Key points
- With a portfolio spanning Thailand, the Maldives, Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Middle East, the company is sharpening its focus on environmental stewardship, community development, ethical operations, and resource-efficient hotel management.
- The group’s actions are placing Thailand at the forefront of responsible tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, while also shaping Centara’s image as a brand built on trust, transparency, and forward-thinking practices.
- Rising awareness among guests and business partners is reinforcing the importance of sustainable operations, according to this Thailand Hotel News report, as Centara continues to broaden its initiatives and adopt internationally recognized standards that reflect both global expectations and local priorities.
Thailand Hotel News: Centara Strengthens Its Position as a Sustainability Leader
Centara Hotels & Resorts is taking bold steps toward becoming Thailand’s most responsible hospitality group, accelerating its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) development as part of a long-term commitment to sustainable tourism. With a portfolio spanning Thailand, the Maldives, Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Middle East, the company is sharpening its focus on environmental stewardship, community development, ethical operations, and resource-efficient hotel management. These efforts come at a time when global travelers increasingly choose hotels that demonstrate measurable responsibility and long-term care for the environment and society. The group’s actions are placing Thailand at the forefront of responsible tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, while also shaping Centara’s image as a brand built on trust, transparency, and forward-thinking practices. Rising awareness among guests and business partners is reinforcing the importance of sustainable operations, according to this Thailand Hotel News report, as Centara continues to broaden its initiatives and adopt internationally recognized standards that reflect both global expectations and local priorities.
Centara advances Thailand’s hospitality industry with major sustainability and community achievements.
Image Credit: Centara Hotels
The CENTARA Blueprint as a Foundation for Progress
What sets Centara apart is the depth and structure of its sustainability planning. The company’s C-E-N-T-A-R-A Sustainability Blueprint serves as a comprehensive framework for responsible operations across all properties. This long-term strategy consists of seven priority areas: clean energy, reduced emissions, water stewardship, waste reduction, biodiversity protection, community upliftment, and inclusive employment. The blueprint ensures that sustainability is not presented as a marketing message but as an operational standard that guides measurable improvement year after year.
Centara’s journey began in 2009 when it adopted the EarthCheck system, giving all properties an internationally recognized foundation for environmental management. From there, the company expanded its programmes steadily. Milestones include the introduction of Thailand’s Green Hotel certification programme, elimination of single-use plastics in guest-facing areas, and the rollout of the P.O.P. (Plastic Only, Please) initiative to promote recycling through guest participation. Over the years, these programmes have allowed Centara to embed sustainability into its identity, proving that environmental care can coexist with luxury hospitality and guest comfort.
Driving Major Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A defining pillar of Centara’s strategy is its strong climate action commitment. The company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, supported by an interim target to reduce emissions intensity by 40 percent by 2029 compared to 2019 levels. As of this year, Centara has reached a 35 percent reduction, already surpassing expectations and outperforming Thailand’s hotel industry average by more than half.
This achievement is powered largely by the expansion of renewable energy systems across its properties. Solar energy installations at 14 Centara hotels have generated 4,780 MWh of clean power between January and October 2025. This accounts for 4 percent of total electricity use and reduces carbon emissions by more than 2,970 tonnes—equivalent to planting over 300,000 trees.
The Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
Image Credit: Centara Hotels
The company has also implemented advanced technology solutions such as smart sensors, energy management systems, district cooling networks, and centralized building-management platforms. These systems track consumption in real time, reduce wasted power, optimize air-conditioning efficiency, and ensure hotels run at the lowest emissions intensity possible without compromising guest comfort.
Water Efficiency and Conservation Achievements
Water conservation remains one of Centara’s strongest sustainability achievements. The group has successfully reduced overall water consumption by 30.1 percent, surpassing its 20 percent target set back in 2019. This milestone is significant in a region where seasonal water availability can fluctuate and where hotels often rely heavily on water for landscape management, cleaning, and guest services.
A major driver of this success is Centara’s investment in water recycling systems. More than 454,416 cubic meters of treated wastewater have been reused in 2025 alone for irrigation across multiple hotels. This recycled water keeps outdoor landscapes green, supports resort environments, and reduces pressure on local water supplies.
Expanded Waste Management and Upcycling Programmes
Centara has also taken strong steps to reduce waste, meeting and surpassing its goal of reducing landfill contributions by 20 percent. With a 24.5 percent reduction already achieved, the company continues to invest in waste separation, recycling programmes, and partnerships that promote circular economy solutions.
At the same time, Centara has embraced creative upcycling models. Four hotels in Krabi have transformed more than 3,872 kilograms of plastic bottles into new items such as hats, bags, and decorative materials. This initiative not only reduces plastic waste but also raises awareness among guests and supports local artisans who participate in the upcycling process.
Social Impact Through Community Empowerment
Centara’s sustainability strategy extends beyond the environment and into the lives of people who live and work around its hotels. One of its longest-running social initiatives is its partnership with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Thailand, where surplus food from hotel kitchens is donated daily to vulnerable communities. This programme reduces food waste while supplying nutritious meals to people who need them most.
The Centara Reserve Samui
Image Credit: Centara Hotels
The “One Hotel, One Product” initiative demonstrates Centara’s commitment to local entrepreneurship. More than 6,300 square meters of complimentary retail space have been offered to small producers who sell handmade, regional goods. Over 6,000 community products have been promoted through these hotel markets, giving families and small enterprises a dependable revenue source and a platform to reach new customers—including international travellers.
Centara also prioritizes inclusive employment, hiring individuals with disabilities above the legal requirement and offering positions to senior workers. Through its “The Place to Be – Best Workplace” philosophy, the company reinforces a culture of respect, career development, and fair access to opportunities.
A Culture of Strong Corporate Governance
Beyond environmental and social achievements, Centara continues to uphold high governance standards. The group has earned an “Excellent” five-star Corporate Governance rating from the Thai Institute of Directors Association for six consecutive years. Its long-term membership in the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC) shows its dedication to accountability and transparent business operations.
Financially, Centara has secured over THB 8.7 billion in sustainability-linked loans, bonds, and green financing instruments. These funds enable long-term investments in environmental technology, low-carbon transitions, and community development programmes, ensuring that Centara’s sustainability strategy is financially sustainable as well as operationally effective.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Thai Hospitality
Centara Hotels & Resorts is demonstrating how responsible tourism can reshape the future of Thailand’s hospitality sector. Through long-term planning, measurable goals, and fully integrated ESG initiatives, the group shows that environmental protection, social responsibility, and strong governance are not obstacles but powerful drivers of business growth. Their achievements—from energy efficiency to water conservation, from upcycling to community empowerment—serve as a model for how hotels can operate with purpose while delivering exceptional guest experiences. As expectations for responsible travel continue to grow worldwide, Centara is positioning itself as a leader capable of guiding Thailand’s hospitality industry toward a future defined by sustainability, accountability, and meaningful social impact.
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