Keio Plaza Hotels is joining as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
The Keio Plaza Hotels operates a series of luxury hotels, with its flagship location in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The chain emphasizes hospitality, offering a wide range of services, including high-end dining, meeting spaces, and cultural experiences like kimono dressings and Japanese tea ceremonies. The hotel aims to create a “plaza” atmosphere where guests can feel connected, whether for business or leisure.
Sustainability Commitment
The Keio Plaza Hotels chain aims to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through various initiatives aligned with the SDGs, focusing on social inclusivity and environmental responsibility. Their approach to universal design ensures that facilities are accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities, through regular updates and guest-driven feedback.
The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is also an active participant in “The Valuable 500,” a global initiative aimed at promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in business. Keio Plaza Hotels also continues to promote barrier-free and equal access spaces through its SDGs Promotion Committee, representing diverse departments within the company. Its goal is to create an inclusive culture where diversity is encouraged.
Additionally, under the philosophy of being a ‘plaza’ where a diverse range of guests can gather and relax, and a place for encounters and interactions beyond nationalities and races, they have been enhancing their business activities with the aim of contributing to society. To this end, they have been making progress in improving accessibility and environmental measures. Among these efforts, their promotion of universal services, which has been implemented ahead of others in the industry, was recognized, and on September 10, 2021, they received certification under the ‘Barrier-Free Mindset Certification System for Tourism Facilities’ established by the Japan Tourism Agency.
Katsuyoshi Wakabayashi, President of Keio Plaza Hotel, said, “As a company, we have also made significant efforts to fulfill our corporate social responsibility by promoting the SDGs throughout our chain. We have been at the forefront of implementing universal services, ensuring that each guest enjoys a safe and comfortable stay. Environmental conservation is also considered a part of our 
hospitality, and we have proactively engaged in initiatives such as wastewater and oil recycling, rooftop greening, and reducing plastic use and greenhouse gas emissions from an early stage.”
President Wakabayashi added, “Our recent membership in the GSTC represents a new step toward a sustainable future. As we welcome many international tourists, we are committed to providing all of our guests with a comfortable, environmentally-friendly stay in line with global standards, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society. We look forward to continuing our pioneering spirit, working together with GSTC to open a new era in sustainable tourism.”
GSTC Welcomes Keio Plaza Hotels
“We are pleased that Keio Plaza Hotels has joined our global network as a GSTC Member and are committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices. We look forward to working with them to advance together in the direction of this shared and significant goal,” said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
About Keio Plaza Hotels
Keio Plaza Hotel is a hotel chain operating primarily in Tokyo, with its flagship hotel, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, located in Shinjuku. The chain also operates hotels in Hachioji, Tokyo, and Sapporo, Hokkaido. As a member of the Keio Group, the Shinjuku location opened in 1971, followed by the Sapporo and Hachioji hotels. Since then, the chain has provided high-quality service and comfortable accommodations to both domestic and international tourists and business travelers.
The hotel chain embraces the “Plaza Concept,” positioning itself as a plaza where a wide range of guests can gather and relax. Keio Plaza Hotels has been a pioneer in introducing various innovative initiatives and is renowned for its convenient urban locations, extensive facilities, and hospitality-driven services.
Keio Plaza Hotel aims to continue being a hotel of choice for guests from around the world by combining regionally rooted hospitality with efforts toward a sustainable future.
More information here: https://www.keioplaza.com/ | Keio Plaza Hotel Hachioji | Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo (keioplaza-sapporo.co.jp)
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
