Rooted in Our Regions and Committed to the Community

Minor Hotels is fully committed to sustainable hotel development and corporate responsibility, ensuring positive contributions to both economies and ecosystems. We are also committed to corporate sustainability through the beneficial development of the careers and communities to which our hotels are connected.

Our Sustainability Strategy

We believe that long-term success comes from not only growing our own business but also supporting the people and communities we work with. To do this, we’ve developed a Sustainability Strategy that aligns with Minor’s core values, business goals and our commitment to engaging with our stakeholders. This helps us understand key issues for both the company and the people we impact, guiding decisions that improve economic, social and environmental outcomes for everyone involved. Our Sustainability Strategy focuses on three main areas: people potential, natural capital, and responsible business.

People Potential

We’re committed to building inclusive, supportive workplaces where our team members can grow, develop new skills, and thrive in a safe and healthy environment. Our people are at the heart of our success. In the communities where we operate, we focus on creating jobs, sourcing locally, and offering education and training to empower those around us.

At Minor, we believe in giving back. We work closely with local communities, listening to their needs and concerns through open conversations with residents, leaders and government agencies. This helps us direct our efforts where they’re most needed, whether it’s supporting education, healthcare, or economic opportunities. Our teams worldwide are encouraged to take part in social responsibility initiatives, ensuring we create positive impacts wherever we operate.

People-related initiatives

• The Royal Livingstone by Anantara and Avani Victoria Falls Resort have partnered with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and SOS Children’s Village Livingstone to offer a six-month Youth Employment Programme. This initiative equips young people aged 18 – 25 from local communities with both classroom learning and hands-on job training. 
• Minor Hotels properties in Vietnam, including Anantara Hoi An Resort, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas and Avani Quy Nhon Resort, support the Kianh Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting children with special needs in central Vietnam. 

Natural Capital

As Minor expands, we're dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment. We know that climate change and loss of biodiversity can disrupt our business, causing extreme weather, supply chain issues, and changing travel trends.

We’re working hard to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and water use in our hotels, reduce single-use plastics and organic waste, and partner with our suppliers to lower their emissions too. We’re also increasing our efforts to protect biodiversity in the area where our hotels operate.

Environment-related initiatives

• All hotels and resorts located in Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark and Italy consume 100% clean electricity.
• We’re committed to protecting the environment by banning single-use plastics in our front-of-house operations, including plastic bottles, amenities and straws. We replace these with more environmentally friendly alternatives to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
• Minor Hotels in the Maldives engage in the Holistic Approach to Reef Protection (HARP) programme. This initiative focuses on regenerating the coral and marine environment around the islands through activities like maintaining coral nurseries, planting nursery-grown corals on damaged reefs, protecting marine ecosystems, and raising awareness of marine conservation.
• Supported by the Elewana Collection, Cheli & Peacock Safaris, the Land & Life Foundation works to create a sustainable future where communities and wildlife flourish together in Kenya and Tanzania. Focusing on environmental stewardship, community wellbeing, and local partnerships, the Foundation recently relocated 21 critically endangered black rhinos to the Loisaba Conservancy. This marked the first time since 1976 that these creatures have returned to the area.
• Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, situated on Sri Lanka’s coast and a critical nesting site for sea turtles, has been dedicated to conserving these threatened marine creatures and their habitats since 2017. The resort’s long-term conservation efforts are supported through funding from the Dollars for Deeds programme.
• Cardamom Tented Camp, a collaboration between Minor, Wildlife Alliance and YAANA Ventures, showcases a dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. Situated in Cambodia’s Botum Sakor National Park, known for its rich biodiversity, the eco-camp contributes a portion of its proceeds to Wildlife Alliance. This Cambodian non-profit supports wildlife and forest protection and aids park rangers in their conservation efforts.

Responsible Business

At Minor, the commitment to responsible business practices is unwavering, with a strong focus on governance, risk management, and respect for human rights. Clear policies and practices are in place to ensure ethical and transparent operations.

The dedication extends to a sustainable supply chain, which supports the delivery of high-quality products, effective cost management, and regulatory compliance. Through close partnerships with suppliers, Minor aims to create positive impacts across the industry and community.

Ensuring safety and satisfaction remains a top priority, with a commitment to exceeding expectations and delivering outstanding value and service.

Responsible business-related initiative

• Minor is dedicated to ensuring that tourism respects human rights, with a particular focus on protecting children. Since 2018, Minor Hotels has been a member of The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism (The Code). This collaborative initiative helps the travel and tourism industry gain the knowledge and tools needed to prevent child sexual exploitation. As part of this commitment, Minor Hotels provides training for all new employees on how to recognise and report any potential concerns related to child exploitation.
• Anantara Spa and AvaniSpa embrace indigenous wellness traditions, using natural ingredients and promoting eco-friendly choices. For example, Longevity Hub by Clinic La Prairie features locally sourced iris flowers, while VIVID IV Drip Bar focuses on sustainability through ethical ingredient sourcing and eco-friendly practices. 
• Sustainable sourcing is key to matching our commitment to responsible business practices with what today’s consumers want, reducing risks, and improving our brand’s reputation. At Minor, we show our dedication by focusing on buying certified materials and seeking out more sustainable options. We make sure that the products we purchase meet international standards for safety, environmental impact, and ethical practices. We also look for alternatives that are better for the environment, consider animal welfare and maintain high quality. Plus, we support local sourcing to improve product traceability, create a sustainable supply chain and boost local economies.

Our Commitments

Net zero commitment: Minor pledges to become Net Zero by 2050. This commitment reflects our dedication to tackling climate change and reducing our environmental impact, setting a clear path towards a more sustainable future. We are excited to lead the way in transforming our operations, innovating green practices, and working with suppliers to join us in making a significant difference for our planet.

Cage-free eggs: We are committed to sourcing 100% of our eggs (shell, liquid and egg products) from cage-free sources for all owned, managed and franchised properties in our portfolio by the end of 2027. We also commit to report on progress annually and commit to translating the policy into all major languages. Minor Hotels’ commitment to the cage-free initiative will have a positive impact on animal welfare and sustainable food sourcing at both the local and global level.

Download our cage-free commitment in several languages

Sustainable seafood: As a part of Minor Hotels’ commitment to sustainability in all aspects of our operations, we continue to ensure that all our hotels have adopted a sustainable seafood policy. The policy guides hotels to procure seafood species from well-managed, sustainable stocks which are not considered to be overexploited. It also promotes purchase of locally produced and caught seafood, and to ensure that methods used are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Illegal wildlife trade zero tolerance policy: Minor Hotels is a signatory to the WTTC’s Declaration on Illegal Wildlife Trade supported by a strong internal Captive Wildlife Policy. Through the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, we have supported organisations such as WildAid, WWF and USAID in their illegal wildlife trade mitigation programmes, focusing on stamping out tourism’s involvement in the ivory trade.

Other Initiatives

The Heinecke Foundation

Founded in 1995 by Minor Hotels’ Founder and Chairman, William E. Heinecke, to honour his father’s wishes, the Heinecke Foundation Scholarship supports Thai children, including those of Minor’s team members, by providing educational opportunities. This initiative aims to empower these children to achieve their full potential and build a brighter future for their families and communities. To date, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to tens of thousands of children across Thailand.

The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation

The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) was set up in 2005 in Thailand to help elephants that could not help themselves, a task it initially achieved by rescuing street begging elephants and their handlers (mahouts) and bringing them to live on the 400 acre forest and grassland surrounding Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in northern Thailand.
 
This land is still home to 20 elephants but since 2005 the Foundation has adapted to changing circumstances and adopted three separate pillars: Captive Elephant Welfare, Wild Elephant Protection, and Research and Education.  
 
Working with the elephants on site and through chosen partners, the Foundation has been a key driver in the improvement of welfare for all captive elephants and has been active in hosting and supporting free courses, seminars and workshops for elephant camp managers and mahouts.  

Welfare of on site elephants is independently audited and certified by Asian Captive Elephant Standards.

For more information please visit www.helpingelephants.org

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation

The Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation (MKMTF) was established by Minor Hotels in 2002 to help rejuvenate the sea turtle population nesting in Sirinath National Marine Park and the surrounding Andaman ecosystem in southern Thailand.

Mai Khao is one of the few Phuket beaches that continues to welcome nesting turtles. For most species the eggs are rescued from surrounding beaches where the necessary natural and peaceful environment can no longer be guaranteed. The eggs are then given to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) and Royal Thai Navy who provide a safe home for the eggs to hatch and the young turtles to gain strength before finding their true home in the sea.

In recent years, the foundation has broadened its environmental efforts to not only ensure the conservation of the leatherback and other turtles but also to preserve the environment with the involvement of local communities, schools, universities, government organisations and other NGOs.

For more information please visit www.maikhaomarineturtlefoundation.org

Sustainability Reports

Read how we're collectively working towards a greener future in the latest sustainability reports from Minor Hotels below.

Minor Hotels’ latest sustainability report

Minor Hotels Europe & Americas' latest sustainability report