Berlin-based budget group a&o Hostels is the first hostel chain worldwide to receive an ESG rating of 2 from the renowned rating agency Sustainable Fitch. According to the CEO and founder Oliver Winter, the result of the analysis by Sustainable Fitch recognises the “considerable, sustained and effective efforts of the entire company to contribute together as a team to responsible travel in a liveable future.”
From the recent press release…
“In 2015, a&o started measuring its carbon footprint and was around 8.5 kilograms of CO2 per guest/overnight stay. Since then, emissions have been reduced by more than three kilograms, primarily through the switch to green electricity (electricity and gas), with the help of numerous water-saving measures and the conversion of all lights to LED, plus one-stop deliveries and the transition of the vehicle fleet to hybrid.”
With almost 29,000 beds at 40 locations in 25 cities and nine countries in Europe, by 2025 a&o wants to be the first zero-emission hostel chain in Europe.
a&o was founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter and now operates 40 hostels in 25 cities and nine European countries. The a&o guest mix is diverse: backpackers are part of the a&o target group, as are solo travelers, families, school groups and clubs. The number of business travelers and senior citizens is also increasing. The first location in the UK to open was a&o Edinburgh City in July 2021.
The full press release can be downloaded by clicking the button below
Image above features Oliver Winter and Director HR/ESG Anne Spanjersberg.