Aitken Spence Hotels conferred leisure sector winner at Sustainability Awards

Team from Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings with Jt. Managing Director Ranil De Silva (second left), Aitken Spence PLC Director and Aitken Spence Hotel Management Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena receiving the award and AVP Finance Dhammika Ekanayake

Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC was adjudged the winner in the leisure and connected services category at the recently held ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards, joining the ranks, yet again as one of the most transparent, accountable and sustainable companies in the country.

A pioneer in the sustainable tourism movement in the region, Aitken Spence Hotels has led by example with a sustainable focus intrinsic to its business.

With a corporate model that is based on a long-term vision, clearly defining sustainability ethos and related initiatives at the very heart of its operations, Aitken Spence Hotels’ reporting conforms to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 standards which promotes the integration of socio-economic and environmental impacts on all stakeholders related to the business with new focus on matters that are critical in order to achieve the organisation’s goals and manage its impact on society.

With a diverse portfolio of 21 hotels and resorts, the Group’s sustainability strategy looks at aspects that are commonly applicable across all its properties and uses a prioritisation framework to allow the hotels to customise their action consistent with the nature and scale of its operations and its impacts. The Group has also adapted their practices to the seven prioritised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the parent company, Aitken Spence PLC has identified.

“We are delighted to have been adjudged a category winner at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards, which is reflective of the Group’s commitment towards corporate accountability and its approach towards creating a corporate culture that promotes sustainability through internal and external stakeholders,” Aitken Spence PLC Director and Aitken Spence Hotel Management Chairperson Stasshani Jayawardena commented .

“As a country, Sri Lanka is on the brink of large-scale development and growth within the industry. While we welcome the efforts taken by the authorities to improve the standards of Sri Lanka tourism and image building in key markets, it is imperative that the industry must, as a whole, look at sustainable development and tourism in order to truly become a value-added destination. The sustainability consciousness among global leaders is growing, and in order to attract premium brands, businesses and guests, we must position ourselves as a sustainable hub for all industries,” she asserted.