Ovolo Hotels is doubling down on sustainability with a new commitment to plant a tree for every direct booking received.
This new ‘Green Perk’ will be delivered in association with non-profit NGO Eden Reforestation Projects which works with local communities to plant trees, providing food, income, and shelter, and helping to restore the environment and local economy.
Ovolo has chosen to plant trees in Nepal – an area particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – to reduce the impact of soil erosion, floods, and landslides.
When guests book directly with Ovolo, they will receive a message after their stay showing them where their tree has been planted and providing them with information about the resulting impact on the environment.
It’s one of a series of sustainability initiatives being introduced at Ovolo, which has been widely praised for its efforts to introduce more conscious cuisine through its vegetarian pledge, Plant’d, in recent times.
Ovolo said it will continue to push its plant-based offering to reduce carbon footprint, it will align sustainability development goals (SDG), and commit to a 50% reduction in waste by 2030.
“At Ovolo, sustainability has for a long time been part of our DNA, and we want to encourage our guests, teams, suppliers, and investors to Do Good, Feel Good,” said Ovolo Group Chief Executive Office, Dave Baswal.
“Our commitments go beyond environmental indicators and include issues such as celebrating diversity and inclusion, supporting children and schools, sourcing locally and building hotels that give back to their communities in a meaningful way.
“We want to make better choices for ourselves and the planet and play our part in ensuring a better future for all.”
Ovolo is working with EarthCheck to ensure all of its actions are science-backed, strategic and sustainable and has committed to producing an annual report, verified by a third-party auditor, to offer greater transparency.
“Transparency and alignment with initiatives and sustainability development goals is key for us, we don’t just want to talk the talk, but we want to be held accountable to walk the walk too,” Baswal said.
Its sustainability efforts will extend to the design of its hotels which will incorporate the use of sustainable materials and fittings. Each new-build Ovolo-owned property will seek Green Certification.
By next year, Ovolo aims to eliminate single-use plastics. It will measure carbon emissions, water, waste, and energy consumption, and source locally and organically where possible. It will also promote local art, culture, and history to support local communities.
When it comes to its people, Ovolo is expanding development and learning opportunities, and taking care to protect the mental and physical well-being of employees. By 2025, it aims to have an equal gender split in management positions.
Ovolo is also providing education, nutrition, and healthcare for disadvantaged children in Indonesia and Hong Kong. The hotel company has partnered with Bali Children’s Foundation which helps children complete school and find employment.
Through its efforts to date, Ovolo has supported a school in North Bali with classroom upgrades, class delivery for a year and a stationary kit for each student. Ovolo plans to double its fundraising efforts by 2025.