Shaping the future of certifications in hospitality

Panel discussion from ITB 2025

See upcoming webinars
Summary of the panel discussion:

The panel discussion explored the main barriers to sustainability certification in hospitality, including limited resources, data management challenges, and uncertainty about which certification to choose.

Panelists agreed that certifications are more than marketing—they provide credibility and a framework for ongoing improvement. They discussed how evolving legislation is prompting hotels to adapt, despite creating some temporary uncertainty. Collaboration among hotels, certifiers, and platforms was highlighted as key to overcoming obstacles, with solutions like digital tools, educational support, and sharing best practices.

In the Q&A, the panel addressed practical steps for hotels, the importance of data standardization, and how certifications can deliver commercial value, emphasizing that sustainability is a continuous, collaborative journey.

Watch the panel discussion below:

Speakers

Experts on the panel included:

Isabel Lissner
Sustainability and Product Lead

BeCause

Armand Odekerken 

Senior Lecturer - Researcher
Research Centre Future Proof Financials 
School Maastricht

Armand Odekerken is a senior lecturer and researcher at the Hotel Management School Maastricht, specializing in sustainable business strategies and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). As a Professional Doctorate Candidate at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, he collaborates with hotel organizations to apply double materiality analyses, integrating both strategic and operational perspectives. His expertise in management accounting, multiple value creation, and analytical methods enable him to guide hotels in developing effective, CSRD-compliant sustainability strategies.
Julian Reingraber
Strategic Development Manager

Green Sign

Lucas van Krugten 

Quality & Safety Manager
Postillion Hotels

Lucas van Krugten, 38 years old, has been working in the hospitality industry since I was 14 years old. Starting in 2025 I’ve had several roles within Postillion Hotels from F&B-Supervisor, Operational Manager, General Manager to my current role as Quality & Safety Manager. In this role, I support the board, as well as the General Managers within our company. In addition to this, I’m responsible for the CSRD implementation on which we will start reporting as from January 2026.
Thomas Loughlin
Sustainability Manager

Booking.com

Jahanzeeb Ahmed
Chief Commercial Officer

BeCause

Alina Arnelle

Chief Sustainability Officer
BeCause

Alina Arnelle is the Chief Sustainability Officer at BeCause, where she leads the integration of cutting-edge sustainability practices across the travel and tourism industry on the BeCause platform. With a strong focus on data-driven strategies and industry collaboration, she plays a key role in shaping how hotels and tourism stakeholders navigate the complexities of ESG reporting and regulatory compliance. Recognized as one of The Global 50 Women in Sustainability Awards 2024 by The Sustainability X Magazine and featured with an article in The Hotel Yearbook 2025, Alina is a frequent contributor and thought leader in sustainability for tourism and hospitality. Her insights have been featured in PhocusWire, Hotel Management Network, Green Lodging News, HospitalityNet, and more.

Want to obtain a sustainable certification for your hotel, but you need assistance with the application process?

Sign up to hear about our new feature "Certification Co-pilot."

Your details