Tag: Environmental

Galway hotel nominated for sustainability awards

UK: The Twelve Hotel in Galway has been nominated for the European tourism sustainability awards

UK: The Twelve Hotel in Galway has been nominated for the European tourism sustainability awards

The 2022 GrINN Awards by Quartz Hotels, aim to recognise those who promote sustainable travel within the sector including hospitality and tourism.

Ignacio Merino, Quartz Inn Hotels’ managing director said: “The main objective of the awards is to promote good sustainable practices in the hospitality sector”.

The Twelve Hotel has been nominated for Best Sustainable Accommodation in Ireland, Best Sustainable 4-star hotel in Europe and Best Sustainable Accommodation in Northern Europe.

A spokesperson from the Twelve Hotel said: “We recognise that our business has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations, and to help secure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.”

The hotel has been making huge strides to offer a greener stay by changing the lighting to low energy, adding aerators to its taps (which reduces water consumption), and using 100 per cent biodegradable material for coffee cups. The hotel has also increased its support for locally grown food to serve in its restaurant, as well as helping the local school with its Green Flag environmental activities.

Nominees from 23 European countries are taking part in the 50 categories and the winners from each category will be chosen after a public voting process.

Quartz Inn, which runs the awards, says it aims to “reduce energy, water, CO2 emissions, and waste production. Our aim is to achieve more stringent sustainability targets … and emphasise innovation and sustainability as part of an overall guest experience in our hotels.”

​Quartz Inn plants trees for every new hotel and partner joining and allocates a percentage of its income for reforestation and to preserve local cultures and the environment.

Image: Twelve Hotel

Marriott International shares London office space with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

UK: Marriott International is to share its Holborn offices with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as they work closely on environmental issues.

UK: Marriott International is to share its Holborn offices with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance as they work closely on environmental issues.

Sharing Marriott International’s offices, until Q2 next year, is a key moment for the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, which brings the industry together to look at social and environmental challenges facing the world today.

In March this year, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance launched its Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, a framework aimed at those in the industry who want to make positive changes towards climate change, biodiversity loss, and waste. It also encourages the sector to look at the social aspect, working on human rights and inclusive employment. 

Glenn Mandziuk, chief executive officer, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “Our organisation is built on collaborative action – across our members, the wider hotel industry, their business associates and other strategic partners – and this office will enable our team to work together on shared environmental and social solutions. We are grateful for our partnership with Marriott International as we transition from remote working towards a permanent HQ. Coming out of the pandemic, we are seeing a huge momentum across the industry, and beyond, for sustainability, and this workspace will enable our charity to continue its evolution and growth.”

Marriott will share its offices until the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance finds a suitable headquarters, and will benefit from the partnership with the charity, drawing on its expertise and strategies for the hospitality industry. Marriott International aims to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050 through its science based targets and sustainability and social impact platform, Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction.

Dani Murray, vice president, business finance & administration, Europe, Marriott International, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to our office space. At Marriott International, we take our commitment to environmental, social and governance extremely seriously and we value the essential work of this global sustainability network. We look forward to working closely with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance over the coming months and welcome the opportunity to support the charity’s growth and further drive collaborative action across the wider hospitality industry.”

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s members make up 25 per cent of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 14 world- leading hotel companies with a combined reach of over 30,000 properties and 4.5 million rooms.

Current members include: BC Hospitality Group, Caesars Entertainment, Dorint Hotels & Resorts, Deutsche Hospitality, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, ITC Hotels, Marriott International, Radisson Hotel Group, Scandic, Soneva and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

It’s not just industry experts who value a sustainable hotel strategy. Booking.com’s latest Sustainability Report found more than 50 per cent of UK travellers wanted to stay in sustainable accommodation when travelling abroad.