London, August, 27, 2025 – a&o Hotels, one of Europe’s largest privately owned budget chains, has released its third Sustainability Report, providing insights into the company’s ESG strategy. Since measurements began in 2015, a&o has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 75%, now averaging around 3.65 kilograms per overnight stay.
Speaking on the release of the 2024 sustainability report, Arben Maliqi, ESG Director at a&o, commented: “Our focus is on direct, verifiable emission reductions within our own operations and value chain. This means measurable actions: optimising energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy adoption, reducing waste, and working with suppliers to achieve measurable emissions reductions – rather than external offset-based solutions.”
a&o Key Achievements 2024:
- Electricity: 98% of demand powered by renewable energy
- Photovoltaics: 12 properties produce ~500 MWh per year
- Local partners: In Venice, Florence and Budapest, 90% of food is sourced locally
- Waste reduction: Single-use breakfast packaging phased out across all locations
- Food monitoring: Introduction of FoodNotify for real-time tracking of orders, inventory, and food waste
93% of a&o properties are conversions of existing buildings for environmental efficiency.
Of the 43 current properties operated by a&o in 30 cities across ten European countries, 40 are converted buildings – including former offices, factories, administrative spaces and more. a&o continues to invest in energy-efficient renovations, aiming for at least energy efficiency class C for every building. In 2024, nine sustainability audits were carried out across a&o properties. a&o Edinburgh City achieved a 90% conformity rate, becoming the second property to reach this milestone after a&o Venezia Mestre. Speaking on the findings, Maliqi said: “Together, we can shape a more sustainable and equitable future for the travel and hospitality industry.”
Social Responsibility: Education, Culture, Community
Alongside environmental initiatives, a&o maintains a strong commitment to social engagement:
- Education & wellbeing: a&o Academy staff training; Nilo employee mental health platform
- Donations: 2,000+ free overnight stays donated annually to charities and cultural initiatives; sponsorship of local athletes and sports clubs
- Art & culture: art&o has collaborated with 350+ artists at a&o Kunsthalle Leipzig since 2018
- Education projects:
o a&o Insektenhostel in Frankfurt (with City of Frankfurt and Fresenius University)
o Partnership with SOS-Kinderdorf Berlin on creative/nature wish-tree campaign
o Expansion of SDG learning displays across all hostels
‘Travel Should Be Accessible to Everyone’
a&o Founder and CEO Oliver Winter, who founded the company 25 years ago, reinforced the importance of keeping travel accessible: “When I look back on the journey we began in 2000, I remember a simple but strong conviction: travel should be accessible to everyone – it broadens horizons, strengthens tolerance and inspires new ideas and projects.”
About a&o Hostels
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o currently operates 42 hostels with around 30,000 beds in 28 cities across 11 European countries. A further two properties are set to open in the near future. The a&o guest mix is diverse, welcoming backpackers, solo travellers, families, school groups, and associations. The number of business travellers and senior guests is also increasing. In 2024, a&o achieved a record company performance, surpassing the record set in the previous year. Demonstrating strong year-on- year-growth, a&o recorded 6.2 million overnight stays (2023: 6.1 million), 2.8 million guests (2023: 2.7 million), and £192.7 million in revenue (2023: £179.9 million). As part of its commitment to a robust sustainability strategy, a&o aims to reduce CO₂e emissions per overnight stay.
For more information, visit www.aohostels.com or find an overview of all a&o locations at www.aohostels.com/en/all-locations.