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Career Compass: Mapping Educational Routes to Sustainable Hospitality

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18 Jun 2025

8 Min Read

Taylor's Team (Editor)
IN THIS ARTICLE

Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the Sustainable Hospitality industry to map your educational path.

The sustainable hospitality industry is changing the way we create and deliver guest experiences. More hotels, resorts, and event spaces are now focusing on reducing their carbon footprint, supporting local communities, and offering eco-conscious services that travellers are actively looking for.

 

From energy-efficient buildings and locally sourced food to zero-waste kitchens and wellness tourism, sustainable hospitality is opening fresh career paths for a new generation that cares about both people and the planet.

What is Sustainable Hospitality?

But what exactly is sustainable hospitality? And why should you, as a high schooler or high school graduate, consider a career in this industry?

 

The answer lies in how the hospitality industry is evolving to meet the world’s sustainability challenges. Sustainable hospitality is about making every part of the guest experience more environmentally friendly, socially conscious, and future-ready.

 

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact, enjoy working with people, or want to help shape the future of travel and hospitality, there’s a place for you in this fast-evolving industry.

What are the careers in Sustainable Hospitality?

There’s a wide range of exciting careers in this field and it’s not just for those who want to work in hotels. Whether you’re into green operations, sustainable food, wellness, event planning, or guest experience design, there’s a niche for you. Let’s explore some of the key careers in Sustainable Hospitality today — and the study pathways that can help you get there.

1. Wellness & Sustainability Integration Manager

Woman holding a tablet outdoors, greenery background
What does this career do?

 

A Wellness & Sustainability Integration Manager brings together two fast-growing trends in hospitality: well-being and eco-conscious living. They lead wellness programmes such as organic spa treatments, nature-based fitness experiences, and toxin-free environments, all while making sure facilities operate in eco-friendly ways. 

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • The RuMa Hotel & Residences: Combines wellness with sustainability via greener amenities, refillable spa products, energy-saving systems, and EV (electric vehicle)-charging installations.
  • Aman Resorts: Embraces integrated wellness programmes—spa, fitness, and sustainability are core to its brand identity.
  • Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort: Runs community clean-ups, supports local wildlife conservation, and embeds sustainability into wellness and tourism experiences.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for those who are interested in well-being, sustainability, and guest experience design. If you enjoy creating experiences that help people feel good while protecting the planet, this career combines both passions. 

 

What to study for this career?

2. Sustainable Events Planner

Creative team with mood boards and cardboard models planning for events
What does this career do?

 

A Sustainable Events Planner designs and organises events, from corporate conferences to weddings, with sustainability in mind.

They choose venues with green certifications, plan for waste reduction at events, select eco-friendly suppliers, and make sure every detail from decor to food to transport is as low- impact as possible.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Amari Kuala Lumpur: Offers event packages with recyclable materials, plant-based menu options, refillables, and sustainable venue design.
  • ShangriLa Rasa Ria (Kota Kinabalu): Became the first hotel in Malaysia (and in the Shangri-La Group worldwide) to achieve ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management. Their 186-hectare property—including a forest reserve and golf course—now operates under a fully integrated ESG framework covering waste, energy, and community partnerships.
  • JEJAWI Advisors: Consults venues and hotels on ISO 20121 sustainable event management standards — covering procurement, energy, and waste optimisation for conferences and weddings through a formalised framework.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This role is perfect for those who loves bringing people together and planning amazing experiences — and who also cares about reducing environmental impact. If you’re creative, detail-oriented, and passionate about green innovation, this career is a great fit.

 

What to study for this career?
  • High School: Focus on subjects like Business, Economics, and Computer Science.
  • Pre-U: Consider a foundation in either Arts or Business or a diploma in either field, or a diploma in Communication. Cambridge A Level and AUSMAT are excellent options too.
  • Undergraduate: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Events Management.
  • Beyond: Advanced degrees or certifications in ISO 20121 sustainable event management, or regenerative tourism and events can enhance your expertise.

3. Water & Energy Efficiency Specialist

Engineer in safety vest working on industrial piping system
What does this career do?

 

A Water & Energy Efficiency Specialist helps hotels and resorts run smarter and more sustainably. They monitor, analyse, and improve how energy and water are used across the property, making sure resources aren’t wasted and systems operate efficiently.

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • YTL Hotels: Integrates energy-saving systems like solar installations and smart monitoring across multiple properties — part of its sustainability commitments.
  • Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort: Features LED lighting, tinted windows, rainwater harvesting, and green choice programmes like reducing housekeeping services.
  • The RuMa Hotel & Residences: Uses motion-sensor lighting and AC systems, refillable amenities, plastic reduction, rainwater harvesting, and installs Winnow technology to measure food waste.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This career is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with technology, data, and systems to solve real-world problems. If you are passionate about finding smart ways to save energy and water, reduce waste, and make buildings run better — and you like the idea of helping hotels and resorts become more eco-friendly — this is a great career option for you.

 

What to study for this career?

4. Sustainable Food & Beverage Procurement Manager

Woman reviewing papers in a logistics or packaging workspace.
What does this career do?

 

A Sustainable Food & Beverage (F&B) Procurement Manager ensures that the ingredients and products used in hotel or resort dining are sourced in ways that are ethical, local, and environmentally friendly.

They work closely with chefs, suppliers, and sustainability teams to choose food that’s seasonal, reduces carbon emissions, and supports local farmers. 

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Resorts World Genting: Implements a farm-to-table concept at Awana Garden, sourcing produce from its own greenhouses and utilising environmental and social risk assessments for suppliers.
  • Sunway Hotels & Resorts: Operates rooftop hydroponic farms and collaborates with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Malaysia around sustainable seafood and cage-free eggs by 2030.
  • The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat: Known for sourcing organic, farmed produce onsite and serving eco-conscious dining experiences — awarded sustainable retreat recognition in 2024
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This role is great for anyone who loves bringing people together and planning amazing experiences, and who also cares about reducing environmental impact. If you’re creative, detail-oriented, and passionate about green innovation, this career is a great fit. 

 

What to study for this career?

Not sure if this path is right for you? Talk with a counsellor to explore how your interests can fit into the world of digital health — and find out which programmes can help you get there. They’re here to help you map it out.

 

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5. Zero-Waste Operations Manager

A team works together on eco-friendly packaging, handling recyclable containers and sustainable wrapping materials in a creative workspace
What does this career do?

 

A Zero-Waste Operations Manager focuses on helping hotels and resorts minimise how much waste they produce especially food waste, packaging, and disposable materials.

They set up recycling and composting systems, design waste reduction campaigns, and train staff on best practices. They also track and report waste data to help properties meet sustainability goals. 

 

Where can you work in this career?
  • Banyan Tree Hotels: Rolls out group-wide campaigns to eliminate single-use plastics and divert waste through on-property recycling and composting systems.
  • The Datai Langkawi: Runs a formal Zero Waste to Landfill programme including onsite composting, recycling stations, and eco-education guest workshops.
  • The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat: Achieved a Zero Waste Award in 2024 and operates rooftop hydroponic gardens alongside circular waste management systems for food and packaging.
 
Who is this career for? 

 

This role is ideal for problem-solvers who care about waste reduction and climate action. If you’re passionate about sustainability, like working with teams to drive change, and want to see tangible results, this career offers plenty of impact for you.

 

What to study for this career?
  • High School: Focus on subjects like Biology, Business, Mathematics, and Science.
  • Pre-U: Consider a foundation in either in Arts or Business or a diploma in either field. Cambridge A Level and AUSMAT  are excellent options too.
  • Undergraduate: Pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Hospitality Management or Culinary Management.
  • Beyond: Advanced degrees or certification in circular economy and systems thinking, or advanced ESG (environmental, social and governance) Reporting can be beneficial.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career in sustainable hospitality opens exciting opportunities, from designing eco-friendly hotels and sourcing ethical food to leading zero-waste initiatives and creating wellness experiences that care for both guests and the planet. Whether you're interested in sustainability, innovation, business, or people, there’s a place for you in this future-ready field.

 

By focusing on the right subjects in high school and pursuing relevant degrees and skills, you can turn your passion for hospitality and sustainability into a meaningful career that drives positive change. Remember, the future of hospitality is about progress and purpose — and you have the chance to help lead the way.

Inspired by the career options in this article? Book a session with our education counsellor and take the first step towards your future.
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