Royal Caribbean Cruises has been recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies.
The parent of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises and Silversea Cruises was the only firm rated in the leisure and recreation industry category.
Hilton and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts were recognised in the area of lodging and hospitality.
The rankings were unveiled yesterday covering 128 firms from 21 countries across 50 industries.
Companies making the list have met rigorous criteria across five categories covering the quality of their ethics and compliance programme, organisational culture, corporate citizenship and responsibility, governance, and leadership and reputation.
The rankings were published by the US-based Ethisphere Institute, which defines and advances standards in ethical business practices.
The assessment is based on a framework which offers a quantitative way to assess a company’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardised manner.
The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics.
Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance programme (35%), culture of ethics (20%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), governance (15%) and leadership and reputation (10%).
Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich said: “Today employees, consumers and stakeholders value companies that show both a commitment to business integrity, and also have the organisational humility to never stop seeking improvement.
“The World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees understand that this approach has a profound impact on communities and is the foundation for broader success and profitability.”
Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and CEO Richard Fain said: “We recognise that corporate responsibility and accountability is increasingly driving decisions made by our guests, business partners and our employees.
“This honour is a reflection of our 50-year commitment to demonstrating these shared values every day, and I know our employees take great pride in this recognition.”