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Sustainability with Heart and Purpose: A Conversation with Constanze Kunz

Right in the heart of Munich, where tradition and hospitality have always been held in high regard, Platzl Hotel is taking another step toward the future: here, sustainability is not just a concept—it’s a lived reality. Since mid-year, Constanze Kunz has been responsible for the strategic direction of this vital topic as Head of Sustainable Development. In this interview, she shares how she came into her new role, what defines the new guiding principles—and why sustainability, to her, is a matter of fairness.

You've been Head of Sustainable Development at Platzl Hotels since mid-year. How did this newly created position come about?

Sustainability has long been a topic at Platzl Hotels, approached with the best intentions and knowledge available. However, what was missing was a central figure with the expertise to drive the topic strategically. When I took on the role, my goal was to firmly anchor sustainability within the company, identify areas for improvement, and—most importantly—implement concrete measures together with the teams. The position is ideally placed, as I work as Executive Assistant and therefore have direct access to senior management and can think across departments.

What prompted the development of a dedicated sustainability mission statement?

I quickly realized that we needed a shared foundation and a unified understanding of sustainability within the company—as well as a vision for where we want to go. That’s why I collaborated with six engaged Platzl talents from various departments in two workshops to develop a mission statement that complements our existing corporate values.

What are the core elements of the new mission statement?

Our vision is to embed ecological action, social responsibility, and long-term thinking into Munich’s hospitality culture. We align ourselves with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and aim to contribute to a livable future. Our mission is to view sustainability as an ongoing process, to make progress measurable, and to actively involve all Platzl talents. The five guiding principles range from resource-conscious practices and social responsibility to a fair working environment, regional partnerships, and continuous development.

How is the mission statement implemented in daily operations, and how are employees involved?

We’re already taking action through energy efficiency, waste reduction, use of green electricity, regional products, and sustainable materials. At the same time, we foster team spirit, an open culture around mistakes, and offer training opportunities as well as a healthy work environment. Employee participation and engagement are especially important to me. Only when everyone understands the purpose can they truly contribute. That’s why we created an internal video to communicate the new mission statement in a humorous and accessible way. Alongside its release, I launched a company-wide survey to gather ideas and perspectives from all employees—because they know the departmental processes best. The results of this survey will form the basis for next year’s initiatives. In this way, sustainability becomes a shared process involving as many people as possible.

What personally motivates you about this topic?

Over time, I’ve become increasingly interested in sustainability in my personal life. For me, sustainability is primarily about fairness. It’s simply fair and just toward future generations to use and shape our world in a way that ensures it remains livable—or even becomes more livable! That’s what motivated me to engage more deeply with sustainability. At the same time, I identified sustainability as a “gap” within Platzl Hotels and, in the spirit of sustainable development, was given the opportunity to pursue further education as a Sustainability Manager at the German Hotel Academy.