Roadmap

WAVE OF CHANGE REDUCED PLASTIC DRINKING STRAWS BY 90%

In 2017, Wave of Change reduced drinking straws in our operations by 90%. The straws were replaced with biodegradable alternatives.

IMPLEMENTED COMPOSTING PROGRAM IN EUROPE

In line with the European Strategy for Plastics in Circular Economy, we implemented a composting program in Mallorca. Composting is a convenient way to dispose of organic waste and will help move us towards becoming waste free by 2025.

IBEROSTAR PARTNERED WITH THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS

To ensure we are generating a positive impact in the locations where they operate, Iberostar partnered with established and accredited organizations around the world such as the European Strategy for Plastics.

IBEROSTAR PARTNERED WITH TIRME

To ensure we are generating a positive impact in the locations where they operate, Iberostar partnered with the sustainable waste management company Tirme in Mallorca, Spain.

38,100 ROOMS FREE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

Our path to a circular economy started with removing single-use plastics from all of our hotel rooms. In 2019, we successfully removed single-use plastics from the hotel rooms across our entire operations.

2019 in Review

IBEROSTAR JOINED GLOBAL TOURISM PLASTICS INITIATIVE AS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization with aim to unite the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. Through our continued leadership in responsible tourism, Iberostar joined as an advisory committee member in 2020.

OFFSETTING CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH MANGROVES

We are working to achieve carbon neutrality through conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems in our destinations. Through mangrove planting, these programs will enable us to offset at least 75% of our carbon emission by 2030 in addition to filtering and cleaning our water.

Nature's Roots

CREATED WASTE MANAGEMENT TEAM

In 2020, Iberostar created a team dedicated to understanding best waste management practices and implementing those practices. This will help as we work to reach our goal of becoming waste-free by 2025.

LAUNCHING IMPULSA PLATFORM FOR HOTELS IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS

Iberostar has been working with IMPULSA on developing a manual for hotels in the Balearic Islands to work towards a circular economy. In 2021, Iberostar will launch the platform with IMPULSA.

100% WASTE REDUCTION

Relative to our 2021 baseline, Iberostar will reduce waste sent to landfill by 100% by 2025. 

COMPENSATE 75% COASTAL HEALTH WITH 25% PURCHASED CREDITS

By 2030, Iberostar will compensate 75% of our carbon footprint with coastal health with 25% purchased credits.

FIRST HOTEL CHAIN IN SOUTHERN EUROPE AWARDED CHAIN OF CUSTODY CERTIFICATION

In 2018, Iberostar became the first hotel chain in Southern Europe awarded Chain of Custody certification from the Marine Stewardship Council for responsible seafood.

Commitment to Responsible Seafood

UNDERSTANDING SEAFOOD INVENTORY

In an effort to understand our seafood inventory and how to move towards 100% responsible seafood, we began a collaboration with WWF and FishWise to develop an analysis of each of the species in our inventory.

ELIMINATED AT RISK OR "RED LIST" SPECIES

Understanding the importance of eliminating at risk and “Red List” species, we eliminated all of those species from our inventory. This included removing species listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered and eliminating species listed in Appendix I or II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

INCREASED AMOUNT OF MSC RESTAURANTS

In an effort in increase the amount of certified seafood we have, Iberostar certified restaurants in both the Dominican Republic and Mexico, bringing our total number of MSC/ASC Chain of Custody certified restaurants to 7.

CONTINUED OUR CERTIFIED SEAFOOD JOURNEY

By end of the 2020, Iberostar increased the amount of certified Chain of Custody restaurants from 7 to 14.

INCREASED VOLUME OF RESPONSIBLY SOURCED SPECIES TO 45%

Through working from the 120-plus species currently in our global procurement, Iberostar worked towards 45% responsibly sourced seafood by 2020.

RESPECTED ALL SEASONAL CLOSURES IN THE AREAS WHERE WE OPERATE

Part of our path towards 100% responsible seafood by 2025 is ensuring that we are contributing to the sustainability of the oceans. This includes respecting the seasonal closures of the areas where we operate.

INCREASE VOLUME OF RESPONSIBLY SOURCED SPECIES TO 65%

By 2021, Iberostar will continue working to increase the amount of responsibly sourced seafood to 65%. Additionally Iberostar will complete the data collection of properties in Morocco, Tunisia and Greece and transition their purchasing to responsible sources.

 

Transparency

Iberostar will publish an annual report on progress.

Reform

Identify and participate in at least two Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in which we can
engage as active stakeholders.

Participate in Sustainable Fisheries Partnerships Supplier Roundtables.

WORKING WITH THE GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE

Iberostar is working with the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) to ensure that by 2022, 15% of our procurement is from a fishery certified by a certification scheme recognized by GSSI.

DATA COLLECTION & TRACEABILITY

Iberostar will complete the data collection of properties in Cuba and transition their purchasing to responsible sources. Additionally, Iberostar will work with external NGO to audit and validate Iberostar procurement data/Key Data Elements (KDE’s).

EDUCATION

Iberostar will support fishermen’s workshops to review work plans to implement Fishery Improvement Projects, participate in Sustainable Fisheries Partnerships Supplier Roundtables and support events and workshops that aim to educate chefs and producers about seafood responsibility and how to improve sourcing.

LIFTING LOCAL

Iberostar will implement framework for local fisheries not certified, assessed or in improvement to evaluate the health of the stock and impact of fishing practices as it relates to Iberostar’s definition of responsible.

Iberostar will identify percentage volume capacity for local/fresh products that fit this criterion in our global
procurement.

Iberostar will build collective knowledge of local species and their gastronomical heritage, share with our
guests

100% OF IBEROSTAR'S SEAFOOD PROCUREMENT HAS KEY DATA ELEMENTS

Purchasing responsible seafood involves understand all Key Data Elements involved. By doing so, Iberostar will achieve full traceability in our seafood supply chain and increase the volume of responsibly sourced species to 85%. We will ensure 100% of Iberostar’s seafood procurement has all Key Data Elements (KDEs) reported, achieving full traceability in our seafood supply chain.

REFORM

Iberostar will Create a platform for collective action across the tourism sector to help achieve global UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Compact tipping point in achieving global seafood traceability as well as supporting initiatives such as Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Target 75.

PUBLISH ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRESS

By understanding our progress and seeing how close we are to reaching our goal of 100% responsibly sourced seafood, we can develop a strategy around these results to achieve that goal. A report will be published on our progress towards that goal. Additionally, we will increasing sourcing to 25% of our total global procurement that follows our definition of “responsible.”

REFORM

In alignment with achieving global food security and 1.5˚C by 2050, we will support the movement towards increased consumption of responsibly sourced ocean-based protein by increasing total per capita fish protein consumption by 15% since 2020.

REACHING OUR COMMITMENT

Through verifiable data, in 2025 Iberostar plans to reach 100% responsible seafood in our procurement. This includes 25% of procurement from a fishery certified by a certification scheme recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative.

ENSURING 25% OF OUR SEAFOOD SUPPLY IS FROM CERTIFIED SOURCES

By 2025, Iberostar will have 100% of our seafood from responsible sources. This includes 25% from certified sources that prove Chain of Custody along with a comprehensive report on the completion of 100% responsible sourcing.

Wave of Change Recipe Book

We will publish the Wave of Change Recipe Book: “Celebrating Local Gastronomic Heritage” and highlighting local cuisine, local seafood and our journey to sustainability in the geographies where we operate.

ESTABLISHED IN-WATER CORAL NURSERY

In partnership with FUNDEMAR, Iberostar established a coral nursery in 2016 in the Dominican Republic to help improve coastal health. The nursery has grown significantly since then in great thanks to our partners at FUNDEMAR.

IBEROSTAR CREATED CATEDRA DEL MAR CHAIR

In 2018, Iberostar Group and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) signed a collaboration agreement for the creation of the ‘Iberostar del Mar’ Research Chair, which was held by Dr. Guillem Mateur, a professor in the UIB’s Department of Biology.

'Iberostar del Mar’ University Chair

LAUNCHED MANGROVE PROJECT TO IMPROVE ECOSYSTEMS

Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow mainly in tropical coastal ecosystems. A mangrove restoration project was launched in 2018 to enhance natural biofiltration properties and purify wastewater.

IBEROSTAR DEL MAR CHAIR SCHOLARSHIPS

In its first year, the Iberostar del Mar Chair awarded ten scholarships to students and young researchers at the University of the Balearic Islands in three categories: Aid for the exhibition of research papers of Final Degree (TFG) and Master (TFM), help stimulate mobility aimed at doctoral students and help create research projects aimed at doctoral students.

FIRST REEF FUTURES VISIT

The first visit we received during 2019 was writer Dr. Juli Berwald. Dr. Berwald accompanied us for one week, observing the fieldwork we carried out collecting different genotypes of corals for our genetic bank at both our Coral Lab and underwater nursery.

SECOND YEAR CALENDAR PROJECT

In 2019, we visited schools near our facilities attended by children of our employees. Through these visits we have the opportunity to tell children up to ten years old about the importance of coastal health and the ecosystems that surround it. We visited five total schools in four countries (Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil and the Dominican Republic) and met with 356 kids. With this, we created a total of
975 calendars.

Wave of Change Calendar Project

STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON CORAL BLEACHING

In May 2019, Dr. Megan Morikawa and Dr. Stephen Palumbi of Stanford University, California saw their paper in Procedures while using the National Academy of Sciences, featured in The Economist. The study was about the effects of global warming on coral bleaching, and how different species react to these changes.

ASSESSMENT AND GENOTYPING

During 2019, Johanna submitted TO PeerJ her first paper since she joined the company; “Assessment and genotyping of threatened staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis nurseries for restoration in southeastern Dominican Republic.”

ESTABLISHED NEW CORAL NURSERIES IN MEXICO

Understanding the importance of restoring coral reefs, in partnership with CINVESTAV, Iberostar established two new coral nurseries to contribute to the improving health of the Caribbean. These nurseries are both located in Mexico, one in front of our Paraiso complex and the other in Cozumel.

Establishing our second coral nursery

OFFSET CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH MANGROVES

We are working to achieve carbon neutrality through conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems in our destinations. By planting mangroves in and around the locations where we operate, it will enable us to offset at least 75% of our carbon emission by 2030 in addition to filtering and cleaning our water.

Looking at Nature’s Roots

ALL ECOSYSTEMS SURROUNDING IBEROSTAR PROPERTIES ARE IMPROVING IN ECOLOGICAL HEALTH ALONGSIDE PROFITABLE TOURISM

Through the discovery, protection and restoration of seagrasses, coral reefs and mangroves, Iberostar is committed to having all ecosystems surrounding our properties improving in ecological health alongside profitable tourism by 2030.

 

ESTABLISHED THE IBEROSTAR FOUNDATION

In 2005, Iberostar established the Iberostar Foundation with three areas of action: Education, People and Social Innovation.

ALLIANCE WITH UNICEF

By 2008, the Iberostar Foundation recognized a unique opportunity to begin an alliance with UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund).

ADHESION TO UNWTO GLOBAL ETHICAL CODE FOR TOURISM

In recognition that there was and still is much work to do within tourism, in 2012 Iberostar worked with the UNWTO Global Ethical Code for Tourism.

CREATED THE IBEROSTAR PACT FOR PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABILITY

In 2014, Iberostar created the Iberostar Pact for Progress in Sustainability which required our vendors to adhere to certain principles mandated by Iberostar.

ADHESION TO UNWTO GLOBAL ETHICAL CODE FOR TOURISM

In 2015, Iberostar continued its relationship with the United Nations World Tourism Organization by sticking and reinforcing the UNWTO Global Ethical Code for Tourism.

IBEROSTAR BEGAN ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

The World Economic Forum is an international organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Iberostar joined in the discussions concerning the world political economy that includes environmental, social and economic concerns.

IBEROSTAR JOINED UN GLOBAL COMPACT

In an effort to continually improve the workplace environment for our employees, Iberostar joined the UN Global Compact focusing on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.

IBEROSTAR ESTABLISHED WAVE OF CHANGE MOVEMENT

In 2018, Iberostar established the Wave of Change movement to protect the oceans and lead responsible tourism. The movement was born with three pillars: moving beyond plastics and towards a circular economy, promoting the responsible consumption of seafood and improving coastal health.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS

Understanding that education is incredibly important to ensure the future health of our oceans, Iberostar created the Catedra Del Mar with the University of the Balearic Islands. Each year, scholarships are awarded for students to perform marine research.

IBEROSTAR DEL MAR CHAIR SCHOLARSHIPS

In its first year, the Iberostar del Mar Chair awarded ten scholarships to students and young researchers at the University of the Balearic Islands in three categories: Aid for the exhibition of research papers of Final Degree (TFG) and Master (TFM), help stimulate mobility aimed at doctoral students and help create research projects aimed at doctoral students.

SECOND YEAR CALENDAR PROJECT

In 2019, we visited schools near our facilities attended by children of our employees. Through these visits we have the opportunity to tell children up to ten years old about the importance of coastal health and the ecosystems that surround it. We visited five total schools in four countries (Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil and the Dominican Republic) and met with 356 kids. With this, we created a total of 975 calendars.

Wave of Change Calendar Project

IBEROSTAR PARTNERED WITH THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS

To ensure we are generating a positive impact in the locations where they operate, Iberostar partnered with established and accredited organizations around the world such as the European Strategy for Plastics.

IBEROSTAR PARTNERED WITH TIRME

To ensure we are generating a positive impact in the locations where they operate, Iberostar partnered with the sustainable waste management company Tirme in Mallorca, Spain.

COLLABORATION WITH EARTHCHECK

EarthCheck, the global travel and tourism industry leader in scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory services, continued their collaboration with Iberostar to certify 35 of its hotels by the end of 2019.

IBEROSTAR JOINED GLOBAL TOURISM PLASTICS INITIATIVE AS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization with aim to unite the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. Through our continued leadership in responsible tourism, Iberostar joined as an advisory committee member in 2020.

IBEROSTAR JOINED CE100 NETWORK

Bringing together business, innovators, cities and governments, universities, and thought leaders, the CE100 network works to share ideas on building ideas towards a circular economy. In 2020, Iberostar joined the CE100 network.

BY 2023, 90% OF CLIENTS IN-STAY RECOGNIZE WAVE OF CHANGE

Understanding the importance of client recognition of Wave of Change, we are committed to increase the awareness of Wave of Change in-stay in our hotels. This will be done through several methods of communication with clients pre, during and post-stay.

BY 2025, WAVE OF CHANGE WILL BE A MAJOR DRIVER FOR 60% OF CLIENTS TO CHOOSE IBEROSTAR

Through different means of communication both inside and outside the hotel, we are working to make Wave of Change a major driver for our clients to come stay in our hotels and resorts.

 

Leading Responsible Tourism

Iberostar is committed to leading responsible tourism across the tourism industry. This includes developing our own certification or partner certification and having that adopted by other tourism businesses to ensure the health of our oceans for future generations to come.