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Gostelow Report: Taking sustainability seriously at Minor

“Like a growing number of other hoteliers we are really aware of sustainability. We were among the first to stop plastic drinking straws and we do have some hotels which are entirely plastic free front-of-house – an initiative that we are, where feasible, expanding,” says Thomas Meier, senior vice president of operations Asia, Minor Hotels (MINT), based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Thomas Meier at Anantara Siam Bangkok
Thomas Meier at Anantara Siam Bangkok

“Instead of Christmas cards and calendars, we send emails saying we have donated to Minor Hotels’ own charities. We are also, for instance, working on making our laundries more efficient. What is the point of asking guests to re-use bed and bathroom linens if you have old-fashioned, energy-hungry laundry equipment?”

Everything within day-to-day operations has had to be more efficient, with sustainability always in mind. Meier is the rock who balances the somewhat-peripatetic activities of his ultimate bosses, MINT Chairman William E. Heinecke (HOTELS Corporate Hotelier of the Year 2017) and CEO Dillip Rajakarier, as they rush around the world adding more hotels, or whole brands.

The Meier territory stretches from The Maldives east to China, 35 properties, with a confirmed pipeline of 26. He has Anantaras, Avanis, Tivolis and Oaks, or which 75% are wholly or partly owned by Minor Hotels (“a great advantage as if we need to spend capex, permission can be given quickly and work can start immediately,” he explained). He also has 70 MSpas, five Mekong lodging-boats, three dining boats and a century-old rice barge – and he asset-manages five properties managed by third parties.

His responsibilities include talent, technology, F&B, sales and marketing, and social media, as well as service. “Our city hotels, which may have an average stay of under two nights, find it difficult to achieve the same service consistency as longer-stay resorts but I putting resort-type service helps urban quality,” he declared. He benchmarks with American Express and Virgin Atlantic. 

“Even from the start, our chairman, had a clever vision. In Bangkok, and in Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle, both also in Thailand, we deliberately have one managed hotel next to one managed by a third party. I think this creates an enhanced guest experience. In Bangkok, for instance, Anantara Siam Bangkok might take most of a meetings business with some senior leaders staying next door at St Regis Bangkok, which can also host a meal – this creates a great partnership between properties, and offers guests seamless diversity.”

Today’s guests are changing (“and not necessarily always for the better”). Food is a bigger opportunity than ever. “Rather than the traditional three-meal or all-day outlets we need restaurants that are aimed at lunch and dinner and, by the way, also offer breakfast,” Meier explained. 

He also has to feed the 15,000, on average, team members in his area. Each hotel has its own training center, and all newcomers get a course in sustainability. Team members learn about their role in supporting the Green Growth 2050 Global Standard, based on United Nations standards: Hotels are evaluated on 37 criteria and 406 indicators. 

“We take this very seriously. In addition, we have a number of our own charitable initiatives encompassing environmental, social and cultural conservation and sustainability – The Heinecke Fund, The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation and the Mai Kao Martine Turtle Foundation. Everyone in our company passionately believes in the world,” said Meier, seriously.

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