Green Hotelier Award 2018 - apply now!

The Green Hotelier Awards, which seek to discover the world's most sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially responsible hotels, has launched for 2018. Will a Green Key awarded establishment be the winner this year?

This year the Awards unveil a new look which changes the winning categories. In previous years hotels have been grouped geographically. This year hotels across the world will compete to win in categories which examine their carbon footprint, their water stewardship, their waste reduction, their community impact and their role as a responsible employer.

The move aims to align the awards with the industry call to action of the International Tourism Partnership(ITP) for hotels to focus their sustainable, environmental and socially responsible actions on the United Nations’ Global Goals also called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Green Hotelier Editor Siobhan O'Neill said, "The Green Hotelier Awards have been growing in popularity year on year and we expect record numbers of hotels to share their sustainability stories with us in 2018. Although the form hoteliers will complete is essentially the same as previous years, the new approach allows us to focus on the winners' actions and impacts, rather than their geographical location. In addition it means there will be more winners and hotels named Highly Commended because we've increased the number of categories we're awarding in.

"We wanted to reflect ITP's call to action to the hotel industry to work together to achieve the Global Goals, and we can use the Green Hotelier Awards to show hoteliers how their sustainability actions and initiatives are doing just that. The application process is still free and deliberately designed to be quick and easy. The scoring on each section is simple and transparent, and hotels will need to complete every section to be in with a chance of winning, but we'd like them to indicate which category they think they're a strong contender in. It doesn't mean they won't be considered as a winner in other categories as well.

"We're really excited to be launching our new look and we're looking forward to reading all the amazing sustainable and responsible business actions we know so many hotels around the world are actioning for a fairer future for all."

The new look Awards means that no hotel is excluded from entering. Previous winners can apply this year. The Awards are open to hotels, resorts, eco-lodges and B&Bs of any size, anywhere in the world. Entrants should read all the rules and tips for applying before completing the form to make sure they maximise their chances of winning. The closing date for entries is Friday 23rd March 2018, and the winners will be announced in April during Responsible Business Week.

Download the form as a pdf here or as a Word document. Completed forms should be emailed to info@greenhotelier.org.

The judges look forward to receiving the Awards and showcasing the winners' actions in support of the Global Goals.

Source and acknowledgement: Green Hotelier

Green Key wishes all Green Key awarded establishments that participate good luck!

Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki – a champion in sustainability communication!

Information to hotel guests about its environmental engagement and the encouragement to participate in the efforts is a matter of priority for Green Key awarded Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki in Finland!

Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki has had the Green Key award since 2015. The hotel has high standards in relation to resources saving, recycling and reusing; products such as the daily cleaning products and paper products have a recognised eco-label, and shampoo and shower gel are offered from a dispenser, etc.

The hotel is very proud to have the Green Key award and has decided to become a champion in relation to informing guests about the environmental efforts done at the hotel. The information also includes a clear encouragement for the guests to participate in the environmental efforts.

Already at the entrance of the hotel, the guests meet the Green Key plaque and certificate. The staff in the reception wears a Green Key pin and they are always ready to inform you about sustainable transport possibilities, such as nearby tram, bus or train stops or how to rent a city bicycle. In the elevator on the way to the room, you can read about what it means that the hotel is an environmentally friendly hotel. In the guest room, you can find information about Green Key and the encouragement to consider whether to have towels changed or the room cleaned – in case you stay more than one night. When you go to the hotel restaurant for your dinner, you can see the environmentally friendly options on the menu card, e.g. vegetarian or vegan dishes or dishes with locally produced ingredients. After a good night’s sleep, you can in the morning choose healthy and sustainable food options in the breakfast buffet. And finally, when you check out you are offered to choose not to have your payment receipt in an envelope.

Green Key wishes everyone a good and environmentally friendly stay at Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki!

Radisson Blu Hotels pilot the “Blu Planet Housekeeping” initiative

As part of Radisson Hotels’ responsible business programme with special focus on sustainability actions in September 2017, a number of Radisson Blu hotels have had the option to participate in the “Blu Planet Housekeeping” initiative.

Did you know that water covers more than 70% of our planet, but only 1% of it is actually drinkable? This means that the hospitality sector has to be as responsible as possible about its water usage. And that is why Radisson Blu hotels are focusing on preserving water through water mindfulness as part of the Responsible Business Action Month in September each year.

In September 2017, Radisson Blu launched the “Blu Planet Housekeeping” initiative. This is a housekeeping-bypass programme, designed to help conserve resources like water and energy but also resulting in a reduced environmental footprint for the hotels. The pilot has been adopted by more than 60 Radisson Blu hotels with all of the Radisson Blu hotels in the Baltic States as pioneers in this initiative.

So how does the scheme work? The idea is that guests accept to forgo the housekeeping service in their room, in return for a charity donation. So, for each night that a guest opts in to the “Blu Planet Housekeeping” initiative, they can request that the hotel, on their behalf, make a donation to Radisson’s water aid partner, Just a Drop supporting sustainable clean water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Africa, India and Peru.

Marriott latest hotel group to align CSR with the Global Goals

Marriott International launched the group’s new CSR strategy called Serve 360 and is the latest global group to align responsible business activities with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Marriott's Serve 360 Empower commitments

The company says that the new sustainability and social impact initiative is designed to foster business growth while balancing the needs of associates, customers, owners, the environment and communities.

Called Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction, the platform includes commitments for 2025 to:

• Reduce water by 15%, carbon by 30%, waste by 45% and food waste by 50%
• Contribute 15 million associate volunteer hours, 25% of which will be skills-based, to capitalize on personal talents and core business skills
• Train 100% of associates to know the signs of human trafficking
• Embed human rights criteria in recruitment and sourcing policies

Ray Bennett, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations at Marriott International and Serve 360 Executive Leadership Council Co-Chair said, “As the global hospitality leader with properties and associates across 125 countries and territories, Marriott International has a global responsibility and unique opportunity to be a force for good in all aspects of our business – from helping to reduce carbon and water use to providing our associates with human trafficking awareness training.

“We recognise that how we do business is as important as the business that we do. Incorporating environmental and social initiatives, including human rights awareness training, into our business is not only the right thing to do, it has a direct impact on our profits and beyond.”

Guided by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Marriott created Serve 360 to guide the company’s commitment and deliver positive results through four priority areas or “coordinates”:

• Nurture Our World – Advancing the resiliency and development of our communities.
• Sustain Responsible Operations – Reducing the company’s environmental impacts, sourcing responsibly and building and operating sustainable hotels.
• Empower Through Opportunity – Helping people prepare for jobs in the hospitality industry.
• Welcome All & Advance Human Rights – Creating a safe and welcoming world for associates and travellers alike.

Tricia Primrose, Global Chief Communications Officer at Marriott International and Serve 360 Executive Leadership Council Co-Chair said, “Building off our 2007 Sustainability goals, Marriott is proud to issue our next generation of goals, inclusive of social and human rights targets to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Associates and customers want to work for and do business with a company that aligns with their values and drives positive community impact. We are proud to be part of the solution.”

The platform also builds on Marriott’s support for ITP’s Goals and Vision for 2030. The International Tourism Partnership is the hotel industry’s voice for sustainability, leading the sector to a fairer future for all. The organisation launched Goals on carbon, water, youth employment and human rights, supported by its members. They are:

• YOUTH EMPLOYMENT: Collectively impact one million young people through employability programmes by 2030, thereby doubling the members’ current impact on youth unemployment.
• CARBON: Embrace science-based targets, and encourage the wider industry to join in reducing emissions at scale
• WATER: Embed water stewardship programmes to reduce the number of people affected by water scarcity; also improve water-use efficiency and identify ways to address water scarcity.
• HUMAN RIGHTS: Raise awareness of human rights risks, embed human rights into corporate governance, and address risks arising in the labour supply chain and during hotel construction.

Learn more about Serve 360 and Marriott’s commitments here.

Source: Green Hotelier

Commitment to the surrounding communities at Alaya Tulum

Alaya Tulum Hotel in Mexico shows a strong commitment to the surrounding communities by creating employment opportunities and by promoting sustainable development among the local region.

Alaya Tulum participated in the Green Key Best Practice Competition 2017 organized earlier this year with the theme “partnership and local engagement for sustainable development”. In January 2017, the hotel established a partnership with a family business of one of the employees at the hotel. The business is a 3 hectare organic farm called ‘Lemons’ 150 km from Tulum and it provides produce exclusively for Alaya Tulum Hotel. Through its operation, the farm provides work for a family of 4 people.

The sustainable production entails a better way of using existing resources at the farm, it promotes recycling of nutrients and helps improve the soil.  Organic production is based on the integration of practices of tilling the field, which includes a great amount of labour. This generates employment in the same area or region and prevents leakage of foreign exchange in the procurement of external inputs.  

There are several benefits of organic farming, which include:

• No use of chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers
• The produce has a flavor, color and aroma of the highest quality
• The produce contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

The locally produced products also help in preventing global warming, as the transportation lengths are minimized and by purchasing produce from the farm, Alaya Tulum supports the local economy.

Through their established partnership, the farm delivers produce to the hotel 3 times a week. The produce and amounts (per month) include:

• 2000 pieces of coconut
• 200 parts of pineapple
• 160 kg lemons
• 640 kg oranges
• 20 kg dragon fruit
• 12 kg habanero chili

The goal of Alaya Tulum is to maintain the relationship with the family business and to start working with new suppliers in order to increase the variety of products and the number of deliveries to the hotel. The hotel also want to offer more new and healthy dishes on their menu. In addition to their existing partnership, the hotel also encourages the use of organic, fair trade- labelled, ecolabelled and locally produced products when purchasing.   

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HUMAN = EARTH – Klaus K Hotel´s environmental work resembles their essence

In the lobby of Green Key awarded Klaus K Hotel you can feel impressed – and look a bit funny, as a magnificent 3D photo exhibition takes you to journey into Finnish nature. The exhibition portrays humans as inseparable parts of nature and earth. Let´s put on some 3D classes.

Design hotel Klaus K lies in the heart of capital of Finland, Helsinki. HUMAN = EARTH artworks picture Finnish nature: swamps, rocks, rain and woods. They lure to touch the branches and dive into cold water, to take you from the hotel lobby to the forest. You can almost feel the rain drops on your cheeks.

“Nature has been proved to help to recover from stress, forget the things that worry your mind and uplift your spirits. We chose to present artworks of nature because we want to remind our customers to spend time in the nature,” Klaus K´s hotel and marketing manager Tero Thynell says.

Kämp Collection Hotels', part of which Klaus K is, environmental policy focuses on a dream of a greener world - Green Dream. Green Dream is a practice which aims to enhance environmental awareness and set targets through everyday activities. All the Kämp Collection Hotels have been Green Key certified to have support on their journey towards the Green Dream.

As Klaus K has a strong brand as a design hotel that showcases Finnish design and art, artworks of nature is a natural way to resemble their Green Dream.

The artworks of the exhibition were created in collaboration by TVPR Creative design agency and WWOOLLFF CO. clothing brand. More info on Klaus K website.

As local as it can be - artisan food at the Åland Islands

Anderssons Guest House & Bakery is one of the smallest Green Key awarded sites on the Åland Islands, Finland, and they won third place at the Green Key Best Practice Competition 2017.

The operations at Anderssons Guest House & Bakery are run with great care for the environment. The site consists of a small guest house, bakery and café and the owner Annette has an excellent availability of high quality local foods, which helps her operate in a truly sustainable manner.

“The main ingredients in my bakery are local, like the flour and all dairy products. We have great foods of high quality on Åland Islands. The guests can feel that it’s genuine and many say that all local food on the Åland Islands tastes so good”, says Annette. One of her specialties is the hemvete (directly translated to home wheat), which is a traditional bread from Åland. This bread can be enjoyed in the bakery or by guests of the guest house for breakfast, and the flour for the bread comes from an organic farm just 1,5 km away. When Annette needs more flour, she can just pick up the phone and call Gunilla, the owner of the farm, and place an order. This means that the flour is totally fresh and it is ground in a traditional stone mill.

The cooperation benefits both the small guest house and the farm; “With our cooperation I know that I get high quality, real and genuine ingredients from just around the corner”, says Annette. Gunilla continues by adding “It’s nice that my flour becomes a really locally produced bread. I can buy Annette’s bread and taste it”.

The bread is so popular that visitors often first buy one and then return to buy a whole bunch before they leave the Åland Islands. At the end of the summer when Annette closes up for the season, people can come and buy even 20 hemvete at a time to keep in the freezer to have the delicious bread to eat later. Annette also cooperates with other local suppliers, like the local dairy cooperative ÅCA and the local mill Överängs.

The cooperation between two environmentalists to produce local, artisan food as a way of showing visitors and locals the local food culture and food history is the reason why Anderssons Guest House & Bakery won third place at the Best Practice Competition 2017.

A month of Responsible Business Action - Radisson Hotel Group is making a difference

Hotels and corporate offices around the world organized over 1,200 events during the 14th year of the Responsible Business Action Month, a core pillar of the Hotel Group’s overarching Responsible Business program.

Every year, Radisson Hotel Group devotes September as its Responsible Business Action Month. The month is celebrated across the globe, with hotels and corporate offices coming together for various actions to reach out to the community and support those in need. Even though focus is placed on September, many of the global initiatives are taking place year-round. The month is also devoted to contributing to Radisson Hotel Group’s global charity partners such as Just a Drop (Radisson Blu), the Global Food Banking Network (Radisson), Read Indeed (Country Inns & Suites by Radisson Hotels) and Youth Career Initiative (Park Inn by Radisson).

“During September, we make every moment matter by creating a positive impact on local communities through fundraising activities, donations and enthusiastic volunteering by our hotel teams around the globe.” says Inge Huijbrechts, Global Vice President of Responsible Business. During the month, each of Radisson Hotel Group’s brands implement programs that have a positive and unique impact to their communities.

At the Radisson Blu hotels, the Blu Planet program was supported through participation in volunteer activities related to water scarcity and water mindfulness. This included for instance Walks for Water and ocean and river clean-up activities that you can read about in our previous news feature as well as other initiatives. The highlight was the launch of Radisson Blu’s pilot Blu Planet for Housekeeping, which gives guests the opportunity to forego housekeeping services. More than 60 hotels participated in the initiative and for every night a guest opted in, the hotels donated on the guests’ behalf to the charity Just a Drop, which funds drinking water projects in Guatemala, Kenya and India.

Park Inn by Radisson continued with its award-winning initiative Adding Color to Lives with activities in support of helping youths at risk. The initiative was partnered by a world-famous street artist, Joel Bergner, and guided by him, Park Inn by Radisson employees and local youth designed and painted murals in the cities of Stuttgart (Germany), Riga (Latvia), St Petersburg (Russia), Bucharest (Romania) and Sharon, Pa. (U.S.).

Radisson Hotels focused to care and give back to communities by supporting the fight against hunger, serving meals to people in need and through food drives and fundraisers held for local foodbanks while Radisson Hotel Group’s lifestyle select brand Radisson RED had a focus on the sharing economy.  The RED hotels held swapping events for fashion, books and tools and collected donations via the pay forward principle.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts continued the work on the “Save Tomorrow’s Trees Today” campaign while Country Inns & Suites by Radisson Hotels collected books for children in need and worked together with local communities on literacy activities.

In response to the series of devastating hurricanes that hit communities in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean in August and September, Radisson Hotel Group teams also came together to raise funds for employees affected and Radisson Hotels deployed a campaign to their members who helped raise 93,000 USD in donations for the American Red Cross.

Source: Radisson Hotel Group

Mon Arbre à Moi – A story of reforestation

The runner-up to the Green Key Best Practice Competition 2017, Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, inspires with their determined initiative of reforestation.

In January 2017, Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo launched its project Mon Arbre à Moi – My Very Own Tree to reforest a hillside that had been burnt down by an act of arson. The hillside in question overlooks the town of Menton, which borders with the principality of Monaco. As an important number of the staff members live in Menton, the Green Committee at Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo decided to take action and get involved in an important cause for the area.

Mon Arbre à Moi is a significant symbolic initiative that was jointly crafted by the Metropole, the municipality of Menton and the Office National des Forêts (National Forests Office) involving partnerships between several actors. On event day, olive-tree seeds were given to the staff members´ children so that they, together, could plant the first new trees on the burned-out site. A local association, Les Ânes Maritimes, participated by lending their donkeys to help carry the jerry cans needed to water the trees.

The initiative is a long-term project uniting the participants annually on 21 March, celebrated as the International Day of Forests, to visit their trees, to water them and to see how they have grown. Once the trees start to produce olives, the project participants will be invited to harvest them. The olives will then be sent to a local olive oil producer, L´huile Saint Michel, and once produced the olive oil will be given to the guests at the Metropole. Guests will also have a chance to directly participate in the ongoing project by planting their own seeds and thereby help with the reforestation.

Mon Arbre à Moi proves that it is perfectly possible to be a luxury hotel while cultivating real ecological authenticity and take a stand for the environment. The initiative has helped nature rebuild itself and to recreate the hillside landscape of Menton, and as a long-term act for the planet, only recycled water is used to water the olive trees. The initiative has also been warmly welcomed by guests at the hotel and it has helped in raising awareness on the Metropole’s environmental pledge and green policy.

The reforestation initiative is a strong showcase of different stakeholders coming together and creating partnerships for a central environmental cause, and it is the reason Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo was awarded second place at the 2017 Green Key Best Practice Competition.