S Hotels and Resorts PCL, is reflecting on a highly successful year that saw the group achieve a series of important and
prestigious accolades, while also advancing its commitment to sustainable development, community integration and environmental protection everywhere it operates. One of the most significant accomplishments for S Hotels & Resorts this year was that SHR managed to receive an A Rating from the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s (SET) Environmental, Social & Good Governance (ESG) Rating assessment. This ratings system was created by SET to provide analysts and potential investors with a guide to listed companies’ sustainable actions and responsibility toward social and environment, therefore the positive result has permitted SHR to align itself with the SET and analysts’ expectation, while attracting potential investors and green funds to invest in certified sustainable stocks.
An A Rating demonstrated S Hotels & Resorts ’s long-term commitment to sustainable development, especially our devotion to climate action, human right, diversity and inclusion and environment protection. Most notably, the company scored a maximum 100 points in the “Environmental Management” category, due to its detailed environmental strategy and actions which have been aligned with nine of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and includes long-term projects to reduce food waste (SGD2 – Zero Hunger, SDG12 – Responsible Consumption & Production), harness renewable energy (SDG7 – Affordable & Clean Energy, SDG11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities), and protect marine ecosystems (SDG14 – Life Below Water). Overall, S Hotels & Resorts is working towards net zero operations by 2030. In the drive for renewable energy, S Hotels & Resorts has completed the installation of solar panels to power its properties in Thailand and the Maldives, while marine conservation was enhanced with a shark release programme at SAii Phi Phi Island Village. Under the SOS (Save Our Sharks) initiative, marine biologists successfully released several bamboo sharks into the Andaman Sea, having nurtured the eggs in a dedicated nursery at the resort’s Marine Discovery Centre in collaboration with Phuket Marine Biological Centre. In addition, Santiburi Koh Samui launched a new nature trail that allows guests to discover the rich biodiversity – from towering banyan trees to tiny stingless bees – that can be discovered all around this 23-acre tropical paradise, in the company of an expert nature guide. A key element of S Hotels & Resorts’ sustainability strategy is to have its operations monitored, evaluated and assessed by independent experts. This year, the company was delighted when three of its popular resorts in Thailand – SAii Laguna Phuket, SAii Phi Phi Island Village, and Santiburi Koh Samui – as well as CROSSROADS Maldives, the Indian Ocean’s first fully-integrated lifestyle destination, received Green Globe™ Certification, which represents the pinnacle of environmental assessment. Also in 2023, S Hotels & Resorts earned an “Excellent” 5-Star CGR Rating from the Thai Institute of Directors (IOD) with support from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). These ratings comprise comprehensive criteria to ensure that companies comply with international standards of corporate governance and sustainability, including new social and environmental criteria to drive long-term business viability and gain global recognition. Achieving its “Excellent” rating, S Hotels & Resorts recorded a superb score of 108%, compared to the average of 81% from 782 SET-listed companies.
The company was honoured to receive an “Outstanding Investor Relations Award 2023” from SET and Money & Banking magazine. Presented in a recent ceremony, these awards are only given to SET-listed companies that have demonstrated an outstanding performance in investor relations activities, which emphasises S Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to maximising benefits to its shareholders and stakeholders. In Fiji, S Hotels & Resorts’ Outrigger properties and people were recognised in the 21st HM Awards for Hotel & Accommodation Excellence, which were recently presented. Castaway Island, Fiji was highly commended in the “Property Awards – New Zealand & South Pacific” category, while two of the group’s GMs were named among the top General Managers in the South Pacific: Darren Shaw of Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort took the top prize, while Steven Andrews of Castaway Island was highly commended. Mr. Michael Marshall, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts, comments: “As we move towards the end of 2023, S Hotels & Resorts looks back at its last 12 months performances with a tremendous amount of pride and satisfaction. We have advanced our strategy to help guests ‘travel sustainable,’ operate in a highly responsible way, while also receiving recognition from many independent bodies, including SET, IOD and Green Globe. This gives us the opportunities to improve and a great confidence that we are moving in the right direction, while creating a strong and sustainable development foundation for our future growth. We will strive to add value to all areas of our business in future and continue to promote human rights, diversity and inclusion, while working closely with like-minded partners to drive benefits for the environment and local communities wherever we operate.”
