Barceló Hotel Group Joins the Global Sustainable Tourism Council

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The Barceló Hotel Group, a global hotel operator with over 300 hotels and 66,000 rooms in 30 countries, has officially joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This milestone reaffirms Barceló’s strong commitment to sustainability and regenerative tourism, aligning with international standards and best practices in responsible travel.

Barceló Hotel Group operates under four major brands: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels & Resorts, and Allegro Hotels. It ranks among the world’s largest hotel chains in terms of room capacity and has demonstrated consistent leadership in embedding sustainability throughout its operations.

Barceló Hotel Group’s sustainability strategy focuses on maximizing positive impacts on the destinations where it operates. The company aims to foster regenerative tourism that goes beyond minimizing harm — actively contributing to the restoration and enhancement of social, economic, and environmental systems. This philosophy underpins the group’s mission to support fair societies, ensure well-being, and care for the environment.

Since its founding over 90 years ago in Mallorca, Spain, Barceló has integrated sustainability as a core aspect of its business ethos. The company’s sustainability framework, known as Barceló ReGen, reflects its dedication to responsible growth and environmental stewardship. The Barceló ReGen standards have earned international recognition, making Barceló the first Spanish hotel chain to receive GSTC-Recognized Standard status.

Barceló’s ReGen standards are embedded within its SER Barceló management and training model. This comprehensive framework promotes both individual and collective development across the company while ensuring alignment with global sustainability commitments such as the United Nations Global Compact.

The SER Barceló model empowers employees to uphold sustainability principles in their daily work and decision-making, helping to advance the company’s regenerative tourism goals. It represents a cultural transformation that seeks to harmonize business success with social equity and environmental care.

In a significant achievement, four of Barceló Hotel Group’s properties have recently earned GSTC certification, verified by Bureau Veritas, a GSTC-accredited certification body. The certified hotels include:

This certification validates these hotels’ adherence to globally recognized sustainability criteria, covering environmental management, social responsibility, cultural heritage preservation, and economic benefits for local communities.

Looking ahead, Barceló plans to certify all of its hotels in Spain throughout 2025, reinforcing the company’s pledge to protect and positively influence the destinations it serves.

Raúl González, Chief Executive Officer for EMEA at Barceló Hotel Group, emphasized the importance of this milestone in the company’s sustainability journey.

GSTC CEO Randy Durband welcomed Barceló Hotel Group as a new member, praising its dedication to sustainability.

Founded in 1931 in Mallorca, Spain, Barceló Hotel Group is one of Europe’s most significant tourism enterprises. With a global footprint encompassing more than 300 hotels and 66,000 rooms in 30 countries, it stands among the world’s top 30 hotel chains by room count.

The group operates four main brands tailored to various market segments and guest preferences: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Barceló Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels & Resorts, and Allegro Hotels. Additionally, it forms part of Crestline Hotels & Resorts, an independent hotel company with over 130 establishments in the United States.

Barceló Hotel Group employs over 38,000 people worldwide who share the company’s mission to defend and promote regenerative tourism, thereby maximizing the positive economic, social, and environmental impacts in the destinations where it operates.

The membership of Barceló Hotel Group in the GSTC aligns with global and national sustainability frameworks championed by governments and international organizations. For example, Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources emphasizes sustainable tourism as a vital contributor to long-term economic and environmental health, encouraging industry players to adopt best practices that benefit local communities and ecosystems.

Similarly, Spain’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism actively supports sustainable tourism development, recognizing its role in preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural resources, and fostering inclusive growth across tourism-dependent regions. Barceló’s initiatives exemplify these principles, showcasing how private sector leadership can drive positive change.

The GSTC is the international body that establishes and manages global standards for sustainable tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria. These criteria provide a trusted framework for hotels, tour operators, destinations, and other tourism stakeholders to measure and improve their sustainability performance.

GSTC certification is globally recognized and ensures that organizations meet stringent standards in environmental management, social responsibility, and economic contribution. By joining the GSTC, Barceló Hotel Group commits to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in sustainability.

Barceló Hotel Group’s GSTC membership and its trailblazing certification achievements set a benchmark in the hospitality industry. It signals a shift towards more responsible and regenerative business models that go beyond traditional corporate social responsibility.

The company’s efforts contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13). This alignment positions Barceló Hotel Group as a leading advocate for sustainable tourism, encouraging peers and partners to follow suit.

Barceló Hotel Group’s integration into the Global Sustainable Tourism Council marks a pivotal advancement in its sustainability journey and the broader hospitality sector’s transformation. Through the implementation of its Barceló ReGen standards, ongoing employee training, and a commitment to certifying all properties under GSTC guidelines, Barceló demonstrates leadership in fostering regenerative tourism practices that benefit destinations worldwide.

This strategic alignment not only enhances Barceló’s operational excellence but also reinforces its contribution to sustainable development, social equity, and environmental preservation—goals echoed by governments and tourism bodies globally.

By joining GSTC, Barceló Hotel Group joins a community of like-minded organizations dedicated to shaping a sustainable future for tourism, ensuring that travel continues to be a force for good in the 21st century.