The Gaia Hotel Bandung has announced a significant step in its development with the receipt of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, positioning the property as the first independent hotel in Indonesia to meet the council’s internationally recognised sustainability standards. The certification marks a public acknowledgement of practices that have shaped the hotel since its opening and signals a growing expectation for accountability in the hospitality sector.
This cannot come at a more befitting time when sustainability has shifted from an optional commitment to an operational necessity. Travellers, regulators, and industry partners are increasingly scrutinising how hotels manage resources, engage with communities, and minimise environmental impact. By pursuing GSTC certification through TÜV Rheinland, The Gaia Hotel Bandung obtained independent accreditation of its long-term approach.
GSTC certification evaluates properties across four pillars, such as sustainability management, benefits to local communities, cultural heritage protection, and environmental conservation. For The Gaia Hotel Bandung, these criteria reflect existing practices embedded in daily operations. The hotel’s design prioritises open-air spaces, full-height windows, and private balconies in every room to maximise natural light and airflow, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning. Operational changes have followed a similar logic. Single-use plastic water bottles were eliminated in favour of reusable glass bottles, a move that reduces an estimated 240,000 plastic bottles annually.
Food waste management has also become a focus area. The hotel processes approximately 240 kilograms of organic waste each day, converting it into eco-enzymes and compost to support an on-site organic garden that supplies its restaurants. These measures respond to one of the hospitality industry’s persistent challenges while aligning consumption with local production. Staff engagement plays a role as well. To mark its third anniversary, the team collectively completed 11 million walking steps, an initiative that resulted in the planting of 333 trees as part of the hotel’s environmental efforts.
The Gaia Hotel Bandung is led by General Manager Novi Samodro, who describes the certification process as both a point of pride and a learning experience. She notes that the GSTC framework has provided direction for future improvements and reinforced the hotel’s founding philosophy. Named after the Greek personification of Mother Nature, the brand has framed sustainability as a responsibility rather than a marketing position, shaping decisions from architectural planning to waste management.
For the brand, the certification establishes a benchmark that extends beyond recognition. It formalises The Gaia Hotel Bandung’s position within a global network of responsible tourism operators and sets expectations for continued progress. As sustainability standards become increasingly central to hospitality, the hotel’s next chapter will be measured by how it builds on this foundation and influences broader practices within the industry.
The Gaia Hotel Bandung
Jalan Setiabudi No. 430
Bandung, West Java 40143
T: +62 811 2002 2914
thegaiabandung.com
