Ovolo launches ‘Do Good, Feel Good’ sustainability initiative

Independent lifestyle hotel brand Ovolo is launching a sustainability initiative, which pledges to ‘Do Good, Feel Good’.

Central to this, Ovolo announces a new ‘Green Perk’, where a tree will be planted for every direct booking in association with Eden Reforestation Projects.

“At Ovolo we want to encourage our guests, teams, suppliers, and investors to Do Good, Feel Good,” Ovolo Group Chief Executive Office, Dave Baswal said.

“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

Key highlights of Ovolo’s commitment include two key pillars (planet and people) and a range of actions under each:

Planet

– Working with EarthCheck to ensure all actions are science-backed, strategic and sustainable.

– The Plant’d Pledge which promotes vegetarian and plant-based cuisine.

– A commitment to reduce food waste by 50% to 2030.

– Designing new hotels responsibly to include sustainable materials and achieve Green Certification for all Ovolo-owned new-build hotels.

– Eliminating single-use plastics by 2023.

– Measuring and managing carbon emissions, water, waste, and energy consumption.

– Sourcing locally and organically wherever possible.

People

– Protecting the mental and physical well-being of employees.

– Providing education, nutrition, and healthcare for disadvantaged children in Indonesia and Hong Kong.

–  Ensuring 50/50 women and men in management positions by 2025.

– Doubling fundraising efforts by 2025.

– Promoting local art, culture, and history to supporting local communities.

Ovolo has partnered with Bali Children’s Foundation which helps children complete school, find employment, and improve their lives and community.

Ovolo sponsored a school in North Bali with classroom upgrades, class delivery for a year and a stationary kit for each student.

From 1 November, Ovolo is partnering with Eden Reforestation Projects, an NGO that works with local communities to restore their environment and economy by planting sustainable trees.

Ovolo has chosen to plant trees in Nepal to reduce the impact of soil erosion, floods, and landslides.

Whenever guests book directly with Ovolo, they will receive a message after their stay to show them where their tree has been planted and information on the impact on the environment planting this tree has.

Additionally, Ovolo has committed to producing an annual report, verified by a third-party auditor, so that guests, staff and investors know exactly what the group is doing to contribute positively.

“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,” Baswal added.