The Malaysian hospitality industry took a significant step towards sustainable tourism with the launch of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) certification for hotels and resorts. This pioneering initiative is a collaborative effort between SGS, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and SAIMATRIX INTERGRATED.
On June 14, 2024, all parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and officially launched the ESG certification. Surya Kumar, Undersecretary of the Tourism Licensing and Enforcement Division from The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) attended the event as the guest of honor.
Officially Supported by MOTAC
Officially supported by MOTAC, ESG Certification for Malaysian Hotels & Resorts aims to provide clear guidelines and a comprehensive, holistic and measurable checklist for hotels and resorts in Malaysia. The certification will serve as the industry's benchmark, following the nation's 2030 vision for sustainable tourism. By adopting these standards, hotels and resorts can ensure they operate in an environmentally responsible, socially equitable and well-governed manner.
Front (from left to right): Pradit Yongpanchai, Managing Director of SGS in Malaysia, Datin Christina Toh, President of Malaysian Association of Hotels, Surya Kumar, Undersecretary of Tourism Licensing and Enforcement from MOTAC and Dr Balasundram Balan, Managing Director of SAIMATRIX INTEGRATED.
Witnesses at the back (from left to right): Kenny Looi from SGS in Malaysia, Isaac Raj from MAH and Susie Peter from SAIMATRIX INTERGRATED.
Pathways to ESG certification
There are a few steps to achieve and maintain ESG certification specifically designed for the Malaysian hospitality industry:
- Engagement and commitment
Hotels and resorts begin their journey towards ESG certification by participating in Basic ESG Training from SAIMATRIX INTERGRATED. This initial step introduces the requirements of certification and provides essential knowledge of ESG principles. By engaging in this training, establishments can better understand the expectations involved in pursuing the certification, allowing them to assess their level of commitment and readiness for the process. - Pre-assessment and gap analysis
Following training, hotels and resorts undergo a pre-assessment and gap analysis conducted by SGS. This comprehensive process evaluates the establishment's current practices and performance against the established ESG framework, identifying areas needed for improvement. - Implementation
Based on the findings of the gap analysis, SAIMATRIX INTERGRATED facilitates hotels and resorts to develop and implement action plans to address identified gaps and enhance their performance in key ESG areas. These action plans are tailored to the specific needs and priorities of each establishment, ensuring targeted and effective improvements. - Reporting
Once the necessary improvements have been made, hotels and resorts undergo a rigorous certification audit conducted by SGS. This audit evaluates the establishment's adherence to the ESG framework and assesses its eligibility for certification. - ESG certification award
Upon successful completion of the audit process and verification of compliance with ESG standards, hotels and resorts are awarded ESG certification. This prestigious certification serves as a testament to their dedication to sustainable practices and responsible tourism. - Certification renewals
To maintain certification status, hotels and resorts undergo yearly renewals. This ensures that certified establishments continue to uphold ESG standards and remain committed to sustainability in the long term.
Our expertise in ESG
As the appointed certification body, SGS provides comprehensive services including GAP analysis, auditing and certification. Our rigorous standards and thorough evaluation processes ensure that hotels and resorts meet the highest levels of environmental, social and governance criteria. Our expertise in conducting detailed assessments and providing actionable feedback is critical in helping establishments achieve and maintain ESG compliance.
For further information about ESG Certification for Malaysian Hotels & Resorts, please contact us.
Find out more about general information about ESG certification.
About the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH)
About SAIMATRIX INTERGRATED
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
