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The latest addition to Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ UAE property portfolio has been awarded the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification, just eight months after opening, following a rigorous sustainability audit process.
The 216-room hotel scored an impressive overall compliance score of 85 per cent across an uncompromising series of sustainable criteria, marking another successful step in the hotel group’s ambitious commitment to drive region-wide certification of all its Middle East properties by the end of 2012.
“Achieving international environmental standards is non-negotiable for every Movenpick hotel and our stakeholders expect us to demonstrate a long-term commitment to actions that run the gamut of the sustainability agenda, from practical energy-saving initiatives to employee education and community awareness,” said Michael Nugent, General Manager.
“In addition to the usual areas of cost saving opportunities such as energy saving, grey water recycling and landfill waste reduction, we have implemented a proactive purchasing policy that favours environmentally-friendly products, where available, and an external stakeholder communications strategy designed to drive awareness and buy-in from our guests and local partners,” he added.
The hotel was audited by UAE-based Farnek Avireal, which currently holds the exclusive rights to utilise the Green Globe brand, the premier worldwide sustainability stamp for the tourism industry, in 20 different countries throughout the Middle East. The company is also responsible for assisting Movenpick Hotels & Resorts hotels throughout the region in meeting the exacting standards required to achieve Green Globe Certification, which cover a total of 339 compliance indicators.
“Credible international certification is one way for hotels to gain a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace, but compliance with the GGC audit also has a direct effect on utility bills. Research that we have undertaken shows that the annual utility costs for a five-star hotel in Dubai stand at around US$2 million; and reducing energy consumption could potentially save an average 250-bedroom hotel around U$5 per room-night,” remarked Markus Oberlin, General Manager, Farnek Avireal.
“The obvious and immediate payback of having Green Globe Certification is improved financial performance through operational cost savings, but the intellectual investment in reaching certification has also engendered a new culture of commitment to positive environmental action among our employees. This has far-reaching long term benefits for both Movenpick Hotel Deira and the wider hospitality industry with a new generation of eco-activists walking the sustainability talk,” said Nugent.
Green Globe is the premier worldwide certification and performance improvement programme developed specifically for the travel and tourism industry. Green Globe assists organisations to improve their economic, social and environmental sustainability while being rewarded and recognised for it.
The Green Globe Certification Standard provides the international hospitality industry as whole with a framework to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their environmental sustainability performance, through which they can monitor improvements and achieve certification.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
