Friday 18 July 2025 – Hotels across Asia are increasingly stepping up to meet global animal welfare standards, and ONYX Hospitality Group is the latest to join this growing movement. After dialogue with Sinergia Animal, an international animal protection NGO working in the Global South, ONYX Hospitality Group has committed to transitioning to cage-free eggs across its properties in Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

This commitment applies to the group’s flagship brands—Amari, Oriental Residence, and OZO—and marks a significant shift for Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry. The transition will begin in Thailand in 2025, with ONYX Hospitality Group aiming to achieve 50% cage-free sourcing by 2026 and reach 100% by 2027 across all committed markets.

“We see ONYX Hospitality Group’s announcement as a milestone for Southeast Asia’s hospitality sector. Cage-free is no longer a distant goal—it’s the baseline of what animal welfare should look like moving forward,” said Saneekan Rosamontri, Managing Director at Sinergia Animal Thailand.

Hens in battery cage systems are typically confined to spaces smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, unable to fully stretch their wings, walk, or express natural behaviors. These extreme confinement conditions cause severe physical and psychological suffering to millions of animals each year.

In a statement released on their social media platforms, ONYX Hospitality Group emphasized the importance of aligning ingredient sourcing with their values.

“We believe every ingredient tells a story,” the company stated. “That’s why we’re making a bold move, transitioning to cage-free eggs across all our properties.”

Commitment Driven by Ethical Hospitality Vision

According to Sukamal Mondal, Vice President of Operations and Sustainability at ONYX Hospitality Group, the decision reflects the company’s broader sustainability vision.

“At ONYX Hospitality Group, our commitment to Sustainability Crafted Hospitality means aligning luxury experiences with ethical, responsible practices,” he said. “Our transition to cage-free eggs is driven by a deep sense of responsibility — to advance animal welfare, meet the expectations of conscious travelers, and ensure that our sourcing practices support more humane and sustainable food systems. Cage-free eggs are more than an ingredient; they represent a step toward a compassionate future where hospitality choices create a positive impact.”

ONYX Hospitality Group hopes this step will catalyze broader change across the hospitality sector.

“Our cage-free commitment is more than an internal milestone — it’s a message to the broader hospitality sector that ethical sourcing and animal welfare can, and should, be part of standard operations,” Mondal added.

“We also see collaboration—not competition—as key to accelerating impact,” he continued. “By openly sharing our journey, the challenges we face, and the solutions we find, we hope to build momentum and contribute to a more compassionate, sustainable food system for all.”

A Broader Movement Toward Animal Welfare

Sinergia Animal has been working to raise public awareness about the cruelty of battery cages in Thailand since 2019. The organization combines public education with corporate engagement and uses tools like the Asia Cage-Free Tracker to promote transparency and ensure companies deliver on their promises. (More info at cagefreetracker.com.)

The cage-free movement is gaining strong momentum across Asia, with over 300 corporate commitments in the region, according to data from Chicken Watch, a global monitoring platform. With major food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and now hospitality leaders pledging to eliminate battery cages, ethical sourcing is no longer a niche—it’s fast becoming the new industry standard.

“The cage-free movement is no longer just an option—it’s a global shift,” said Saneekan. “We invite all food and hospitality companies in Thailand and across the region to join us. Together, we can build a food system that’s not only kinder to animals but also more aligned with the values of today’s consumers.”