explore what authenticity in hotel teams truly means:

✔️ Building trust and transparency amongst hotel teams

✔️ Creating a shared purpose when it comes to turning hotel operations more sustainable

✔️Giving teams a voice in sustainability by engaging them early on in the sustainability process, and ensuring strategies are executed across the entire hotel — not just kept at the leadership level.

Frauke also highlights the importance of bringing teams into decision-making and valuing their feedback to drive real, hotel-wide change.

At Sustainability Kiosk, we help hotels involve their teams in sustainability from the start, so it becomes a shared effort everyone can contribute to. Reach out to us to find out how we can support your hotel.

💡Explore more episodes on the ⁠⁠⁠Sustainability Stories podcasts.

In our latest conversation at Responsible Hoteliers Summit 2025, Tiffany McGrath sat down with Monica Tofilis, Senior Manager - Business Solutions at Intertek Cristal, to explore how assurance and standards can drive genuine, organisation-wide change in hospitality.

Monica reminded us that:

✔️ Sustainability starts at the top, with leaders driving team empowerment, green investments, and training while setting company-wide sustainability goals.

✔️ Having sustainability standards should never be a check-box exercise, but a meaningful framework that embeds responsibility and positive change across every level of the business.

✔️ You can't manage what you don't measure - so measurement of sustainability data is extremely important for goal development and growth.

As a global leader in risk management, safety, and sustainability assurance, Intertek Cristal supports hotels and tourism businesses in building trust through verified best practices and continuous improvement.

Because real progress happens when standards drive action - not just compliance.

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🌿"We are not looking for perfect. Being sustainable is a long process and it can't happen overnight."

Sustainability Kiosk's Tiffany McGrath sat down at the Responsible Hoteliers Summit 2025 with Francesca Bennardo from Sustainability Hive, a Green Key national operator for Qatar, to talk all things Green Key certification for hotels.

Francesca walked us through the certification process and explained how important it is for hotels to gather their sustainability data in order to understand where they currently stand and how they can steer the hotel toward becoming more sustainable.

Green Key auditors like Francesca look for evidence that sustainable practices are implemented consistently, not just planned on paper, and that the hotel is actively fostering a culture of responsibility at every level.

As Francesca emphasised, sustainability doesn’t happen overnight — it requires commitment, persistence, and a willingness to embed change across the entire organisation.

At Sustainability Kiosk, we offer simple, practical support with certification and day-to-day sustainable practices. If you're ready to take your hotel operations in a greener direction, we’re here to help. Get in touch and we’ll guide you through the certification process, making it simple and stress-free

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Welcome to Sustainability Stories podcast!

In this episode, host ⁠Radhika Arapally⁠ and Naureen Ahmed discuss the role of women in hospitality!

Naureen is the founder of Inspiring Women in Hospitality, a global platform dedicated to women in the hospitality industry.

Naureen started Inspiring Women in Hospitality to encourage women, at all levels and roles in the industry to engage in meaningful conversations and build relationships, aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders. She has conducted 13 Round Table sessions in 8 cities, providing visibility and a platform for over 200 women to share their insights.

Naureen shed light on:

💭 The purpose behind Inspiring Women in Hospitality

💭 Advice for Career Growth: Two top tips summarised from interviewing 200 guests on her podcast

💭 Challenges in Speaking up

💭 Common Challenges for Women in Hospitality

💭 Gender Pay Gap and Workforce Representations

✅ From speaking to over 200 inspiring women, Naureen shared a valuable piece of advice with us - "Take ownership of your career and ask for it."

✅ Join Inspire Community to connect with other women in hospitality and learn how to take ownership.

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In this episode of Sustainability Stories, host Radhika Arapally sits down with Mark Swinton, General Manager of Capella Ubud, Bali. They discuss how conservation and wellness are deeply rooted in the hotel and play a big part in the hotel's ethos. Nestled among the trees and discreetly hidden from view, Capella Ubud captivates the imagination of those seeking a truly unique experience with one-bedroom tents and one two-bedroom lodge, each featuring its own private pool.

Mark shares his insights on:

✅ Sustainable initiatives and wellness activities at Capella Ubud

✅ Ensuring energy efficiency for heating and cooling of the accommodation tents, which is integral to sustainable luxury!

✅ The design process and architecture of the hotel lodge

✅ How sustainability and wellness intertwine in a luxury property

✅ Capella's roadmap to achieving the Net Zero

💡 Subscribe and stay updated on sustainability innovations in hospitality by subscribing to our podcast or the newsletter Responsible Hospitality

In this episode of Sustainability Stories, host Radhika Arapally sits down with Manish Jha, General Manager of NH Collection Dubai The Palm, to uncover how the hotel has rapidly accelerated its sustainability journey since opening in February 2023. From earning Green Growth 2050 Platinum Certification to winning Sustainable Hotel of the Year, NH Collection Dubai has set a new benchmark in sustainable hospitality.

Manish shares insights on:
✅ The mindset shift needed for true sustainability
✅ Implementing zero-waste initiatives, including a canteen with no waste bins
✅ Leveraging technology like digital buffet labels & food waste monitoring
✅ Local sourcing and farm-to-table dining at Revo Café
✅ The business case for sustainability investments
✅ Dubai Tourism’s strong push for green initiatives

Can sustainability be a lifestyle rather than a checkbox? Tune in to hear how NH Collection Dubai is making it happen!

💡 Subscribe & stay updated on sustainability innovations in hospitality.

#SustainableHotels #SustainabilityStories #GreenHospitality #ZeroWaste #SustainableDubai

Listen to Kempinski Seychelles' eco-friendly initiatives, from renewable energy to waste reduction, preserving the pristine beauty of the Seychelles Islands - a conversation with Sustainability Champions - Oliver Kuhn together with Akram Alshabini & Ajay Joseph.

In this episode of the Sustainability Stories podcast, we dive into the heart of the Indian Ocean to explore the sustainable practices of Kempinski Seychelles.

Joining us are Oliver Kuhn, General Manager; Akram Alshabini, Hygiene, Health, Safety and Sustainability Manager, and Ajay Joseph, Director of Engineering.

A Commitment to Sustainability

Kempinski Seychelles is not just a luxury resort; it's a beacon of sustainable hospitality. The team is passionate about preserving the pristine beauty of the Seychelles islands while providing world-class guest experiences.

Key Sustainability Initiatives:

• Certification and Standards: The resort has achieved numerous certifications, including the highest level in the Chris Czech sustainability system and compliance with the Seychelles government's sustainability law.

• Energy Efficiency: Kempinski Seychelles has implemented various energy-saving measures, such as solar power, heat recovery systems, and energy-efficient guest room management systems.

• Water Conservation: The resort collects rainwater and recycles wastewater for irrigation and other non-potable uses.

• Waste Reduction: A comprehensive waste management system is in place, including composting, recycling, and the conversion of kitchen oil into biofuel.

• Environmental Education: The resort actively engages with guests and local communities through educational programs, beach clean-ups, and coral reef restoration projects.

Balancing Luxury and Sustainability

One of the biggest challenges for luxury hotels is balancing exceptional guest experiences with sustainable practices. Kempinski Seychelles has successfully navigated this challenge by:

• Involving Guests: Encouraging guests to participate in sustainable activities, such as tree planting and coral reef restoration.

• Local Partnerships: Collaborating with local communities and suppliers to minimize environmental impact.

• Continuous Improvement: Embracing innovation and staying up to date with the latest sustainable technologies and practices.

Looking Ahead

Kempinski Seychelles is committed to further reducing its environmental footprint and inspiring other hotels to follow suit. The team is exploring additional sustainability.