PSC LIVE: Sustainability – MCI Sustainability in Hospitality
Quentin Remy, Head of Global Procurement & Strategic Sourcing at MCI, took to the stage at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: Sustainability to share how the company is leveraging its vast global hotel network to drive sustainability in the events sector.
With clients in 60 countries and a hospitality supply chain worth over £200m, MCI is using its influence to reshape how hotels are assessed and selected for events, by embedding sustainability at the point of booking.
Why sustainability still doesn’t drive hotel bookings
Quentin began by addressing a disconnect in the market – while 73% of travellers say they prefer hotels with sustainable practices, only 4% actually consider sustainability when booking.
“It’s not because people don’t care,” he said. “It’s because the process is too fragmented and confusing.”
To illustrate the challenge, Quentin asked the audience if they had ever used Booking.com’s sustainability filter or considered sustainability when booking for the event.
While many knew of the feature, fewer had factored it into their decision-making, highlighting that good intentions aren’t yet translating into real change.
Over 200 different certifications currently exist in the hospitality industry, making it hard for companies and individuals to navigate what’s genuine, what’s greenwashing and what actually matters.
“It feels like a jungle,” he said. “Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to get lost.”
From over-tourism to smart supply chain action
MCI’s ESG journey started in earnest at COP26, where the company served as the accommodation agency. Faced with managing rooms for 40,000 attendees across 180 hotels, they needed a better way to measure and communicate sustainability performance.
So, they built their own tool – a unified ESG assessment based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, tailored to the hotel industry.
“We didn’t want another label,” Quentin explained. “We wanted one rating system – simple, scalable and comparable.”
Hotels receive a sustainability rating out of five, with assessments focusing on practical metrics and environmental practices. Unlike traditional certifications, MCI’s system lets organisers and bookers compare ‘apples to apples’ across different markets, chains and regions.
From 2021 to 2023, MCI expanded the tool across its Swiss institutional clients and applied it to 40 congresses and 75,000 participant bookings. The third phase, launched recently, scales this approach globally.
“We’re shifting from reactive to proactive,” said Quentin. “Hotels are now rated before contracting, not after.”
Embedding sustainability into hotel selection
With 14 global hotel partners and 43,000 properties in its network, MCI is using its leverage to shape behaviour.
“We’re focusing on mature, high-impact partners first,” said Quentin, referencing a Pareto-style approach.
As of now, over 3,200 hotels across 50 countries have completed the ESG assessment, with a target of 10,000 by year-end and 20,000 by 2026. These results are integrated directly into MCI’s internal booking tools, sitting alongside price, location and availability.
“Suddenly, sustainability becomes part of the decision-making process – not an afterthought.”
Quentin showed the interface that planners use – a streamlined comparison where clients can see cost and location next to an intuitive green leaf rating.
“It’s just as simple as seeing if a hotel has breakfast included,” he said. “Only this time, the extra perk is for the planet.”
He also addressed audience questions about the 200+ certifications.
“We don’t claim ours is better,” he said, “but we believe our approach – one universal rating, built with the UN – is more practical for our clients.”
Driving industry change, one booking at a time
Quentin acknowledged that tools alone won’t fix everything.
He said: “This doesn’t mean all clients suddenly prioritise sustainability. But it shifts the conversation.
“It’s now part of the procurement language.”
By embedding ESG performance directly into the booking workflow, MCI is helping event organisers move from intention to action.
“Sustainable events are better events,” he stated. “But we need to give people the tools to act.”
The strategy also supports hotel partners. Brands like IHG, Wyndham and Melia are already participating.
“Many are eager to improve – they just need the incentive,” Quentin added.
In closing, Quentin invited feedback from peers in other industries and encouraged collaboration.
“We’re not claiming to have all the answers,” he said, “but we want to be in the driver’s seat – and help clients build a better tomorrow.”
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