Small Luxury Hotels of the World launches 'Considerate Collection' Actively Sustainable Luxury Hotels

From the biodiversity-promoting Keemala in Thailand to the culture-preserving Gangtey Lodge in carbon-negative Bhutan, *Considerate Collection debuts with 26 pioneering hotels in 16 countries, each meeting the highest criteria in sustainability. 

SLH has collaborated with the most respectable sustainable travel and luxury hospitality players to create a trusted and transparent framework. These include Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) – the international, independent, not-for-profit body established by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); and Greenview, whose platform is the only GSTC-recognised sustainable tourism management tool. 

 

Daniel Luddington, VP of Development, Small Luxury Hotels of the World said “We’ve carefully curated the Considerate Collection to spotlight luxury boutique hotels exemplary in their sustainability efforts, making it easier for customers and the travel trade to make better-considered choices. Staying in small, independent hotels goes hand in hand with traveling sustainably and all SLH hotels are already steeped in the many facets of sustainable hospitality, so we haven’t had to look far outside of our portfolio for the launch collection. We also have an exciting pipeline of new hotels to add in the coming months.” He adds, “This is not about creating a new brand, but rather building on the strong brand values that have existed within SLH since inception - independent spirits, community-centric, questioners, storytellers, and the ultimate belief that Small is beautiful and a better way to travel.”

Criteria for the Considerate Collection align with the GSTC Criteria across three key pillars ensuring all the hotels are Community Minded, Cultural Custodians, and Environmentally Conscious. These pillars are all underpinned by a strong sustainability management system. Each hotel within the Considerate Collection either has been certified by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body or certified to a GSTC Recognized Standard or has passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel with review by the GSTC. Randy Durband, CEO of, Global Sustainable Tourism Council said: “SLH has impressed us with their dedicated support of their member hotels, and we’re delighted to collaborate with them to devise a robust framework, consistent with GSTC measures but uniquely matched for all luxury boutique hotels. We are sure it will be a huge success.”

Through individuals and businesses that give back to Nature every month, TreeSisters has so far funded the planting of over 19 million trees across 12 locations in Brazil, Borneo, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nepal, and West Papua.

Like the humble honey bee who works hard to keep his hive happy and healthy, Considerate Collection 

hotels are passionately committed to making their communities a better place for both locals and visitors to enjoy alike.

* Many of our hotels are locally owned and family-run, who have a deep-rooted, personal connection to the people who make a place special. By ensuring equal employment opportunities to local residents, 

including managerial positions without discrimination of any kind, the hotel invests in its community while giving guests a more authentic experience of its people’s culture, language, and storytelling.

* As champions of local, fair-trade produce, our hotels buy local wherever possible to support the 

community’s supply chain – whether it’s serving fresh fruit from the morning market where the hotel chef knows the farmer by name or providing hand-woven bags made by a local artisan for guests to use by the pool.

* It is not enough for our hotels to simply give back to the community, they must continuously strive to enrich local lives through social impact initiatives, educational, health, and training programs, and projects which address the impacts of climate change.

To better understand and appreciate the culture and customs of another country is one of travel’s greatest joys. Each Considerate Collection hotel and destination has its own cultural identity which it works tirelessly to protect, preserve and promote for generations to come.

* Elements of the traditional and contemporary local culture are incorporated in the operations, design, 

decoration, cuisine, or boutiques of our hotels, while respecting the intellectual property rights of local 

communities.

* Going beyond the maintenance of local buildings, and the protection of culturally, historically, 

archaeologically, and spiritually significant sites, our hotels aim to enhance and sensitively improve upon properties of cultural interest through ongoing heritage and restoration projects.

* Immersing guests in the local culture through an array of authentic activities are integral to our hotel 

experience, from traditional cooking classes in a rural farmhouse to pottery making in an ancestral 

ceramics studio.

These trailblazing eco-hotels know that luxury travel shouldn’t cost the earth, which is why their sustainable strategies go well beyond reducing the negative impact on their immediate environment with regenerative and restorative action.

* Conserving resources – our hotels make an active effort to increase their use of renewable energy and 

sustainable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biofuels, while assessing, measuring, and 

minimizing energy and water consumption.

* Reducing pollution – greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by our hotels are identified, calculated where possible, and procedures implemented to avoid or minimize them. Wastewater is effectively treated and is only reused or released safely with no adverse effects to the local population or the environment, while solid waste is reduced, reused, or recycled. Significant steps are taken by Considerate Collection hotels to reduce their carbon footprint.

* Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes – from coral reef regeneration and ocean 

conservation to wildlife rewilding and tree reforestation, our hotels play an active role in restoring the natural beauty of our planet. Protected natural parks and areas of high biodiversity value are especially 

looked after, while any interaction with free-roaming wildlife is non-invasive and responsibly managed.

For more information, visit www.slh.com/considerate