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Green Key featured in The Historic Traveller magazine

The Historic Hotels of Europe publication has dedicated a page to the eco-label certificate, highlighting the recent changes in the Green Key programme.

Historic Hotels of Europe that promotes an incredible collection of hotels, manors and palaces throughout Europe has now published the third issue of its Historic Traveller magazine, with a page dedicated to the Green Key programme. In the article, the Green Key’s International Director, Finn Bolding Thomsen, reflects on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospitality industry and Green Key’s role in supporting the certified hotels and other categories in the hospitality industry during these challenging latest years.

“During this uncertain time, we have supported our Green Key awarded establishments by showing flexibility in the certification process and by running campaigns that were tailored to the needs during the pandemic”, explains Finn Bolding Thomsen, adding that due to the recent worldwide events, the climate crisis is further becoming a top global concern.

The set of Green Key international standards for establishments is also highlighted in The Historic Traveller issue since the criteria have recently been strengthened to increasingly focus on the reduction of carbon emissions and pollution and the protection of biodiversity. Ultimately, the goal is to continue sharing the best practices of the certified establishments, as the Green Key International Director emphasises:

“Our ambition is to support our participating establishments through training, webinars, and other supporting tools […]. We also want to increase awareness of the guests visiting Green Key certified accommodation through information and involvement during the visit as well as promotion of the sustainability efforts through social media”.

Lastly, the Historic Traveller’s article on Green Key also addresses the intention of the eco-label organisation to join the Glasgow Declaration, which aims for a net-zero future by 2050.

More details on The Historic Hotels of Europe can be read here.

Mattress spring-cleaning without chemicals

The holiday park Landal Bad Kleinkirchheim in Austria found an effective and ecofriendly way to clean their mattresses, peace of mind and sweet dreams for their guests guaranteed. 

Copyright: Landal Bad Kleinkirchheim

Copyright: Landal Bad Kleinkirchheim

After a long winter season without guests due to the Corona pandemic, the holiday park Landal Bad Kleinkirchheim can’t wait to open their doors again. While the tourist industry went into a forced hibernation, the park management decided to make the best out of the time and started their spring- cleaning early this year.  

In February, all of the park’s mattresses were cleaned and disinfected to ensure their guests that they can expect the highest hygiene standards when returning to Landal Bad Kleinkirchheim. And not only that – the cleaning was done without the use of any chemicals, ensuring that it is not only good for the guests but for the environment as well.  

During the processes, the mattresses are put into a cleaning truck that cleans them in four steps. First, they are vacuumed to remove all organic materials. In the second step, the mattresses are irradiated with UC light which kills 99,99% of the bacteria, viruses and mould on the surface. In the third step, active oxygen is used to eliminate the bacteria in the core of the mattress. In the final step, the mattresses are thermally treated to reduce the humidity in the core. The cleaning system is patented by the company SLEEP TIDY. 



Green Key hotel receives recognition for its focus on sustainability and eco-living practices

Green Key awarded Hotel Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel (Greece) has received the Gold and Platinum Green Awards in the category Services for its overall sustainability strategy and programme “Kallichoron Goes Green”, aiming to reduce carbon footprint and encourage travellers to embrace sustainable practices during their holidays.

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Kallichoron’s great achievements during the pandemic

Green Key is thrilled to highlight the results at Kallichoron. Reaching these achievements under the current conditions the world is living in is very special. However, there has been a positive interest in sustainability within the hospitality industry. In this particular moment, Green Awards have rewarded the businesses which have shown agility, adaptability and have perceived the business disruption caused by the pandemic as an opportunity to revise their business model and bring sustainability to their core strategy. This is precisely what our Green Key awarded Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel has been able to do.

Some reflections from the Co-founders

Besides making us proud, Kallichoron Co-founders have shown their appreciation and desire to keep striving for more sustainable tourism:

Maria Mavroudi, Co-founder and General Manager: “We are delighted to receive this award, which is special to us, as it reflects our commitment to work towards sustainable tourism, support local community and welfare. Purpose defines the identity of a business and the reason it exists, forming the benchmark for every decision. At Kallichoron, and as we grow as a hotel business, what drives everything we do is our collective and individual commitment to operate in a responsible manner and in line with our values. The trust of our guests, community and our people place at Kallichoron, alongside our high standards to ethical behaviour, is fundamental to our actions and this award encourages us to work harder."

Carolina Alkalai, co-founder and Hotel Manager of Kallichoron continued "This award is yet another incentive to continue offering great, innovative services to our guests, in a sustainable manner and with responsibility. And it is the right thing to do for our planet and future generations. Thank you for your support all these years, and we hope we don’t ever disappoint!”

Green Awards

Green Awards were organized for the first time this year by the Boussias Group, under the auspices of the Panhellenic Association of Chemical Engineers and the Environmental Scientists of Greece (EPPE) and the support of HSBC Bank and KLORANE.

Keep up the good work!

Green Key is proud to see the growth of Kallichoron with regard to sustainability. We hope this development continues and we look forward to seeing your progress and devotion to sustainable tourism.


For additional information about Kallichoron Hotel:

www.kallichoron.gr

For more info about Green Awards:

https://www.greenawards.gr

Green Key partner NH Hotel Group now one of the most sustainable companies worldwide

Green Key Partnerships

Green Key partner NH Hotel Group stands out as one of the most sustainable leaders in the hospitality industry. Due to its efforts, NH has placed itself in the top three of the hospitality industry and has been recognized by the prestigious Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

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Green Key International is delighted to see how one of our main hospitality partners, NH Hotel Group, stands out as one of the most sustainable leaders in the hospitality industry. The evaluation made by SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) awarded NH Hotel Group ‘the best in class’ in nine out of the 23 criteria evaluated: Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Management, Fiscal Strategy, Environmental Report, Climate Strategy, Social Report, Indicators of Labour Practices, Development of Human Capital, and Occupational Health and Safety.

Great achievements for NH Hotel Group

An important achievement regards the categories where NH Hotel Group reached the highest scores possible: Customer Relationship Management; Fiscal Strategy; Environmental Report; Climate Strategy; Social Report and Development of Human Capital.

Maarten Markus, Managing Director Northern Europe: “sustainability is very important in NH Hotel Group's business operations and hotel services. I am very proud of these assessments: they motivate us to focus even more on corporate social responsibility in 2021. We are preparing for a sustainable future in order to maintain our exemplary function within the hotel industry.”

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) index

Additionally, NH Hotel Group received another recognition for their efforts in becoming a sustainable company. The group has been awarded a B-rating by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Climate Change index, an international, non-profit organization that promotes sustainability.

With that being said, we are more than proud to see NH Hotel Group’s sustainable performance grow and we wish them more success for the upcoming year!


For more information about NH Hotel Group Corporate Responsibility Policy:

https://www.nh-hotels.com/corporate/responsible-and-sustainable-company

For more information about SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA):

https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/

TUI presents ten-point plan for hotel operations in times of Coronavirus

Green Key’s partner TUI has introduced a 10-point plan with a set of measures and standards to reopen its hotels. 

Copyright : tuigroup.com

Copyright : tuigroup.com

The measures will enable guests to enjoy their holidays in the knowledge that the highest hygiene standards in relation to Covid-19 have been put in place. In addition to organisation, capacity planning and hygiene measures, the plan also includes intensive training of local staff. The new standards will not only be implemented in the Group's own hotel brands such as TUI Blue, Robinson and TUI Magic Life, but will also be made available to the Group's joint venture and hotel partners. It is part of a more comprehensive package of measures that covers all of the tour operator's service components, from retail, flights and transfers to hotel stays, local excursions and cruises.

“Customer surveys clearly indicate that safety and hygiene will be of paramount importance for holidaymakers after the lockdown”, says Sebastian Ebel, the member of the Group Executive Board responsible for Holiday Experiences. "With our Group-wide, integrated health and safety management system, we can ensure that our hotels meet guests’ high expectations and offer the best possible protection against infections during these unusual times. We are laying the foundations for an agile and safe return to business so we can be ready to offer our unique holiday experiences again as soon as possible".

The plan in detail:

HOTEL ORGANISATION

1) Online check-in: Holidaymakers can make check-in contactless at many hotels by checking in online via the hotel's website or via their smartphone.

2) Distance rule: In public areas such as in the restaurants, corridors or gyms, all employees are required to keep a distance of 1.5 to two metres between them and the guests. For example, tables in restaurants will only be cleaned when guests have vacated them.

3) Personnel planning: Staff will work together in fixed teams in order to reconstruct possible infection chains.

CAPACITY ADJUSTMENT

4) Restaurant: To limit the number of guests in restaurants capacities will be significantly reduced. Tables will be set up at a minimum distance of 1.5 metres apart.

5) Extension of opening hours: In order to provide sufficient space for all guests, the opening hours of restaurants and other hotel facilities will be extended.

6) Entertainment and activities: Only events, sports and entertainments involving a small number of participants and without close contact will be made available. Golf or tennis, for example, can take place, but football tournaments cannot. The spa offer will be adapted and childcare will be organised according to new standards in line with the requirements of the destinations and guests’ countries of origin.

HYGIENE & DISINFECTION

7) Expansion of disinfectant dispensers: The number of dispensers will be significantly increased so that guests and employees can disinfect their hands at all important contact points. For example, all locations where food and drink is offered, sports facilities and in the lobby area.

8) Room cleaning: Extensive new cleaning practices will be put in place to provide the best possible protection against potential Covid-19 viruses. All rooms will be thoroughly deep cleaned before the arrival of guests and the same intensely robust cleaning protocols will be applied during every guest change over. The most frequently used areas, such as bathrooms, and most used devices and appliances like TV remote controls will receive particular attention.

9) Reduction of self-service: Self-service offers such as buffets will be reduced to a minimum. Wherever possible, food and beverages will be served to guests by staff wearing protective masks.

EXTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME

10) Training by independent auditors: TUI will train all employees in its own hotels. The training documents will be made available to the hoteliers.

These measures will be in addition to the statutory regulations of the respective destinations. In order to ensure an equally high level of safety in partner hotels not operated by TUI, the Group has also launched a comprehensive training and inspection programme in cooperation with the leading hygiene and safety consultancy Cristal International Standards. This includes training materials, webinars, checklists and customer information and will be made available to the joint venture partners and hotel operators imminently.

“With this set of measures we are creating the framework required to ensure we can offer our guests enjoyable and safe holiday experiences as soon travel restrictions are lifted. TUI can be relied upon to continue working hard, in close partnership with tourist destinations around the world, towards the gradual opening up of global tourism”, added Sebastian Ebel.

Copyright: tuigroup.com

Copyright: tuigroup.com

Green Key's partner Ecolab ready to support establishments get back to business safely

Green Key International is providing access for its establishments to Ecolab’s programme of hygiene tools, materials and training, to offer peace of mind as the hospitality industry prepares to re-open post COVID-19

For decades, Green Key’s partner Ecolab has been helping its customers address big challenges and operate successfully in both good times and difficult times. Building on its experience of managing pandemics, from SARs in 2002, to MERS in 2012 and to today’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Ecolab demonstrates its commitment to keeping lodging, foodservice and healthcare markets cleaner, safer and healthier by releasing its relentless recovery programme.

Green Key International works with its awarded establishments to share best practices and stories of solidarity in its network. Support in the industry and from local communities are helping businesses in facing this period of adversity. The Ecolab programme is a free resource developed by Ecolab to provide expertise and guidance on combatting the spread of COVID-19 and reducing the risk of infection for employees and guests.

As social, leisure, retail and business operations recommence, collaboration of reputable partners like Ecolab and Green Key International is more important than ever to support establishments to safely restart their activities.

Ecolab has developed a programme of tools, materials and training accessible to all Green Key establishments as they prepare to welcome returning guests and customers:

  • Informative and actionable information guiding hotels, restaurants, catering establishments and facilities as they prepare to reopen​

  • Hygiene plans, wall charts and checklists to enable best hygiene practices, and  rebuild guest and customer confidence​

  • Training for employees delivered on-site, remotely or via webinars, including state-of-the-art training materials from Ecolab’s online training experts Lobster Inc.​

  • Innovative product solutions assuring highest hygiene standards through the customers operation ​

  • Remotely or on-site service provided by Ecolab’s specialists who are trained to support customers before, during and after their reopening ​

The entire programme is available by visiting ecolab.com and for Green Key establishments in the global toolbox resource.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With annual sales of $15 billion and 49,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions, data-driven insights and on-site service to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare, energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world.

For more Ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com.

Follow Ecolab on Twitter @ecolab, Facebook at facebook.com/ecolab, LinkedIn at Ecolab or Instagram at Ecolab Inc.