InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's leading luxury hotel, embarks on an inspiring 10-year action plan called "Journey to Tomorrow", reaffirming its unwavering dedication to sustainability, inclusivity, and ecological responsibility within the hospitality industry.

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has spearheaded its sustainability initiatives with a comprehensive approach to sustainable practices in an era where environmental consciousness is crucial. These initiatives cover various aspects of its operations, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, community engagement, and more.

Our People - Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur's commitment to nurturing diversity and equity is evident in its dedication to creating a workplace where every team member is not only included but encouraged to express their viewpoints and experience a deep sense of belonging. 

Emphasising the importance of diversity in leadership and talent, the hotel introduces the "RISE" program, a clear reflection of its commitment to achieving gender balance in the workplace, while the “Room to Grow” culture encourages individual growth and career progression. 

With this initiative, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur is empowered by its diverse team of individuals from varying backgrounds. 

From left to right: Jerry, Norliyana, Clement, Ren Son, Law Son, Mohammad Tarmizi, pictured with InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s General Manager, Mr. Matthew Everson

Inclusivity is woven into the fabric of the IHG brand, promising ‘Room to Belong’ for all team members. The hotel’s diverse workforce includes several differently-abled individuals in the housekeeping, stewarding, and culinary departments. 

On 3 December 2023, the hotel management observed International Persons with Disabilities Day with a special luncheon for the team members at Serena Brasserie and invited them to lay their handprints on the hotel’s “Inclusion Wall”, dedicated to celebrating the diverse team of colleagues at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur.

Our Communities

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur's engagement extends beyond its walls through collaborations like the one with Suri Inspirasi, a social enterprise committed to uplifting single mothers. With InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s bed linen, they upcycle and skillfully handcraft the hotel’s donated materials into brightly coloured practical masterpieces, from passport holders, pouches, card holders, laptop cases, tote bags, beach bags to the classic ‘Batu Seremban’ game pouches and patchwork aprons. To date, the hotel has already impacted 1,589 lives across Malaysia and partook in 3,235 volunteering hours across the country. 

What sets this collaboration apart is its commitment to erasing the mindset of charity, focusing instead on establishing an income-based employment support program for all participating mothers. This transformative approach aims to enhance social well-being by fostering sustainable economic independence.

During Christmas 2023, the hotel transformed into a holiday wonderland for 35 kids from the Hiichiikok Foundation. Hotel guests and colleagues were invited to be Santa in granting these children's heartfelt Christmas wishes, which were hung as ornaments on the lobby Christmas tree. 

A gift-giving ceremony was also held in the hotel lobby, where each child had their dream come true, which was then followed by a festive feast at Serena Brasserie.

Carbon & Energy - EV Chargers and Solar Panels

Over the years, Malaysia has witnessed a quick transition to electric vehicles, and shortly, the need for this green sustainable alternative will only increase. Foreseeing this evolving need, the hotel aims to prioritise guest experience and satisfaction by providing ease and modern convenience for guests by installing  EV chargers. This will allow guests to enjoy unparalleled hospitality without range anxiety, while promoting awareness of the importance of clean energy.

The installation of state-of-the-art solar panels atop the lobby port cochere in November 2023 also marks a groundbreaking step for the hotel towards harnessing solar energy for a greener future. The hotel’s Chief Engineer, Mr Najibul Hilmi, also a Certified Energy Manager and Registered Electrical Energy Manager, who proudly heads this initiative by overseeing the installation of the 90 panels spanning 431 sq meters of area space. 

These panels generate an estimated 31,470 kWh, enough to power up 6 houses, in a year. Five months after their installation, the hotel successfully reduced 6.33 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 162 trees*. *as of April 2024.

Waste Reduction

As the global water demand frequently outpaces its supply, our dedication to responsible water management has never been more critical. The hotel has taken extensive measures to conserve water within the hotel. All hotel room shower heads and faucets are equipped with water-saving technologies to reduce water consumption without compromising the quality of our guests' experiences. This demonstrates our commitment to sustainable practices that positively impact water conservation.

Mr Matthew Everson, General Manager of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, stated, "Our 'Journey to Tomorrow' initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to ESG sustainability. By fostering inclusivity, supporting communities, reducing our environmental impact, minimising waste, and preserving water resources, we strive to shape a brighter future for all. We are committed to putting these actions into our day-to-day operations, ensuring continuous sustainability, and guaranteeing that they will continue to make a positive impact even with changes in leadership in the future". 

Giving For Good Month 

Dubbed “Giving for Good Month”, September is a dedicated month for IHG colleagues to give back to communities and causes as part of the brand purpose of True Hospitality for Good. 

Last year, the hotel conducted a blood donation drive, contributing to the critical need for life-saving blood supplies and exemplifying our commitment to community welfare. 

Subsequently, they also organised a volunteering session at PAWS, where participants enthusiastically cleaned, fed, and cared for abandoned pets, as well as a collective beach clean-up in collaboration with a sister hotel, Holiday Inn Sepang-Airport.

In addition to this, the hotel also participated in a "Feed The Need" initiative, which witnessed team members from various organisational levels coming together to distribute sustenance and basic essential items to the homeless along the bustling streets of Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. These endeavours have yielded an array of valuable benefits, including the strengthening of community bonds and the cultivation of compassion among all involved. 

Now more than ever, it is important to emphasize how consumers can travel better – with green credentials, reducing our carbon footprint and caring for the community. Journey to Tomorrow is InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to doing what is right, not just what’s needed, to make a positive difference for its people, communities and planet over the next decade. 

By working collaboratively to find new sustainable solutions, being ambassadors for its culture, sharing ideas and supporting its local communities, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur continues to deliver on its promise to True Hospitality for Good beyond its doors, working together to care for local people and communities, while preserving the planet.