U Luang Prabang earns first Green Globe certification

U Luang Prabang in Luang Prabang, Laos, has earned its first Green Globe certification, becoming the first hotel in the town and the second in the country to do so. The milestone highlights the boutique property's focus on plastic reduction, local sourcing and staff development as it works to protect a UNESCO World Heritage destination.

Why it matters: - U Luang Prabang’s certification gives a small hotel a measurable sustainability credential in a UNESCO World Heritage town. - The recognition highlights how boutique properties can reduce environmental impact while supporting local culture and jobs. - The hotel is the first in Luang Prabang and the second in Laos, after sister property Eastin Vientiane, to earn Green Globe certification.

What happened: - U Luang Prabang officially achieved its first Green Globe certification on November 4, 2026. - The hotel has 40 rooms and suites in the center of Luang Prabang, Laos. - Green Globe certification recognizes the property’s sustainability practices across hotel operations. - General Manager Guillermo Bastarrica said the certification process broadened the team’s understanding of sustainability and validated practices the hotel had already put in place.

The details: - U Luang Prabang says sustainability was part of the hotel’s vision before opening, not a program added later. - The property aims to protect the environment while preserving local traditions in the UNESCO World Heritage town. - The hotel focuses on resource management, waste reduction and thoughtful sourcing. - The property supports the local community by celebrating Lao traditions, working with local artisans and suppliers, and creating opportunities that extend beyond the hotel. - The hotel’s sustainability strategy centers on a zero-plastic policy, local procurement and local talent development. - U Luang Prabang eliminated single-use plastic amenities and packaging wherever operationally possible from opening day. - The hotel prioritizes suppliers within walking distance when possible to reduce transportation emissions and packaging. - Coffee comes from Saffron Coffee, a social enterprise in Northern Laos, and is delivered from a roastery next door. - Local breads and pastries are baked just metres away. - The hotel recruits both experienced hospitality professionals and younger local workers. - U Luang Prabang offers on-the-job training and long-term professional development. - The property directs readers to its Sustainability page for more information about its green practices.

Between the lines: - The certification signals that sustainability can be built into a hotel’s core operating model rather than treated as a marketing add-on. - The local sourcing approach also ties environmental goals to economic support for nearby businesses and producers. - The staff-development strategy suggests the hotel views sustainability as a people issue as well as an environmental one.

What's next: - U Luang Prabang is expected to continue improving operations across the business after the certification review. - The hotel’s next challenge is maintaining its standards as it scales routine operations and guest demand. - More information is available on the hotel’s Sustainability page: Sustainability page.

The bottom line: - U Luang Prabang is using Green Globe certification to formalize a sustainability model built around lower waste, local ties and preservation of place.