Meliá Koh Samui in Thailand and Meliá Ho Tram in Vietnam have made significant progress in reducing food waste with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The new food management system from Lumitics ensures the resorts are minimizing leftovers without compromising the high level of gastronomy for which the Spanish hotel group is known.
With the help of sensors and software, the culinary team has been able to track all food waste generated by their F&B operations. Based on that data, adjustments were made, resulting in a 40% decrease in leftovers. The team is now monitoring its buffet and making further adjustments according to the data.
Other Meliá hotels and resorts in the region are adopting a circular food economy to keep food waste to a minimum. As of early 2024, Meliá Chiang Mai had returned more than 3,000kg of food for compost and fertilizer to the sustainable farm that supplies its produce. This recycling initiative has been ongoing since the hotel launched its 360° system in 2022.
Properties such as Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc and INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras are also using food waste to produce fertilizer.