The Global Sustainable Tourism Council(®) (GSTC)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council(®) (GSTC)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council(®) (GSTC) establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, known as the GSTC Standards. There are four sets: Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Standard for hotels and tour operators, MICE Standardfor Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions and Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism. They are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; and (D) Environmental impacts. Since tourism destinations each have their own culture, environment, customs, and laws, the Criteria are designed to be adapted to local conditions and supplemented by additional criteria for the specific location and activity.

For more information: www.gstcouncil.org


Sustainable Certification - LOHKAH

Lohkah Hotel & Spa adopts a systematic approach to sustainability as its core strategy. It has achieved the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certification, verified by Bureau Veritas. This prestigious certification demonstrates the hotel's full compliance with internationally recognised highest standards across the four core dimensions of sustainable tourism: Sustainable Management, Socio-economic Benefits, Cultural Heritage, and Environmental Conservation. This authoritative certification serves not only as recognition of the hotel's current environmental performance, but its rigorous standard framework also provides a clear benchmark and a roadmap for continuous improvement.


 Sustainable initiatives 

Comprehensive Energy-Efficient Design
Renewable Energy Utilisation
Sustainable Water Brand Partnership
Environmentally Preferable & Locally Sourced Materials
Ecological Protection & Integration
Guest Environmental Protection Advocacy

Comprehensive Energy-Efficient Design

Lohkah Hotel & Spa implements large-scale LED lighting across its premises, achieving over 95% coverage in guest rooms, landscaped gardens, banquet halls, and other areas. The hotel employs a high-efficiency central air-conditioning system with a coefficient of performance (COP) ≥ 5.0. Furthermore, through passive design strategies – including the use of silk-interlayered glass to maximise natural daylighting, optimised ventilation systems, and extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation within external walls and roofing – the hotel significantly reduces active energy demands.

Renewable Energy Utilisation

Lohkah Hotel & Spa has installed 735 m² of solar thermal collectors on the roofs of its Banquet Hall and Building 1 to pre-heat domestic hot water. This system yields annual savings of approximately 10,000 cubic metres of natural gas. Additionally, photovoltaic (PV) systems deployed on Buildings 8 and 3 generate roughly 110,000 kWh of electricity annually. This renewable energy is directly fed into the hotel's electrical grid, resulting in annual electricity cost savings.

Sustainable Water Brand Partnership

In April 2025, Lohkah Hotel & Spa became the first hotel in Greater China to partner with Swiss brand BE WTR. This initiative replaces traditional bottled water with purified water from an on-site filtration system, served in reusable glass bottles to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The programme has been extended to food & beverage outlets and wedding banquets – including the provision of bespoke bottled water for wedding events.

Environmentally Preferable & Locally Sourced Materials

Lohkah Hotel & Spa strictly prohibits the use of highly polluting construction materials, such as asbestos. Concurrently, the hotel actively prioritises locally sourced materials – including Shijing Rust Stone and terracotta tiles – dramatically cutting transport-related carbon emissions while supporting local industries and preserving cultural heritage.

Ecological Protection & Integration

From the initial site selection and design phases, Lohkah Hotel & Spa prioritised seamless integration with the adjacent wetland park ecosystem. This commitment ensured the maximum possible preservation of the site's original flora and fauna habitats. Furthermore, the hotel exercises extreme diligence in vegetation selection, strictly avoiding the introduction of invasive alien species. This deliberate selection process minimises disruption to the local natural ecology.

Guest Environmental Protection Advocacy

Placing reminder cards in guest rooms to encourage guests to reduce the frequency of linen and towel changes, and actively promoting paperless measures such as electronic menus, effectively reduces paper consumption.

Sustainable Certification - KAIPUU

Bureau Veritas issued the first Global Sustainable Tourism Certificate in mainland China for the Small Luxury Hotels brand, KAIPUU, covering both of its locations. As the first Small Luxury Hotels brand in China to receive GSTC certification, KAIPUU commits to managing every future hotel in accordance with GSTC-certified standards. This includes focusing on climate, marine resources, socio-economic factors, biodiversity risks, and sustainable talent management, all while promoting sustainable development within the hotel and tourism industry.


 Sustainable initiatives 

Empowering Local Culture & Creating Artistic Spaces
Empowering Local Employment & Ingredient Sourcing
Eco-Friendly Upgrade of Guest Room Consumables
Applying Energy-Saving Technologies to Improve Energy Efficiency
Advocating Green Stay & Practicing Low-Carbon Energy Conservation
Linen Recycling Program for Sustainable Accommodation
Revitalizing Historic Buildings & Deepening Local Culture

Empowering Local Culture & Creating Artistic Spaces

KAIPUU provide numerous opportunities for local artisans to promote their crafts, ensuring that guests can experience the rich cultural heritage of the region. Here are some keyways we achieve this: Many items placed in guest rooms and common areas of the hotel are crafted by local artisans. This not only enhances the guest experience by showcasing traditional culture but also supports local craftsmanship. KAIPUU BELFRY features installations and artworks by notable artists such as Zhang Yawen, and Guo Guozhu. KAIPUU ON THE REEF features installations and artworks by notable artists such as Nizhiqi, and Wu Yumo.These installations not only beautify our space but also provide a platform for artists to gain recognition. We emphasize the fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities, ensuring that the cultural heritage is preserved and appreciated in contemporary contexts. This approach attracts guests who value authentic and unique cultural experiences. KAIPUU organize workshops and live demonstrations by local artisans, allowing guests to engage directly with the creators and learn about traditional techniques. This not only provides artisans with a platform to showcase their skills but also enriches the guest experience. Artisanal products are available for purchase in our hotel’s boutique, allowing guests to take a piece of the local culture home with them. We also highlight these products on our website and social media channels, expanding the reach of local artisans.

Empowering Local Employment & Ingredient Sourcing

Seventy percent of the hotel's employees are local residents, ensuring that the community benefits from job opportunities and career advancement, including in management positions. Eighty percent of the ingredients used are sourced locally, which supports local agriculture and reduces carbon emissions from imported, air-freighted ingredients.

Eco-Friendly Upgrade of Guest Room Consumables

KAIPUU actively work to eliminate single-use plastics by using recyclable or biodegradable materials for daily consumables in guest rooms, such as bathroom amenities and food packaging to underscoring our commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.

Applying Energy-Saving Technologies to Improve Energy Efficiency

KAIPUU enhance energy efficiency by utilizing solar energy and energy-saving devices. For example, the lighting systems use energy-efficient LEDs, and the heating systems are optimized to reduce electricity consumption. These measures help us minimize our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Advocating Green Stay & Practicing Low-Carbon Energy Conservation

At KAIPUU, we adhere to environmental standards by encouraging guests to set air conditioning and shower water temperatures to constant levels, thereby reducing emissions and promoting energy conservation. We are committed to ongoing efforts in environmental sustainability, including measures for water conservation and environmentally sensitive wastewater treatment.

Linen Recycling Program for Sustainable Accommodation

KAIPUU actively promotes environmental responsibility by inviting guests to participate in our linen recycling program. Information in each guest room encourages the reuse of towels and sheets, empowering our guests to contribute to our sustainable initiatives and reduce their environmental footprint.

Revitalizing Historic Buildings & Deepening Local Culture

KAIPUU BELFRY is situated in the historic "Quanzhou BELFRY Department Store," a turn-of-the-century landmark in Midtown, embodying the spirit and classic architecture of Quanzhou. KAIPUU's interior design draws heavily from local intangible cultural heritage, incorporating traditional elements that reflect the region’s rich history and traditions. This approach not only supports the preservation of cultural heritage but also offers our guests a deep connection to the local culture.

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