Sustainability tracking platform Tuu has launched the Eco Stay Awards 2025, the only dedicated and data-backed sustainability recognition for hotels in Asia. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 28th March 2025 in Phuket, Thailand.
The Awards are designed to celebrate genuine eco-achievements in the hospitality industry, standing strong against greenwashing through rigorous data submission, auditing, and expert judging.
“We aim to foster a collaborative environment among hotels, encourage environmental responsibility, share best practices, and help combat greenwashing,” said Tuu founder Terry Blackburn.
With the forthcoming EU Green Claims Directive mandating environmental claims’ reliability, comparability, and verifiability, the Awards offer hotels in Asia a golden opportunity to align with these emerging regulatory standards.
“Every marketing claim must eventually be backed by data,” added Blackburn, who also founded the Asia Property Awards, the region’s largest real estate awards programme. “Our initiative aims to give a voice to those who genuinely deserve it and are making significant eco-progress in key areas such as energy and food waste reduction.”
Hotels already tracking their sustainability performance with certifications like Green Key, Green View, ISO, or Earth Check are encouraged to enter. This allows them to maximise the value of their existing sustainability data and amplify their marketing through compelling, data-backed storytelling.
In addition to appealing to eco-savvy travellers, the Awards are geared towards helping hotels stand out among c-suite executives who consider a property’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) credentials when planning MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activities. According to Farer & Co, 71% of c-suite execs consider ESG when planning their MICE activities.
The data submission process, guided by leading industry benchmarks, ensures hotels meet stringent sustainable standards. After review and verification by the Awards auditing partner HLB, properties are rated in three tiers based on a score out of 100.
- White Bamboo (41-60)
- Green Bamboo (61-80)
- Gold Bamboo (81-100)
“The data must be supported by proof and is subject to our audit before a rating is assigned,” said Paul Ashburn, Partner at HLB Thailand. “This process promotes transparency and accountability, ensuring that only truly sustainable hotels are recognised.”
HLB International, a top-10 global network of independent advisory and accounting firms, will perform random data checks, verify ratings, recheck borderline entries, supervise judges’ meetings, and conduct full onsite audits on request.
30 sustainability awards across four categories
Hotels achieving at least a White Bamboo rating will also qualify to enter 30 Special Recognition Awards across four categories – Sustainability Planning, Local Community, Cultural Heritage, and Environmental Impact – that are judged by an independent panel of experts. This panel ensures that each award reflects outstanding sustainability achievements, focusing on measurable impact and innovation.
Winning an award provides significant marketing benefits, including:
- Awards logo usage rights for one year
- Press coverage
- Social media promotion
- Feature articles and case studies in Tuu’s whitepapers
- Premium listing in Tuu’s winner’s directory
Additionally, the Tuu Foundation supports sustainability education in schools worldwide, aiming to nurture tomorrow’s green leaders through comprehensive programmes and community engagement. Winning hotels have the chance to nominate local schools to receive Tuu Foundation sustainability education courses and teacher resource packs.
The success of the Awards is supported by industry partners committed to sustainability in hospitality. This year’s Official Sponsors include ecoSPIRITS, Lumitics, and Bizsu. Official Partners are the Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks, Tajara Hospitality, CarbonClick, SKÅL International Koh Samui and Delivering Asia.
