Presented by leading regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2024 serves as a badge of excellence to spur further innovation and best-practice sharing for responsible organizations and the world at large. FDC International Hotels Corporation (FDC International) has emerged as a leader in sustainable tourism and corporate responsibility, integrating environmental and social sustainability into its core operations.
The company’s initiatives span several strategic areas, including the “Vakangan Hot Spring Park – Building a Sustainable Travel Experience in Beautiful Indigenous Taiwan” project, the “Go Green” initiative, and its “FDC International Hotels Corporation 2022 Sustainability Report – Building Sustainability & Heritage in Tourism” initiative which were recognized under the Social Empowerment, Green Leadership, and Corporate Social Responsibility categories respectively.
The Vakangan Hot Spring Park in Taitung, Taiwan, launched in September 2020, exemplifies FDC International’s commitment to sustainable tourism. In partnership with TCC Green Energy, the park integrates geothermal energy with leisure services to foster local development and promote the Bunun indigenous culture. The park features hot spring facilities, local food and beverage services, and cultural events while emphasizing low-impact development and community support. It has successfully attracted over 35,000 visitors, created numerous job opportunities for the local Bunun community, and featured 30 local brands in its gift shop. The park also engages in educational initiatives and plans to expand its cultural and sustainability efforts in the future.
Parallel to the park’s success, FDC International’s “Go Green” initiative, launched in 2019, focuses on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability across its operations. The initiative encompasses waste management, green products and services, energy optimization, and building a sustainable supply chain. Key measures include replacing plastic bottles with sparkling water dispensers, reducing single-use amenities, and introducing a carbon-negative guestroom program. The initiative has significantly reduced plastic waste, saved energy, and offset nearly 943,000 kg of CO2 equivalent. It also fosters community engagement through partnerships with local vendors and sustainability awareness campaigns.
Internally, FDC International integrates sustainability principles into its corporate culture by encouraging employees to participate in environmental stewardship activities and adopting practices that enhance operational efficiency. Externally, the company involves guests in environmental initiatives, such as lake clean-ups and the use of eco-friendly materials, while promoting indigenous cultures and active impact tourism. This approach aims to harmonize travel with sustainability, enhancing both guest experiences and environmental responsibility.
Transparency and accountability are central to FDC International’s sustainability efforts. Since 2016, the company has published annual sustainability reports, following standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). These reports detail the company’s achievements and challenges in sustainability, with independent verification providing additional credibility. This commitment to clear and reliable reporting underscores FDC International’s dedication to sustainable development and corporate responsibility.
Overall, FDC International’s comprehensive approach to sustainability—through innovative projects like Vakangan Hot Spring Park, the “Go Green” initiative, and robust stakeholder engagement—demonstrates its leadership in integrating environmental and social values into its business model. The company’s efforts highlight a commitment to creating positive impacts in the tourism industry and beyond, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices and corporate responsibility.
About Enterprise Asia
Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine toward sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplifting the economic status of people across Asia and ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit https://www.enterpriseasia.org/ for more information.
About Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA)
The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards program recognizes and honors Asian businesses for championing sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship in the categories of Green Leadership, Investment in People, Health Promotion, Social Empowerment, Corporate Governance, Circular Economy Leadership, Corporate Sustainability Reporting, and Responsible Business Leadership. For more information, visit https://enterpriseasia.org/area/.
