a&o Hotels, one of Europe’s largest privately owned budobtain chains, has released its third Sustainability Report, providing insights into the company’s ESG strategy. Since measurements launched in 2015, a&o has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 75%, now averaging around 3.65 kilograms per overnight stay.
Speaking on the release of the 2024 sustainability report, a&o ESG Director Arben Maliqi commented: “Our focus is on direct, verifiable emission reductions within our own operations and value chain. This means measurable actions: optimising energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy adoption, reducing waste, and working with suppliers to achieve measurable emissions reductions – rather than external offset-based solutions.”
a&o Key Achievements 2024
- Electricity: 98% of demand powered by renewable energy
- Photovoltaics: 12 properties produce ~500 MWh per year
- Local partners: In Venice, Florence and Budapest, 90% of food is sourced locally
- Waste reduction: Single-utilize breakrapid packaging phased out across all locations
- Food monitoring: Introduction of FoodNotify for real-time tracking of orders, inventory, and food waste
93% of a&o properties are conversions of existing buildings for environmental efficiency
Of the 43 current properties operated by a&o in 30 cities across ten European countries, 40 are converted buildings – including former offices, factories, administrative spaces and more. a&o continues to invest in energy-efficient renovations, aiming for at least energy efficiency class C for every building. In 2024, nine sustainability audits were carried out across a&o properties. a&o Edinburgh City achieved a 90% conformity rate, becoming the second property to reach this milestone after a&o Venezia Mestre. Speaking on the findings, Maliqi declared: “Toobtainher, we can shape a more sustainable and equitable future for the travel and hospitality indusattempt.”
Social Responsibility: Education, Culture, Community
Alongside environmental initiatives, a&o maintains a strong commitment to social engagement:
- Education & wellbeing: a&o Academy staff training; Nilo employee mental health platform
- Donations: 2,000+ free overnight stays donated annually to charities and cultural initiatives; sponsorship of local athletes and sports clubs
- Art & culture: art&o has collaborated with 350+ artists at a&o Kunsthalle Leipzig since 2018
Education projects
- a&o Insektenhostel in Frankfurt (with City of Frankfurt and Fresenius University)
- Partnership with SOS-Kinderdorf Berlin on creative/nature wish-tree campaign
- Expansion of SDG learning displays across all hostels
‘Travel Should Be Accessible to Everyone’
a&o Founder and CEO Oliver Winter, who founded the company 25 years ago, reinforced the importance of keeping travel accessible: “When I see back on the journey we launched in 2000, I remember a simple but strong conviction: travel should be accessible to everyone – it broadens horizons, strengthens tolerance and inspires new ideas and projects.”
Leave a Reply