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THE ARTOTEL Group (AG) has achieved significant milestones in the national hotel industry by becoming the first local Indonesian hotel operator to obtain Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable practices. This achievement signifies the highest international recognition of the implementation of sustainable tourism standards.
This GSTC certificate was awarded to ARTOTEL Group as a hotel operator management company, along with four properties managed and selected as samples in the certification audit process: ARTOTEL Thamrin Jakarta, de Braga by ARTOTEL Bandung, ARTOTEL TS Suites Surabaya, and ARTOTEL Sanur Bali.
GSTC is an independent, international organization that promotes best practices while establishing strict operational guidelines and standards in sustainable tourism. The GSTC was formed through collaboration between the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). It acts as a global institution that sets the main benchmarks in assessing the extent to which the tourism industry applies sustainability principles in a real and measurable way.
AG and its four properties are currently undergoing an audit conducted by Control Union, an accredited certification body authorized to carry out the GSTC audit and verification process in Indonesia. The audit is focused on the following main criteria: (1). Sustainable Management (2). The third point pertains to socioeconomic benefits. Cultural Heritage (4). Environmental Conservation. This achievement aligns with the findings of numerous surveys conducted in 2024, which indicate that global tourists are now actively seeking accommodation options that implement tangible sustainability programs.
According to Eduard Rudolf Pangkerego, AG’s Chief Operating Officer, at the doorstop of the “Driving Growth with Sustainability” event on Wednesday, (11/19), 2025 said this initiative is a proactive step on the part of AG in response to current trends and needs. It is also in line with our company’s commitment to supporting the efforts of the Indonesian government to promote responsible and sustainable tourism.
“We are honored to be the first local hotel operator in Indonesia to obtain a GSTC certificate, and we take this achievement as a significant responsibility. This certification reflects our commitment to continue developing as a dynamic hospitality company, prioritizing innovation and quality, and now specifically implementing sustainability principles through the ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) program in every operational aspect of the hotels we manage,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yulia Maria, Director of Marketing Communications at AG, explained that ARTOTEL Group is further strengthening the implementation of ESG practices by launching The Art of Goodness program in 2022, which consists of practical activities: The ARTOTEL Earth, ARTOTEL Hope, and ARTOTEL Welfare are the three hotels in the ARTOTEL chain. In implementing The Art of Goodness program, AG recognizes the importance of establishing collaborative partnerships to ensure the efficient, directed, and sustainable implementation of ESG practices by hotel units.
“However, there are several AG partners, including: (1). The MVB Sustainability Consultant plays a pivotal role in collaborating with AG to promote the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles across the hotel’s operational team. This initiative encompasses the oversight of sustainability initiatives within each department to ensure compliance with established standards. (2). MATALESOGE hospitABLElity Academy is an educational institution that focuses on empowering individuals with special needs.
AG and MATALESOGE have collaborated since 2022, offering AG students who are also MATALESOGE members internship opportunities based on their abilities. Some of these interns have even transitioned into regular employees. Yulia stated that with MATALESOGE, AG has the opportunity to develop knowledge for hotel employees to get to know individuals with special needs. The objective is for the AG Hotel Network to become a hotel chain that is friendly to individuals with special needs.
She added that there is also an established partnership with (3). Bumiterra, AG will launch the ARTOTEL Green program, in which AG will actively participate in restoring Indonesian rainforests and empowering local communities through ecosystem and biodiversity restoration on land managed by Bumiterra on Kalimantan Island.
“Likewise, with (4). my Digital ESG Application, AG promotes ESG practices in each hotel unit to be executed independently. Through this digital application, hotel units can report energy and other resource reduction practices with ease,” Yulia affirmed.
However, with (5). Novooleum’s partnership program is designed to optimize and maximize the collection of used cooking oil from AG chain hotel units. This initiative supports the implementation of the Reuse & Recycle principle and encourages circular economy practices by converting waste into valuable resources.
“Finally, we are also establishing a partnership with UNICEF that will help raise public awareness, especially among hotel guests, regarding the well-being of Indonesian children,” she concluded. [traveltext.id].
