The ESG Certification, a collaborative initiative by the Malaysian Association of Hotels, SGS Malaysia, and Saimatrix Integrated, aims to provide comprehensive guidelines and measurable checklists for sustainable practices in the sector. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Luciano Mortula-LGM
The Malaysian hospitality industry is embarking on a transformative
journey towards sustainable tourism with the launch of a pioneering ESG
(Environmental, Social, and Governance) Certification for hotels and
resorts.
Unveiled last week in Petaling Jaya, this collaborative initiative by
the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), SGS Malaysia, and Saimatrix
Integrated aims to provide comprehensive guidelines and measurable
checklists for sustainable practices in the sector.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the
ESG Certification for Hotels & Resorts provides clear guidelines and
a comprehensive, measurable checklist for sustainable tourism
practices. By adopting these standards, hotels and resorts can operate
in an environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and well-governed
manner, aligning with Malaysia’s 2030 vision for sustainable tourism.
The Memorandum of Understanding signing between Malaysian Association of Hotels, SGS Malaysia, and Saimatrix Integrated.Endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the
ESG Certification aligns with Malaysia's National Tourism Policy
2020-2030, which envisions establishing the nation as a leading
eco-friendly destination globally.
“This certification is designed to set a new standard in sustainable
practices and become a benchmark within our industry, aligning perfectly
with Malaysia’s National Tourism Policy of 2020-2030,” said Datin
Christina Toh, president, Malaysian Association of Hotels.
With over 1,000 plus member hotels, Toh hopes to inspire properties
to adopt the ESG certification for best practice and strengthen
Malaysia’s reputation as a leading eco-friendly destination.
The National Tourism Policy (DPN) 2020-2030 aims to revitalise
Malaysia's tourism industry with a focus on Competitiveness,
Sustainability and Inclusiveness. Aligned with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), this policy seeks to position
Malaysia as a top ecotourism destination globally and secure a spot
among the world's top 10 tourism destinations in arrivals and receipts.
Audits a key step towards ESG Certification
Saimatrix Integrated's managing director, Dr. Balan Balasundram,
explained the meticulous process involved. “We begin with educating all
staff and personnel of hotels and resorts on the fundamentals of ESG. We
know some hotels have started their own processes, such as energy
saving, waste management… We will guide properties to ensure these are
aligned with the UNSDGs criteria, tracking their progress and get them
ready for certification by SGS Malaysia.”
The entire process, he said, will take between eight to 12 months with certification validity of three years.
SGS and MAH will release the cost and training structure at a later
date. For now, costs will depend on the number of rooms, categorised
into low, medium, and high-capacity hotels.
To support hotels and resorts on this ESG journey, a series of free
webinars will be conducted on 10-11 July and 17-18 July. These webinars
will provide insights into the certification process, its significance,
and the tangible benefits of participation.
Source: Travel Weekly Asia