Sustainability at Meliá

"At Meliá Hotels International we aim to integrate the values and principles of sustainable development into our business processes and our relationship with all of our stakeholders (employees, clients, owners, investors, suppliers, society and the environment).

We believe that sustainability is a key factor which will allow tourism to continue to be a driver of economic growth. That is why we are committed to constant improvement and to ensure our future thanks to the responsible use of resources.

We would like our commitment and actions to help strengthen our relationship with our stakeholders. It makes us different and reinforces our position as a responsible, stable, safe and attractive company for all those who come to us."

CORPORATE COMMITMENTS TO...

The environment

We help conserve the environment, evaluating the impact of our activities and promoting awareness of sustainability amongst our stakeholders.

The local community

We contribute to the development of the local community, supporting and promoting their culture and traditional values.

Society

We actively contribute to the generation of wealth and the sustainable development of the communities in which we operate, with a special focus on children and the most vulnerable.

MELIÁ BARCELONA INITIATIVES

Energy and climate change

• Meliá Hotels International Energy Efficiency SAVE Project (corporate programme)
• Comprehensive Preventive and Corrective Maintenance Plan
• Energy efficient installations and lighting systems

Reduction of water use

• Systems to reduce water flow (aerators and dual flush systems in cisterns)
• Increase guest awareness by involving them in responsible use of resources during their stay

Waste management and recycling

• Selective waste collection linked to hotel management and hotel operations
• Document destruction and recycling service
• Reusable tablecloths
• Internal policy for reusing paper
• Use of recycled paper
• Invoices sent by email

Environmental training

• All our employees are trained in environmental issues

Sustainable mobility

• We encourage our guests to use bikes for getting round, as well as to enjoy our city on foot
• We encourage our employees to use bikes to get to work and provide a special parking area for their bikes

Local, healthy food

• Menus comprising local products from local suppliers made in our own kitchens
• Special menus for customers with special needs (celiac disease sufferers and diabetics)
• Coffee with UTZ sustainable management certification

Cultural resources

• We let our guests know about important cultural resources and events in the city
• We let our guests know about the leisure facilities available in our community
• We inform our guests about the social, cultural and environmental principles of our business and operations

Social involvement

• UNICEF – We are a “Friend of Children Hotel”, Unicef partner and committed to the wellbeing of children. We raise awareness amongst our guests and employees both about the work of UNICEF and fundraising to fight child exploitation
• MAPFRE – Training programme for young adults at risk of social exclusion
• ONCE Foundation - Inserta Programme – Training and internships for people with disabilities
• Food Bank – We help to collect funds and food for people most in need
• Blood and Tissue Bank – We actively help to encourage blood donations
• Friends of the Aged – Solidarity and volunteering to support the older members of our community
• Charities – Solidarity Christmas Campaign, donation of clothes and toys
• Emmaus Social Kitchen Project (Rotary) - We provide meals every week to feed vulnerable and financially troubled families and the elderly

AWARDS FOR THE MELIÁ BARCELONA

Biosphere Hotel

Since 2009 Meliá Barcelona has been certified as a Biosphere Hotel, a prestigious award granted and renewed every year by the Institute of Responsible Tourism, an organisation associated with UNESCO.

Through our sustainable tourism policy, Meliá Barcelona is committed to providing the best services and facilities to guests in a responsible way, respecting social, cultural and environmental values.

One of our main objectives is the maximum involvement of our employees and partners, to guarantee the satisfaction of our guests and, at the same time, raise awareness and involve them in this ambitious and necessary goal.

A result of its strong roots and social commitment, Meliá Barcelona aims to lead by example every day, ensuring we provide the city of Barcelona with a responsible legacy based on a constant search for balance between the needs of the present and the needs of future generations; while also minimizing the impact of our activity on the environment.