Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, an international benchmark for its responsible tourism model, reveals in the “2023 Year in Review” report its progress in sustainability achieved thanks to the innovative work of Wave of Change. The Mallorcan hotel group thus collects the achievements made in circular economy, blue foods, nature-based solutions, climate action and destination stewardship.
Gloria Fluxà, vice president and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Iberostar Group, wanted to highlight that "our commitment to responsible tourism guides us towards a transformative journey. Success in the application of our vision requires a 360 approach, integrating sustainability in all our processes , adapting to the needs of nature and mitigating risks. An example of this is nature-based solutions, such as the restoration of coral reefs or mangroves to mitigate the impact of hurricanes. These types of collaborations can help To develop proactive solutions, collaboration with local governments can address important infrastructure challenges, and the participation of local communities encourages holistic tourism. Through collective collaboration, we aim to inspire positive change to create a future in the “Let people and the environment prosper.”
Reduction of emissions and commitment to green hydrogen
Iberostar is moving towards carbon neutrality by 2030, a milestone that it intends to achieve twenty years before the global objective set by the industry. Thus, in 2023, compared to 2019, it has managed to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 12% globally: 6% in the Americas region, of which Mexico reports 26%, Brazil 21% , and 32% in the Europe region.
Similarly, the hotel chain has also reduced its energy consumption (kWh) by 6.5% compared to 2019, reaching 6.63% for the hotel in the Americas. The Iberostars hotels in Cozumel (9.38%) and Cancún (10.12%), in Mexico, Costa Dorada (9.36%), in the Dominican Republic, and Rose Hall (12.28%), in Jamaica, have achieved some of the largest reductions in the region through the implementation of best practices in hotels and key investments.
In the search for sustainable energy solutions, the year 2023 was a period of progress for Iberostar. This search was evidenced in the construction of a 1.2 MWp Photovoltaic Plant at the Rose Hall Resort, in Jamaica, collaborating in the production of clean energy for the local hotel. Additionally, the soil conditioning process for two photovoltaic plants in the Dominican Republic began, preparing the ground for expanded renewable energy capacity. In addition to this work in search of electrification, in 2023 the global strategy also included the progressive replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps in several locations in Mexico, collaborating in reducing the carbon footprint.
On the carbon front, in 2024, the focus in Jamaica is on the East End Morrant project in St. Thomas. With the commitment to achieve 8,000 tons of CO2 through mangrove conservation and reforestation, a preliminary report has already been prepared for the site. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being finalized with the University of the West Indies and will establish collaborative activities related to mangrove conservation, reforestation and carbon capture. In addition, a contract was signed for the implementation of the Environmental Impact Study, which will be carried out by the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory at the University of the West Indies.
Less waste destined for landfill
In 2023, the hotel chain has worked to reduce the overall percentage of waste in its hotels. More specifically, thanks to 3R teams and various initiatives, the company managed to reduce waste destined for landfill by 56% compared to 2021.
83% of the fish consumed in Iberostar hotels comes from responsible sources
The data from the report published by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts highlights a new achievement in line with the objective of guaranteeing that 100% of the fish and seafood served in Iberostar hotels is responsible, having already achieved that 83% is responsible, five points above last year's data. Mexico was the first region to reach the goal, reaching 100% responsible consumption of seafood two years ago.
This result also contributes to the broader goal of promoting environmental stewardship in the seafood sector, where the company works with fishing teams in specific destinations to achieve a sustainable local approach. An example of this is Aliança Kirimurȇ in Brazil, which receives Iberostar's collaboration with the group of fishermen and shellfish collectors in the All Saints Bay region, in Brazil. The Kirimurê Alliance focuses on improving the quality and sustainability of seafood production, providing support to 200 families involved in fishing and related activities. 75% of the participants are women, which illustrates the concern for sustainable, environmental and social development. Iberostar's participation has resulted in improvements in processing facilities and distribution channels, contributing to the development of a sustainable fishing industry in Brazil.
Eight coral nurseries for the conservation of environments
In 2023, Iberostar added two new coral nurseries in the Dominican Republic. Thus, the company now has eight nurseries: four in that country, three in Mexico and one in Jamaica. An advance with which the hotel company wants to continue studying the behavior and adaptation of these living beings to climate change and establish a genetic bank of coral species.
Likewise, since the restart of its mangrove restoration program in 2021, the company has planted more than 16,100 mangrove trees of different varieties. In addition, the hotel group has continued to implement local initiatives and collaborations to promote dune restoration in Mexico.
Challenges and challenges for the future
Iberostar has also identified the main challenges to advance the objectives of its 2030 Agenda:
Offset remaining emissions that are not easily achievable by decarbonization through innovative carbon capture projects, with particular attention to blue carbon initiatives. Projects that also give priority to the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable management of ecosystems and the inclusion of the community for its economic benefit.
Continue with the electrification of their hotels to amplify the innovation projects they are carrying out.
Create quality partnerships across the value chain to continue reducing Scope 3 emissions, including aligning with your suppliers on carbon measurement standards and building relationships that foster collaboration with key suppliers.
Promote collaboration and innovation with other companies to jointly face environmental challenges, with the aim of building firm connections that allow maximizing the impact on destinations.