Kunming, China – On June 7, 2023, Spring City Golf and Lake Resort received its accredited certification, being certified as a Sustainable Hotel according to the GSTC Criteria by Bureau Veritas, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. It is the first resort in Yunnan to gain the certification as a Sustainable Hotel.
The ceremony at Spring City was attended by representatives from Kunming Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the Yangzonghai Management Committee, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Bureau Veritas and Keppel Singapore.
At the ceremony, Mr. Mervin Ho, General Manager of Spring City Golf and Lake Resort, said « The certification of Spring City Golf and Lake Resort as a sustainable hotel by Bureau Veritas, a GSTC-Accredited Certification, not only signifies Spring City’s success as the first resort in Yunnan to meet the strict audit standards of the GSTC but also affirms our efforts in environmental improvement programs, such as conserving cultural and natural heritage sites and reducing carbon footprint. In addition to its dedication to environmental sustainability, the resort is a significant contributor to the continuous economic and human capital development of the impoverished districts in Kunming City that surround the resort.”
Ms. Koko Tang, Board Member of GSTC, said « The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is responsible for developing and managing the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainable tourism. We provide accreditation of certification bodies based on GSTC’s Accreditation Manual that largely draws from relevant ISO standards related to the certification process. The Accredited Certification bodies can then certify accommodations and tour operators as sustainable. Today, on behalf of GSTC, I would like to extend our sincere congratulations to Spring City Golf and Lake Resort becoming a GSTC-certified* sustainable hotel! »
Ms. Zou Fengxian, Vice President of Bureau Veritas and General Manager of Bureau Veritas System Certification Business Division, said: « Sustainable development and sustainable tourism are unquestionably a common trend in global development that actively responds to the Chinese government’s important dedication to maintaining ecological and economic development. It is the concrete application of ‘clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver.’ Being certified by a credible and accredited institution signifies that your tourism products or services have already met the most stringent social and environmental standards in the market. With increasing public concern about the potential positive and negative impacts of tourism, the certification will also provide you with a reliable solution for addressing complex environmental and social challenges. Today, on behalf of Bureau Veritas, I would like to proudly recognize Spring City’s sustainability achievements and welcome more hotels and tour operators to follow the GSTC Criteria, fulfilling their commitments to ESG sustainable development! »
Keppel, Spring City Golf and Lake Resort’s parent company, is a Singapore-based global asset management and operator with strong sustainable solutions in the infrastructure, real estate, and interconnection sectors. William Tan, Head of Wellness and Tourism of Keppel Land China, stated « Spring City being certified by GSTC-Accredited Certification Body Bureau Veritas is a pioneering action in the Chinese resort industry regarding sustainable development, reflecting Keppel’s ongoing sustainability philosophy of empowering fulfilling and beautiful lives for the communities where it operates. »
Spring City plans to effectively achieve the development of renewable energy by 2025 by converting waste to energy and reducing the use of water and fossil energy. Through a number of measures such as replacing fuel-powered vehicles with electric vehicles, implementing scientific control over lawn growth in summer, adjusting high water-consuming and deciduous tree species, and implementing solar retrofitting of traditional equipment such as lighting and landscaping, 70,000 kWh of electricity will be saved annually, and all transportation will be electrified by 2025.
(Note* GSTC-certified is a shortened version of certified to the GSTC Criteria by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body, which can also be referred to as accredited certification.)
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a globally renowned institution providing testing, inspection, certification, and technical consulting services. It was founded in 1828 with headquarters in Paris, France. Moreover, it has currently established 1,600 offices and labs globally in 140 countries with approximately 80,000 employees. Furthermore, it has obtained over 3,500 professional qualifications and recognitions at the national level. Bureau Veritas has offered professional services and innovative solutions for more than 40,000 clients to ensure their compliance with quality, health, safety, the environment, and social responsibility regarding their products, facilities, and production processes, thus helping clients boost their business performance. As a trustworthy business partner for its clients, the innovative solutions created by Bureau Veritas not only help clients comply with regulatory and standard requirements but also help them reduce risks, improve business performance, and promote sustainable development.
About Spring City Golf and Lake Resort
Spring City Golf and Lake Resort was founded in 1998. It is a joint venture between Keppel, Singapore’s flagship multinational company, and the Yiliang County Government of Kunming City in the field of real estate. It is located on the southeast shore of Lake Yangzonghai in Kunming and is picturesquely surrounded by green mountains and crystal-clear lake water.
Spring City Golf & Lake Resort covers a vast expanse of land totaling 5.04 km2, which features two 18-hole championship golf courses, a five-star clubhouse, villas, luxury rooms, and suites, as well as conference and leisure facilities. The poetic ecology of the mountains and the lake, exciting activities, and thoughtful and warm services make it an ideal choice for leisure vacations, family outings, and high-end business conferences.
About GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organisation that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
About Keppel’s Sustainability Philosophy
As a global leader in asset management and operations, Keppel has strong capabilities in sustainable solutions in the areas of infrastructure, real estate, and connectivity, contributing to a sustainable future. Keppel has integrated sustainability principles into its business strategies and daily operations, viewing sustainability as both a source of corporate responsibility and a business opportunity. In addition, Keppel identifies « sustainable growth, » « talent enhancement, » and « community care » as its three major guidelines for sustainable development. In accordance with Keppel’s Vision 2030, the group is firmly devoted to a sustainable development strategy that is implemented synchronously in a two-pronged approach, i.e., conducting business in a sustainable manner and making sustainability an integral part of Keppel’s business. Combining the proven experience of Singapore’s « Garden City » and « Smart Nation » with China’s excellent hardware and software base and its competent local team, it will continue to contribute to China’s new urbanization process. In addition, all of Keppel Land’s BCA Green Mark projects are expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 115,000 tons per year once they are put into operation.
