Hotel Emporium CEO excels at inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards

Andy de Silva receives prestigious World’s Leading Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow 2024 award 

Hotel Emporium, the leading direct manufacturer of premium hotel amenities recently announced that its Co-Founder and CEO Andy de Silva has been honoured with the prestigious ‘World’s Leading Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow 2024’ award at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. 

This marks the first time a Sri Lankan has received such recognition in sustainable travel, highlighting Andy’s commitment to environmental stewardship in the global hospitality industry.

Launched at COP28, the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards celebrates organisations prioritising sustainability and environmental stewardship beyond traditional tourism services. The victory recognises the company’s role in accelerating change and impact in sustainable travel and tourism, including its pioneering efforts to implement eco-friendly practices, promote cultural preservation and foster responsible travel experiences. 

Under Andy de Silva’s leadership, Hotel Emporium has grown from humble beginnings to a global industry leader. Founded in 2003, the company now services over 20,000 hotels worldwide and operates in over 40 countries. The company’s eco-friendly amenities collections, which emphasise sustainability without compromising on luxury or quality, are a testament to Andy’s forward-thinking vision for the hospitality industry.

Hotel Emporium CEO and Co-founder Andy de Silva said: “It is truly an honour to be recognised for our sustainable efforts. Hotel Emporium began in my garage with my uncle Lalith James in 1999 and was incorporated in 2003. Over two decades later, we have grown into a leader in premium hotel amenities, thanks to the trust and support of our clients and partners worldwide. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to protect our planet while offering unique and responsible travel experiences.” 

Hotel Emporium’s commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in its family-owned values. The company’s dedication to protecting the planet for future generations has driven its development of innovative, eco-friendly products, including the LiquiFill system and ECO POD. LiquiFill, an advanced machine designed to refill bath liquid dispensers efficiently, drastically reduces plastic waste while lowering labour costs. ECO POD, an industry pioneer, combats single-use plastic pollution and contamination issues, offering a compostable, zero-plastic, easy-to-use alternative.

This year’s WSTHA program featured 21 categories developed with input from the esteemed WSTHA Advisory Board of academic and industry leaders to reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships. All entries were assessed by Sustainable Business students from Nova Business School, with the shortlist of nominees approved by the WSTHA Advisory Board before opening to a public vote.  Industry professionals, the media, and the general public were eligible to vote during the seven-week window. The recipient with the most votes is declared the winner of their respective category. 

As the hospitality industry faces mounting pressure to adopt eco-friendly, innovative needs, this recognition underscores Hotel Emporium’s contributions to the fight against pollution and unsustainable practices.