W Sydney becomes first in portfolio to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification
W Sydney Awarded Sustainable Tourism Certification
W Sydney has been awarded Sustainable Tourism Certification by Ecotourism Australia, marking a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing commitment to a new generation of responsible luxury. The certification recognises a whole-of-hotel approach to sustainability embedded across energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction and community impact, reflecting initiatives that have been in place since the hotel’s opening and the growing expectation from today’s travellers for brands that operate responsibly within their communities.
From infrastructure through to the guest experience, sustainability at W Sydney is embedded across every layer of the hotel’s operations. The hotel features a 100,000-litre rainwater harvesting system supporting cooling and air-conditioning, complimentary electric vehicle charging stations, and in-room amenities from B-Corp certified partners. Across its culinary venues, menus champions seasonal NSW produce, Good Fish-certified seafood and ingredients sourced from regenerative farms and regional producers, while partnerships such as Veolia’s food-to-biofuel program help convert kitchen waste into renewable energy and support a circular approach to hospitality.
Community engagement is central to the hotel’s sustainability strategy. W Sydney partners with Foodbank NSW & ACT to redistribute surplus food and supports local environmental initiatives, including the Glebe Bay oyster shell recycling and restoration program. Guided by Marriott International’s Serve 360 platform and W Hotels STANCE passion point – which champions progress through community, culture and conscious impact – the team continues to reduce single-use plastics, strengthen local procurement and enhance transparency around sustainability performance.
“At W Sydney, sustainability isn’t a standalone initiative; it’s part of how modern luxury should operate,” said Titus Rosier, General Manager of W Sydney.
“Today’s traveller expects more from the brands they engage with. They want experiences that are not only design-led and culturally connected, but also responsible. Achieving Sustainable Tourism Certification reflects the work our team has done from day one to embed conscious practices across everything we do; from infrastructure and operations through to the partners we collaborate with and the communities we support.”
Elissa Keenan, CEO of Ecotourism Australia, commended the hotel for their innovative approach to sustainability.
“Congratulations to the team at W Sydney for taking this important step on their sustainability journey. By embracing globally recognised sustainable tourism standards, the hotel demonstrates how the hospitality sector can actively support both the environment and the communities it serves. We are particularly proud to recognise W Sydney as the first W Hotels property in Australia to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification.”
Sustainable Tourism Certification is awarded against more than 200 criteria spanning environmental stewardship, socio-economic impact, cultural responsibility and sustainable management practices, reinforcing W Sydney’s commitment to responsible luxury in the heart of Darling Harbour. As the hotel continues to evolve, sustainability remains central to its vision, shaping how it operates, collaborates with its community and defines the future of luxury hospitality in Australia.
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Media contacts:
Ecotourism Australia – Myv Costelloe, Stakeholder Engagement Manager
e: myv@ecotourism.org.au
ph: (07) 3256 6777
W Sydney – Olivia Hargreaves (BLACK Communications)
e: olivia.hargreaves@blackcommunications.com.au
ph: +61 414 226 413
About Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports Australia’s visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. Our legacy program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are some 2500 accommodation, tours and attractions certified by Ecotourism Australia. Ecotourism Australia is also a founding member of the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA), a global association for sustainable tourism established in January 2025. TSCA members are responsible for certifying more than 19,000 travel and tourism enterprises, organisations, and destinations across the globe – representing the largest cohort of certified operators worldwide.
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About W Hotels
Born from the social electricity of New York City, W Hotels has been at the forefront of lifestyle hospitality for over two decades. With over 70 destinations around the world, the detail-driven design, signature Whatever/Whenever service, and buzzing Living Rooms cultivate experiences of social connectivity. Each location brings together the magnetic energy of W Hotels and the essence of local culture, creating spaces for new perspectives and a freedom of self-expression. W Hotels is currently undergoing a multi-year brand evolution, to meet the needs of today’s guest and deliver a new generation of luxury lifestyle experiences. For more information on W Hotels, visit w-hotels.com and stay connected on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and YouTube. W Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
