Aware of the enormous responsibility we have, as a sector and as a company, to actively contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, at RLH Properties we continue working on our company’s sustainability strategy. We hold our commitment to creating shared value, convinced that a culture, not only of excellence, integrity, and transparency but also environmentally responsible, socially fair, and economically inclusive, is fundamental to the success of our company and our long-term permanence. Learn more about our commitment in our Annual Sustainability Report.
Sustainability
Sustainability 2023 Anual Report
Sustainability 2022 Anual Report
Sustainability 2021 Anual Report
This 2024, RLH Properties has developed its Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework. We have selected two KPIs that are relevant for both, the hotel sector and our business. These imply actions that contribute to mitigating climate change and conserving our natural capital. Selection of these indicators has been made considering international standards, as well as an analysis of our peers and local and global trends. Its alignment with international market principles and guidelines has been evaluated as “excellent” by an external party and can be consulted in the corresponding Second Party Opinion.
An external auditor will verify these indicators in the Annual Sustainability Report until the maturity of the corresponding financing instruments.
Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework
Our ESG Actions and its Contribution to the SDGs of the United Nations 2023 Agenda for Sustainable Development
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The Sustainable Development Goals are an initiative supported by the United Nations to give continuity to the development agenda after the Millennium Development Goals. Reed more.
ACTIONS SDG IMPACTED Tourism Environmental Quality Certificate at Environmental Performance Level 2 in Mayakoba It is granted by the Federal Agency for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) as part of the National Environmental Audit Program. It evaluates and recognizes tourism companies that comply with environmental legislation and achieve environmental performance higher than required. It was awarded in 2019 to Mayakoba (Andaz Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, Camaleón Golf Course, and Fairmont Heritage Place). It is important to mention that Mayakoba has had the Level 1 certification since 2013 and was renewed in subsequent years until obtaining Level 2 certification in 2019, the highest level, renewing it in 2023.
Action Plan for Tourism Environmental Quality Certificate at Environmental Performance Level 1 in Mandarina: In 2022, we began working to obtain this certification, carrying out the corresponding audit and resulting in a two-year action plan to obtain the certificate. This 2023, quarterly environmental audits were carried out to monitor compliance with this action plan, beginning a wonderful process of continuous improvement in the environmental performance of the destination.
Green Certificate at Mayakoba: It is granted by the Quintana Roo Agency for the Protection of the Environment (PPA). It was granted to Mayakoba in 2021, including our four hotels, El Camaleón golf course, and Fairmont Heritage Place. This certificate recognizes companies that comply with an environmental performance superior to that required by the current legislation.
Cooperative Sanctuary Certificate for El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course: Awarded by Audubon International in the following components: (i) habitat and wildlife management, (ii) water conservation, (iii) water quality management, (iv) awareness and environmental education and (v) reduction and safety in the use of chemical products. It was obtained in October 2006 and is recertified every 2 or 3 years according to organization requests and rules. It currently remains valid.
EarthCheck Certification: It is granted by EarthCheck, an international organization recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council that mainly evaluates the environmental performance of tourism companies. After having held the Gold level since 2018, Banyan Tree Mayakoba obtained the Platinum level in 2022. That same year, One&Only Mandarina obtained this certification at the Silver level.
Sustainable Travel Activities Certification: It is granted by the international organization Preferred by Nature. Its standard is one of the most recognized and robust worldwide and is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Rosewood Mayakoba obtained it in 2011, and Andaz Mayakoba in 2017. This 2023, Preferred by Nature updated its standard making it much more demanding and robust, delving into climate change and renewable energy. The four hotels obtained this certification again in 2023, being the first in the world to be certified under the new standard version.
Likewise, in 2023 One&Only Mandarina obtained this certification for the first time, an important achievement given that it was the first time that it was audited under this standard and considering that it has been in operation only for 3 years.
Distinctive “S”: It is granted by the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR). It recognizes tourism companies in Mexico under the global sustainability criteria promoted by the World Tourism Organization and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
In Mayakoba, it has been held since 2016 by Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, and later by Andaz Mayakoba. One&Only Mandarina managed to obtain it in 2023.
Automated irrigation system at Fairmont Mayakoba: This year, Fairmont Mayakoba executed an irrigation system project in green areas using automated equipment to care for and monitor water consumption. As a result, a 20% decrease was obtained in the annual intensity of hotel water consumption, compared to 2022, and an absolute decrease in annual consumption of almost 10,000 m3.
Waste management: At RLH Properties, we are aware that waste generation is inherent to our operation. Therefore, we have strategies for responsible waste management, seeking its revaluation through recycling, reuse, and recovery whenever possible.
In 2023, our assets managed to reduce the percentage of landfill waste from 50% in 2022 to 30% this year. Likewise, 65% of organic waste was reused and sent to a pig farm.
ACTIONS SDG IMPACTED RLH Properties in the Corporate Integrity Index of the 500 Most Important Companies in Mexico (IC500): In 2019, RLH Properties set the goal of raising the level of corporate integrity, corporate governance, internal control, processes and procedures, and corporate structure, launching an ambitious action plan. This effort has been reflected in the position occupied in the IC500 Corporate Integrity ranking in which our company has gone from 5.9 points out of 100 in 2019 to 78.4 in 2020, 92.2 in 2021 and 2022, and obtaining 94.1 points in 2023.
RLH Properties Sustainability Strategy: In 2023, the work on the company’s sustainability strategy continued, carrying out the following:
1. Preparation and dissemination of the 2022 Annual Sustainability Report
2. Emissions Inventory 2022
3. Analysis of ESG KPIs and SPTs to 2030 in company assetsLikewise, work is being done on the strategic definition of the lines of action with the community for 2024 and ESG risk management assessment.
Recognitions for quality customer service: Our hotels were recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the hotel industry. This recognition and some others obtained throughout the year, accredit our hotels as a benchmark of excellence in guest service in the sector.
Four Seasons Mexico City:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #3 Top Hotels in Mexico
Andaz Mayakoba:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #9 Top Resorts in Eastern Mexico
Banyan Tree Mayakoba:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #5 Top Resorts in Eastern Mexico
Fairmont Mayakoba:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #1 Top Resorts in Eastern Mexico
Rosewood Mayakoba:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #4 Top Resorts in Eastern Mexico
One&Only Mandarina:
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #3 Top Resorts in Western Mexico.
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – #23 Best Resorts in the World
SOCIAL
ESR 2023 Distinction: On February 26, 2023, the Mexican Philanthropy Center (Cemefi) awarded RLH Properties the ESR 2023 Distinction, which recognizes and certifies before its stakeholders, companies that voluntarily and publicly assume the commitment to implement and continuously improve socially responsible management systems as part of its culture and business strategy.
The distinction is awarded to Mexican companies that align their business management in four strategic areas:
Partnership with Mexico Food Banks (BAMX): This year, our company continued the strategic partnership with Mexico Food Banks through RLH to Rescue initiative. It consists of the recovery of surplus food suitable for consumption for the benefit of vulnerable populations, also contributing to reducing emissions that would have been generated if the food had been discarded. In 2023, 4 tons of food were rescued, representing more than 13 thousand portions and avoiding generating around 2.6 Ton CO2eq emissions.
Suma de Todos Program: This program was launched in 2020 and invites guests of our hotels to participate in donating one dollar for each night of their stay, an amount matched 100% by RLH Properties. The total amount is allocated to various civil associations with academic and environmental projects. In 2023, 3.5 million pesos were raised from our guests, representing a total amount of 6.9 million pesos.
Development projects investment: During 2023 RLH Properties invested more than $60 million in development projects; mainly in the development of the Rosewood Mandarina hotel which will open its doors by the end of 2024. The development sector contributes to accelerating the economic growth of communities, generating employment, and finally becoming a pillar of consumption, investment, and added value.
Job creation: In addition to the economic benefit generated by our hotel and residential assets, RLH Properties contributes to the economic development of the communities in which it operates through the generation of quality jobs. Our company generated 4,239 direct jobs and nearly 6,500 indirect jobs during 2023.
The gender pay gap in our assets: For the OECD, the gender pay gap is one of the three most important aspects of gender inequality. Aligned with the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion whose objective is to promote a culture of equity and equality, at the end of 2023, our company’s assets presented a salary gap of practically zero. This confirms our company’s commitment to continue promoting the participation and empowerment of women in all areas.