TÜV Rheinland Partners with Accor and H World on GSTC Certification

TSUEN WAN, Hong Kong - Sept. 16, 2025 - PRLog -- On August 25, TÜV Rheinland Greater China, the international independent third-party testing, inspection, and certification organization, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Accor Greater China to collaborate on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification program across Accor's full portfolio of brands. This cooperation aims to accelerate Accor's sustainability roadmap while setting a benchmark for the hotel industry's sustainable transition.

At the event, TÜV Rheinland handed over GSTC hotel-standard certificates to eight hotels, including Sofitel Shanghai North Bund, Fairmont Xiamen, Chengdu Expo Waterfall Hotel - MGallery Collection, Novotel Lianyungang Haizhou, as well as four ibis hotels managed by H World Group, the exclusive master franchisee partner of ibis and ibis Styles in mainland China: ibis Shanghai Expo Dongming Road Metro Station, ibis Shanghai Lianyang, ibis Styles Shanghai Zhangjiang, ibis Chengdu South Railway Station Tongzilin Metro Station. Notably, ibis has become the first economy hotel brand in China to achieve GSTC certification, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainability practices in the segment.

Sustainable hotels reflect a growing trend within the tourism sector toward environmentally responsible and socially inclusive operations. The concept emphasizes delivering high-quality guest experiences while minimizing environmental impact, promoting low-carbon operations, and supporting local communities and cultural heritage. With travelers increasingly seeking sustainable travel options and companies adopting responsible travel policies, sustainable-certified hotels are becoming an essential part of achieving global sustainability goals.

The certified hotels demonstrated excellence in sustainability through initiatives such as adopting renewable energy, implementing intelligent energy management, promoting circular resource use, reducing single-use plastics, conserving water, and enhancing waste management practices. In addition, they prioritized ethical sourcing and community engagement through sustainable food supply chains and fair labor policies. These efforts directly contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of each guest stay, aligning with Scope 3 emission reduction, while also creating long-term economic benefits for the hotels.

With nearly 20 years of experience serving the global tourism sector, TÜV Rheinland provides comprehensive services spanning environmental management, quality assurance, and health compliance. The organization continues to support hotels, resorts, and travel operators worldwide in embedding sustainable practices, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in driving the hospitality industry's sustainable transformation.

https://www.tuv.com/press/en/press-releases/accor-and-h-world.html