Inside Audubon International’s Hospitality Certification | Gregoire Poirier

In this episode of The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast, host Kathy Sue McGuire speaks with Greg Poirier, Global Director of Hospitality Certification at Audubon International. Greg shares how the organization evolved from wildlife protection into one of the most influential sustainability certification bodies in hospitality—now active in 37 countries.

They explore why third-party verification is becoming essential for hotels, why waste remains the industry's weakest performance area, and how staff culture, guest expectations, and AI-driven tools are reshaping the future of sustainable operations. Greg also breaks down the business case: where real ROI comes from, how to measure it, and why insurance volatility may soon push sustainability forward faster than anything else.

⸻

🎧 CHAPTER BREAKDOWN

00:00 — Why Guests Expect Sustainability

01:00 — What Audubon International Actually Does

03:00 — How Hotel Certifications Work

05:30 — The Scientific Pillars of Sustainability

09:50 — Waste: Hospitality's Biggest Weakness

12:00 — Culture & Staff Engagement

14:15 — The Guest Experience Myth

17:00 — The Business Case: Hard + Soft ROI

23:00 — Quantifying Revenue Impact

26:00 — Reducing Turnover Through Sustainability Programs

29:00 — Big Brands, ESG & Ownership Challenges

31:00 — Insurance Volatility as a New Driver

36:00 — AI, OTAs & the Future of Hotel Bookings

44:00 — Personal Sustainability & Behavior Change

48:00 — The Future of Audubon International

⸻

🔗 Resources & Links

• Audubon International – https://auduboninternational.org

• Learn more about Greg Poirier – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoirepoirier/

• Sustainable Hospitality Solutions – www.sustainablehospitalitysolutions.com

⸻

👤 About the Guest Greg Poirier is the Global Director of Hospitality Certification for Audubon International, overseeing sustainability programs for hotels, resorts, and built environments. His work focuses on measurable impact, operational improvement, and helping properties achieve credible third-party verification across 37 countries.

______

🎧 Subscribe & Follow Don't miss future episodes of The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast—where we explore real-world strategies for creating regenerative impact in travel and tourism.

→ Listen and subscribe: www.linktr.ee/sustainablehospitalitypodcast