"The ecolabel has paid off" – The example of DGI Byen in Denmark

The ecolabel contributed to cost reduction of the hotel and conference venue and improved its environmental strategy, according to the DGI Byen CCO (Chief Commercial Officer).

DGI Byen hotel and conference centre

As one of the 21 hotels that received the Green Key certificate in 2021 in Denmark, the DGI Byen hotel and conference centre is already benefiting from its decision of becoming a greener establishment. That is the opinion of Jesper Bremholm, the CCO of DGI Byen, who participated in the last of four Energitrim workshops organised by Sustain in January 2022. The last Energitrim workshop focused mainly on the importance of the Green Key certificate for hospitality businesses and the necessary steps for obtaining the eco-label.

Reflecting on the first year of DGI Byen with the Green Key certificate, the hotel and conference venue CCO Jesper Bremholm acknowledged that the company is already experiencing the advantages of being certified by Green Key. DGI Byen´s CCO explained that the ecolabel has not only helped the company to improve its environmental standards but also allowed DGI Byen to sell more.

To Green Key International, Jesper Bremholm clarified: “The ecolabel has paid off and brought advantages to our business as more customers today are concerned about environmental sustainability and therefore requires the ecolabel when they book location for meetings, conferences and so on. Also, our hotel guests are concerned about environmental sustainability, and we believe that having the Green Key label gets our hotel to appear in more online searches. In the economic perspective, it means that we gain customers who would not have chosen DGI Byen if we did not have the Green Key label.”

Moreover, Jesper Bremholm considers that the environmental work initiated through the Green Key certificate has allowed the hotel to better include both guests and employees in this new green strategy.

Countryside establishment in Belgium continues their sustainable work and embraces the Green Key certification

Kasteelhoeve Wange in Belgium continues to pursue sustainability on receipt of the Green Key accreditation. Welcoming gatherings in groups for both companies and leisure groups on the farm, offering a unique experience in a rural setting.

Kasteelhoeve Wange is a farm that can be found at the end of a cobblestone road, enclosed with the tranquillity of meadows, orchards and animals visiting nearby. With the farm offering a warm welcome and a large outdoor and indoor space, it provides visitors with both an opportunity to be alone for peace and quiet, or, if preferred, to spend time together with others as the solid walls of the farm accommodation providing the perfect opportunity to bond with each other. Furthermore, Kasteelhoeve Wange has scope for various workplace gatherings such as team building, meetings, events or training. Numerous possibilities can arise due to the indoor or outdoor landscape, additionally with the option of an overnight stay.

Kasteelhoeve Wange priorities sustainability! On their website, they explain how sustainability is not a marketing term for them, but they carefully search for ways to reduce their impact and strain on the environment, individuals and animals. Their sustainable work has led them, to consistently receive the Green Key accreditation.

Kasteelhoeve Wange says: “The recognition we get for our sustainability efforts is a nice reward and empowers us to do even better. The National Jury awarded the Green Key Label to us for organising the accommodation for conferences and lodging (B&B) in a sustainable way. The Jury was very fond of the transition from a conventional farm into a sustainable one, and we see the Green Key as a passport towards recognition.”

Kasteelhoeve Wange in Belgium received the Green Key certification as well as won the most sustainable tourist accommodation in the world (2018 & 2019) Balliet Latour Price for environment & nature conservancy 2021.

Additionally, in 2018, founder and CEO of Kasteelhoeve, Philip Van Kelst, won the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Professional of the Year 2017 award. The judges acknowledged: “Philip and Kasteelhoeve Wange have an open and transparent CSR policy, with a strong focus on inclusion. In addition, sustainability and care for the environment were some of the core values ​​from the start. This makes Philip an example for his sector!”

For more information on the establishment visit their website at: https://www.kasteelhoevewange.be.

Tobago gains two more Green Key Awards

Recently, the Green Key National Jury of Trinidad and Tobago unanimously awarded two tourism accommodation properties the internationally recognised Green Key.

Adventure Eco Villas and Native Abode became the two newest members of the International Green Key family of certified properties.

Together with Bananaquit and Shepherd’s Inn these four properties in Tobago are currently the only Green Key certified sites in the English-Speaking Caribbean. When deciding to become part of the programme.

lEan Mackay, Owner and Manager of Adventure Eco Villas commented that,

‘It seemed to be what we are all about, setting a strong environmental example to others and being a part of the Green Key programme worldwide made real sense as it endorses our sustainable dreams and efforts over the last twenty years.”

“For us the process was straightforward, since our goals are aligned, and the guidance provided was excellent. The Green Key initiative of sustainable tourism is in sync with our aims at Native Abode, so it was very easy for us to get onboard.”

Green Key demonstrates to visitors that tourist accommodation properties have taken steps to protect the environment and reduce their overall negative impacts. It assures guests that their green activities are genuine and real. Green T&T, the National Operator for the Green Key Programme in Trinidad and Tobago, worked closely with both properties to ensure that each operator was able to meet and, in some cases, exceed each of the criteria set forward. The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) has been advocating and empowering local tourism stakeholders to raise the standard and quality of sustainable tourism products.

Director of Product Development and Destination Management, Narendra Ramgulam at TTAL describes it best:

Apart from strong brand positioning, Green Key certification helps tourism establishments to work towards sustainability in a structured way over time - it is phased in its approach and allows property owners time to implement changes annually. It also contributes to the reduction of costs at the tourism establishments, for example through lower energy and water consumption.

While the first four Green Key sites in Tobago are accommodation properties the Green Key standard is applicable to tourism attractions and restaurants as well. The journey has just begun, but Green T&T and TTAL will keep working together to ensure that Tobago continually increases its sustainable choices ensuring the preservation of the island for the future generations of all its travellers and residents alike.

First Hotel on the Faroe Islands completely built according to Green Key standards

The Hotel Brandan in Thorshavn is the first hotel and conference centre on the Faroe Islands to be awarded the Green Key certificate. The newly opened 124-room hotel has completely been built by using the Green Key criteria as a standard.

Sustainably designed Hotel Brandan

Copyright: Hotel Brandan

The construction of the Hotel Brandan can be seen as a demonstrative project for sustainable solutions as the hotel has put all its effort into going the extra mile to protect the environment. Therefore, it has been designed with the inclusion of Faroese culture, architecture, history and products. In case replacements or refurbishments are needed, a thorough assessment of possibilities followed by a conscious effort to incorporate new green measures are made. By doing so, the hotel can ensure to build on its sustainable foundation and work in line with Green Key criteria.

From the beginning of the process of designing the Hotel Brandan, it was important for us to guarantee our guests a green stay in a green destination. As we have a strong Corporate Social Responsibility-Policy, it has, from the beginning, been a natural matter for us to consider environmental responsibility, when building a brand new 4-Star-Superior hotel. The contact with Green Key and their guidance through the provision of a “sustainability checklist” has been very beneficial for us. Particularly, to be able to ensure that our new hotel is as sustainable as possible,

says Hotel Director,  Pætur Trónd Thomsen.

At the same time, the hotel is helping to push for the sustainable development of the archipelago by making green demands on suppliers. For example, due to the efforts of the hotel, a local brewery started to brew an organic beer on tap and a local artist designed beautiful glass jugs so that Faroese water can be served in the Hotel Brandan. In addition to that, all o its 124 rooms have been named after different Faroese landmarks, “varðar”, and been decorated by the local Faroese artist, Edward Fugloy.

Besides that and in line with Green Key criteria, different initiatives are implemented to minimise the waste of food, energy and water and to find solutions to keep the use of plastic at a minimum.

Hotel Director,  Pætur Trónd Thomsen states;

We always try, as much as we can, to support the local community, the local manufacturers and suppliers to strive for a sustainable future, together with them.

The technology and infrastructure on the Faroe Islands also allowed us, to take comprehensive sustainable operations into thought, which made it a natural choice to go in an environmentally friendly way.

As a result, the company’s strategy for future developments is also oriented towards reducing its environmental impacts. For this purpose, the hotels objective is to continuously optimise its routines and procedures, alongside with its products and services. To be able to do so, the hotel came up with different actions and internal regulations such as:

• any new technical installations must be in line with the Green Key mindset,

• all existing and future products must be environmentally friendly

• partnerships are aimed to be together with community organisations working for the environment

• set up of a shared staff suggestion box for eco-friendly ideas.

Finally, the Hotel Brandan focuses on supporting local initiatives like Rudda Føroyar, the Faroese instalment of the World Cleanup Day.  This event brings together local volunteers to free Faroese nature from rubbish and litter. 

Superior Room Hotel Brandan

Bathroom Hotel Brandan

Eco-friendly Fitness Room

Eco-friendly Spa

Restaurant Hotel Brandan

Breakfast at the Hotel Brandan

Bamboo Key Card

Sustainable Bags made out of Waste from Furniture.

Coco Hotel – A new hotel by sustainable restaurant chain Cofoco

The new hotel Coco Hotel in central Copenhagen has been awarded the Green Key. Behind Coco Hotel is a chain of restaurants that is built on a sustainable foundation.

Copyright : Coco Hotel

Coco hotel was opened in Vesterbro, a trendy area of Copenhagen. It includes 90 rooms, and the building was completely renovated for the occasion. The hotel is owned by the Danish restaurant group Cofoco, and is the first hotel to be opened by the group. The Cofoco group already owns 12 restaurants in Copenhagen, all with unique concepts and cuisines.

Sustainable efforts as well as animal welfare are becoming a vital part of their daily business. Among other environmental initiatives, the Cofoco group is self-sufficient with sustainable energy that is generated by the group's own solar park in Northern Jutland.

“Coco Hotel shares Cofoco’s values and there is no doubt about the fact that the hotel’s sustainability efforts are ambitious and valuable.”

— Mikal Holt Jensen, Danish Green Key National Operator

Café Coco mainly serves organic products, and plastic bottles are not to be found in the minibar. All towels and bed linens are made from organic cotton. The building has all new energy– and water-efficient facilities and, like the Cofoco restaurants, the hotel is also supplied with renewable energy from the solar panel park.

You can read more about Coco Hotel by clicking on the following link: https://coco-hotel.com.

Source: Green Key Denmark (https://bit.ly/39BCPVu)

Every fifth hotel in Denmark is green

The Danish tourism organisation, VisitDenmark, recently published a report on sustainability in the hotel industry in Denmark showing that every fifth hotel is a Green Key awarded hotel.

In order for hotels to be awarded with the Green Key, they must fulfill an important number of stringent environmental requirements. The current 142 Green Key awarded hotels account for 20 per cent of all hotels and 40 per cent of all hotel stays in Denmark.

The Green Key eco-label helps tourists choose the most sustainable hotel to spend a night while traveling in Denmark.

“The report is a first step towards getting an overview of what Denmark can offer to those tourists for whom sustainability is an important travel motive”

— VisitDenmark's Analysis Manager Helle Damkjær

In VisitDenmark's latest sustainability analysis, 38 per cent of Germans and 36 per cent of Swedes responded that their travel choices were highly dependent on environmentally friendly and sustainable considerations.

“It is therefore good news that it is now possible to choose from 142 green hotels when you, as a tourist, need to find accommodation in Denmark. This fits well with the government’s ambition for Denmark to be the most sustainable destination.”

— Helle Damkjær

Green Key hotels make an extra effort to protect the environment

Green Key’s international eco-label is given to tourism companies that make extra efforts to protect the environment. Even though the label is present in 60 countries today, it was originally a Danish invention by HORESTA, with whom VisitDenmark collaborated to prepare the report.

In Denmark, Green Key hotels are on average twice the size of other hotels in terms of number of beds and rooms. Most of them are 4-star, located in Copenhagen and attract more business travelers than other hotels.

“Green Key hotels have more business nights than other hotels, and we expect that business nights will increasingly take place at eco-labeled hotels. In addition to that, Green Key has positively contributed to the decrease of the hotel accommodation’s CO2 footprint in the recent years.”

— HORESTA's environmental manager and Green Key National Operator Mikal Holt Jensen

You can access the VisitDenmark´s article and survey by clicking on the following link: https://bit.ly/2xhHi16 (information in Danish).

Source: VisitDenmark

Ramada by Wyndham Amsterdam Airport Schipol awarded Green Key for the first time

Thanks to this award, Ramada Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the first hotel of the German HR Group with Green Key certification in the Netherlands.

On the photo: GM Jan Nieuwenhuis (right), Facility Manager Thomasz Chjecki (middle) and Erik van Dijk (left).

Erik van Dijk, Green Key national operator in The Netherlands overhanded the Green Key certification.

We are very happy with this", says Jan Nieuwenhuis, GM of the hotel. "The policy of HR Group is to have all the hotels certified with Green Key. Our building is 27 years old, it was a challenge to meet the Green Key criteria.

The Responsible Facility Manager, Tomasz Chojecki, is proud that he and his Green Team reached this result. It was a big and successful challenge for this 27 years old building to comply with the Green Key criteria. The hotel staff is still working toward the improvement of the hotel’s eco-friendly technical facilities.

“Hard work with our team, special on the technical demands of Green Key" he explained at the small certification ceremony in the hotel lobby. "I want to thank all my colleagues for their work. We have still challenges on sustainability in future, with Green Key as our guide we know what to do.

Green Key keeps reaching new countries: welcome Suriname!

Green Key is delighted to announce that The Torarica Group is the first company with Green Key awarded establishments in Suriname and South America.

The largest hotel brand in Suriname now counts three Green Key awarded hotel properties. In that way, the Torarica Group provides unprecedented sustainable hospitality and guest experience in its 357 guestrooms. Located in the city of Paramaribo, Torarica Resort & Casino, Eco Torarica and Royal Torarica are offering a breathtaking view of the Suriname River.

The three awarded establishments stretch their imagination regarding sustainable initiatives implemented on the properties. Indeed, they are using eco-friendly takeaway packaging (Styrofoam free) and serving biodegradable eco-friendly straws upon guest request only. The plastic issue is taken very seriously with collection bins placed on all properties to be recycled.

We cannot imagine a world without Green! All steps matter! Go Green! Go Green Key! Caring for our environment is a structural part of our business objectives.” says the Torarica Group’s General Manager, Dave Boucke

Their commitment to sustainability can also be found in the kitchen. The establishments manage to avoid food waste by giving leftovers such as potatoes, vegetables, food and bread waste to the Paramaribo Zoo on a daily basis. Moreover, they are recycling cooking oil to ensure a clean and safe environment by not deposing it into the water or the environment.

They are not outdone neither regarding eco-friendly energy consumption. Initiatives such as the reuse of printed paper, the recycling of used printer cartridges or a paperless guest experience survey involve both guests and staff into the process. LED lighting and water sensors have also been installed around the properties to reduce energy and water consumption. In the guestrooms, an energy saving card activates lights and air conditioning in order not to overconsume energy, and the patio furniture is made from recycled material.

Furthermore, the staff is encouraged to commute to work by carpooling, using public transportation, biking or walking. The Torarica Group Corporate Responsibility connect the establishments with various charity organisations. In that way, they are donating bed linens, bath towels, bedsheets to local hospitals and homeless shelters.

About The Torarica Group

With more than fifty-five years of experience, the Torarica Group is a true Surinamese landmark and stands for unprecedented hospitality and guest experience. Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America bordering French Guyana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south.

Planning your next trip? Please visit torarica.com for ways to connect and make your next hotel reservation: reservations@torarica.com

 Facebook: ToraricaGroup

 Instagram: ToraricaGroup

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel awarded the Green Key eco-label

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel from Rovaniemi has been awarded the Green Key eco-label as the first private hotel in Finnish Lapland.

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is a family-owned hotel, located on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland. The hotel provides a unique blend of luxury comfort in the heart of arctic nature, local traditions and modern Scandinavian design. In contrast to the meticulously designed accommodation and nest-like coziness, the panoramic views from the windows provide impressive spectacles of the surrounding forest and skies. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel has received a great deal of recognition and a number of awards since its opening in late 2016. and will host the upcoming World Luxury Hotel Awards in October 2019.

”We are committed to the values of sustainable tourism,” says Ilkka Länkinen, the CEO of the company. ”We want to ensure that the Rovaniemi area remains a great place to live in and visit in the future as well.”

Ecological values and the Green Key criteria have been kept in mind at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel since the very beginning of its designing and building process. The company has also invested in remarkable renewable energy sources, such as geothermal heating and solar power. The latest investment is the newly installed OptiWatti system for smart energy management that sets the temperatures of the TreeHouses according to their capacity utilization.

”We monitor the strain caused on the environment and do our best to use our resources and energy as efficiently as possible,” Länkinen explains.

The hotel personnel has gotten together on various occasions to do some good for the environment. For example, they recently spent a day planting 10,000 pine tree seedling to the arctic forests.

”Our team has had a very positive and enthusiastic attitude about all of this. We have established an in-house Green Ambassador team that supports the environmental know-how of the rest of the staff and is responsible for executing internal sustainability-related audits, thus increasing our positive hand-print,” Länkinen says.

With its exemplary actions, the hotel is also responding to the growing demand for sustainable and ethically produced services.

”Today’s tourists are more and more aware of environmental issues and make decisions based on their own set of values. We want to develop our experiences with quality as the top priority. And naturally, our aim is also to communicate the principles of resposible travel to our guests,” Länkinen states.

From left to right: Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen (owner, ATHH), Liisa Kokkarinen (manager, regional partnerships, Visit Finland), Ilkka Länkinen (owner, ATHH), Tina Kaikkonen (hotel manager, ATHH), Pirjo Pääkkönen (Green Key ambassador, ATHH)

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel wishes to encourage other local tourism operators to familiarize themselves with the the Green Key programme as well.

”The programme is very comprehensive and clear. It would be great to have even more Green Key certified businesses in Lapland. It would be a way for us all to work together for sustainable development,” Länkinen comments.