All Center Parcs parks in Europe are Green Key certified

24 Centre Parcs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France, as well as three Sunparks parks (operated by Center Parcs in Belgium), are now awarded the Green Key. This is an important milestone for the company that has thereby demonstrated its commitment to saving the environment while maintaining guests' comfort and quality.

De Kempervennen, the Netherlands

At the end of 2019, all parks in France, Germany, eight Dutch parks and five in Belgium were Green Key certified. Now comes the certification of the Belgian park Center Parcs Les Ardennes and the Dutch Center Parcs Parc Sandur.

According to Erwin Dezeure, CSR director Center Parcs Europe, the certification shows that Center Parcs is progressive in terms of sustainability and social engagement:

I am extremely proud that all our parks in Europe are Green Key certified. Achieving this certificate was our goal for 2022, but our parks have already achieved this two years earlier. This certification is a wonderful recognition of the many "green deeds" in our parks and a reflection of the sustainable ambitions of Center Parcs.

For example, on 1 January 2020, we said goodbye to disposable plastic and all the electricity in our parks is green. Smart thermostats and efficient showerheads in our cottages also ensure significant energy savings. Our CO2 footprint has decreased by more than 50% compared to 2010. Moreover, with a biodiversity plan for each park, we focus on a good mix so that people and nature are in complete balance with each other.

Erwin Dezeure and Paul Renders, Center Parcs

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds:

We are very happy that a leading player such as Center Parcs is joining Green Key on a European level. In all its holiday parks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France, Center Parcs shows how seriously it takes people, hospitality, climate and environmental awareness. That is a result the company can be extremely proud of and from which all guests and the environment of the parks benefit. We hope that Center Parcs also inspires other establishments to reduce their environmental impact.

Excellent score on sustainability

Center Parcs was the first company in the recreation sector to meet the ISO 14001 and 50001 standards. After the audits, 27 certified parks now also meet Green Key's strict standards in terms of sustainability, the environment and corporate social responsibility. This includes environmental standards such as registering and saving on the use of gas, water and electricity and reducing the amount of (residual) waste. Moreover, the parks score very well on many optional criteria. These standards include, for example, sustainable measures such as the use of alternative pesticides, the provision of organic dishes in restaurants and organic products in supermarkets and the minimal use of mono-packaging. This also includes energy and water-saving measures that Center Parcs has taken in the Aqua Mundo, its activities to support disadvantaged people in the labour market and its cooperation with civil society organisations.

Strong reputation for sustainability

Center Parcs distinguishes itself through all kinds of activities for every family member in the middle of nature. They not only take care of nature but also of people: guests, employees and the community. Center Parcs works together with organisations that bring people and nature together, such as the World Wildlife Fund, to better pass on the planet to future generations. In addition, various animal species can be found in the parks and Center Parcs uses far fewer chemicals in its subtropical Aqua Mundo swimming pools than in regular swimming pools. Center Parcs brings people closer together, but also closer to nature. This is expressed in various initiatives within the "Good and Green Deeds" of Center Parcs.

Bispinger Heide, Germany

About Center Parcs Europe

For over 50 years, Center Parcs has been an expert in nature vacations throughout the year. As the founder of the short holiday close to home, Center Parcs has set a new standard in the recreation sector but also wants to continue to surprise its guests in the future. She does this by continuing to innovate and setting a new standard in the coming years in experience, stay and really being together. Center Parcs is characterized and distinguished by the countless activities for every family member because it is only really a vacation when everyone is having a good time, then you are really together.

Center Parcs Europe is part of Pierre et Vacances Center Parcs Group. Center Parcs owns 27 European parks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. 5 million guests were received in 2018-2019 and the company achieved a turnover of 768 million euros.

For more information, please visit www.centerparcs.nl.

New national management of Green Key in Iceland

The organisation Vottunarstofan Tún has become an affiliate member of the Foundation for Environmental Education and will take over the management of the Green Key programme in Iceland

Tún is a well-known organisation in Iceland working as an inspection and certification body for organic and sustainable production and services, including tourism services. Tún will now also be in charge of the national administration of the Green Key programme in Iceland.

Two Icelandic hotels already have the Green Key certification: Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel Saga, and the number of Icelandic establishments participating in the Green Key programme is expected to increase during 2020.

Gunnar Á. Gunnarsson, managing director of Tún, the Icelandic Green Key National Operator, says: “The Green Key is an internationally respected certification scheme of high quality. It is an exciting challenge to be entrusted with its management in Iceland, a country which increasingly relies on verified environmental credentials for future economic and social wellbeing. We look forward to working with FEE and other relevant stakeholders to develop the Green Key in Iceland and we are optimistic that a growing number of Icelandic businesses will realize its benefits.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director, adds: “We are very happy to have an experienced organisation like Tún in charge of the administration of the Green Key programme in Iceland. Iceland is a country with amazing natural beauty and it is crucial that the hospitality industry contributes to the sustainable development in Iceland through a programme like Green Key.”

For more information about Green Key in Iceland, please contact the Green Key National Operator, Vottunarstofan Tún, c/o Mr Gunnar Á. Gunnarsson, phone: +354 511 1330 and e-mail: tun@tun.is.

First Green Key awarded hotel in Zambia!

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka is the first Green Key awarded establishment in Zambia, raising the number of participating countries to 65!

No matter if you are visiting Lusaka for business or to explore the wildlife in the nearby national parks, you can now base your stay in a Green Key awarded establishment. The Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka has proven that the local community and environment are their top priority.

Since the hotels’ opening in 2012, it has been focused on driving Radisson Hotel Group’s three Responsible Business Pillars; Think Planet, Think People and Think Community.

To give examples of their responsible business initiatives, the hotel is to a 100% equipped with energy-saving light bulbs, uses solar heating for the water boilers in guest rooms and separates single dose shampoos and body wash so that they can be recycled into packaging material again. Furthermore, the establishment has recently supported Zambia’s ‘Plant A Million’ tree- planting initiative and supports the local SOS Children’s Village with training and employment. Each year, 12 interns are employed each year from the SOS Children’s Village. In addition, they are donating food to the SOS Children’s Village as well. Beyond that, used linen is donated to local charity organisations.

Moreover, the hotel also supports local coffee farmers by buying their coffee for use in the hotel.

“We are thrilled to continue spearheading the hotel landscape in Zambia, not only in terms guest service, but also in terms of our sustainability as well as safety and security measures and efforts. We strive to provide a space which is environmentally-conscious and safe, placing our guests minds at ease for a memorable stay,” said Johan Klang, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka.

Green Key is happy to welcome the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka in the programme!

Learn more about the hotel here

Green Key now has a National Operator in Colombia

La Asociación Colombiana de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental (ACODAL) has decided to launch Green Key in Colombia

ACODAL became a member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 2018, and the organisation has successfully implemented FEE’s Blue Flag programme for beaches in Colombia. Now ACODAL has decided to launch Green Key as its second FEE programme.

Four hotels located in the capital of Bogotá belonging to the NH Hotel Group have had the Green Key award since November 2019 (see: https://www.greenkey.global/stories-news-1/2019/11/20/first-green-key-awarded-establishments-in-colombia) and the management of these four hotels will be transferred to ACODAL.

Roxana-Paola Nieto, Green Key National Operator, says: “ACODAL is very proud to launch Green Key at the national level here in Colombia, and we encourage any hotel or other tourism facilities eligible for Green Key to contact us for more information about the programme.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds: “There is an increasing demand for Green Key in Latin America, and we are happy to have ACODAL as our representative in Colombia”.

For more information about Green Key in Colombia, please contact Roxana-Paola Nieto via e-mail banderaazul@acodal.org.co or phone +57-3118011125.

21 Nettleton first Green Key awarded boutique hotel in South Africa!

21 Nettleton attains their Green Key Award from WESSA, becoming South Africa’s first boutique hotel to achieve this accolade for its efforts in sustainability.

Dirk Jacobs of 21 Nettleton receiving their Green Key Award from Roxanne Dovey of WESSA, at 21 Nettleton.

An exciting partnership between the WESSA and 21 Nettleton has resulted in the private boutique hotel in Clifton, Cape Town being awarded the prestigious Green Key award. Green Key is a well-established global tourism industry ecolabel which recognises excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operations. Sustainability is a core focus of 21 Nettleton’s operations. The boutique hotel were able to comply with the highest environmental management standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

21 Nettleton has been described as the ‘epitome of elegance and luxury’. WESSA, with its continual focus on environmental education and development, is pleased to support the property on its sustainable journey – proving that it is possible to become sustainable without compromising on comfort and quality.

On 21 Nettleton’s Green Key award, Roxanne Dovey, Green Key National Coordinator at WESSA said “the property has set an excellent sustainability standard for boutique hotels in the country and we are very proud of the steps they have taken to meet this global standard”.

On receiving the award, Dirk Jacobs, Curator of 21 Nettleton said:

“At 21 Nettleton we have always been mindful about the impact which we have on the environment. For years I have listened to the travel trade green-wash their environmentally consciousness claims – it has become more of a trend than anything else. We wanted to have our establishment verified for its environmental efforts and we are hoping that Green Key will become the accepted standard in South Africa that it is in Europe.”

Jacobs concluded with his vision for the South African Sustainable Tourism Industry, “Due to South Africa being a long-haul destination for international travelers, it should start with us taking the extra effort to help offset the carbon footprint left behind by our guests. I hope to see less green-washed talk at trade shows and more evidence of verified sustainability programmes and initiatives.”

Green Key implements new ways of looking at the operations of tourism establishments and promotes the development of sustainable and responsible tourism through strict and progressive criteria. It is currently implemented in 66 countries, with 3 100 certified establishments. WESSA is the National Operator for this prestigious international eco-label in South Africa.

It is WESSA’s vision to grow the Green Key label throughout South Africa, and together with other reputable eco-labels, ensure that South Africa becomes one of the most recognised sustainable tourism destinations in the world.

21 Nettleton, Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa.

Purezza and Green Key enter collaboration agreement

Green Key has signed a cooperation agreement with Purezza Premium Water aimed at promoting the use of filtered tap water and reducing the use of plastic bottles.

Purezza Premium Water, part of the global Waterlogic Group, provides high-quality sustainable water dispensing solutions to more than 8,000 restaurants, cafés and hotels globally. Purezza’s leading technologies allows these businesses to utilise their own locally-sourced water supply to offer high quality, on-demand, cold or ambient, sparkling or still water to their customers in refillable glass bottles. These solutions are tastier, healthier, cleaner, more economical and socially responsible than traditional single-use plastic bottled water. Purezza is well progressed on achieving its target of removing 30 million single-use bottles annually from the global hospitality supply chain, while at the same time providing high quality, sustainable products and services to its customers that positively impact their bottom line.

Scott Mitchell, Global Head of Purezza, says:

“Our partnership with Green Key is an important and significant development for our brand. To partner with an organisation that so passionately shares our vision of sustainability in the hospitality sector is exciting, and we look forward to working with them to make a more sustainable future for our industry”.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds:

“We are happy to enter the agreement with Purezza. We share the ambitions of promoting the use of on-site drinking water while reducing the production and transportation of water in single-use plastic bottles that subsequently have to be treated as plastic waste.”

When respect for nature leads to sustainable practices

Dolce by Wyndham La Hulpe Brussels is a 4-star superior hotel surrounded by 72 ha of forest which has been a source of inspiration for the hotel to introduce a range of sustainable practices.  

©Dolce by Wyndham La Hulpe Brussels

Since its first Green Key award in 2011, the hotel continuously adds new green initiatives thanks to its Green Committee made of motivated and volunteer team members from all departments proposing new ideas to reduce the ecological footprint of the hotel.

‘Guests and team members have the privilege of being face-to-face with nature all day long.  This nourishes the desire and willing of reducing the hotel’s ecological footprint.’ explains Erik Jansen, Area General Manager – Managed Hotels at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

©Dolce by Wyndham La Hulpe Brussels

Some of the green initiatives of the Hotel include:

• 1067 photovoltaic panels

• a water-treatment plant recycling the hotel’s used water

• the spa uses products made of organic or natural ingredients

• the restaurants offer seasonal and local products for breakfast, lunch and dinner

• selection of suppliers proposing attractive team building and leisure activities in the forest respecting nature

• 10 charging points for electric vehicles

• Shower gel and shampoo presented in dispensers and biodegradable packaging

©Dolce by Wyndham La Hulpe Brussels

How can tourism ecolabels contribute to more sustainable consumption?

Last week, Green Key’s International Coordinator Isabel Lissner represented the Foundation for Environmental Education in an expert panel discussion to share best practice examples of how tourism can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. She focused on how tourism ecolabels can contribute to SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production.

At this year’s tourism fair FITUR in Madrid, Isabel Lissner was invited to share FEE’s contribution to the achievement of the SDGs in tourism. Isabel has represented FEE in the Affiliate Members Department of the UNWTO’s working party on SDG support since spring 2019. The working party has developed a survey for the tourism industry to evaluate which SGDs are being tackled and which require more attention by tourism stakeholders. The ultimate goal of the working party on SDG support is to collect and disseminate best practice examples that can be easily adopted in different geographical areas and contexts.

At the panel discussion, representatives of IUF-UITA-IUL, the World Leisure Organisation, Chameleon Strategies, FITUR Next, Hosteling International, IATA, NH Hotel Group and FEE were present to share their experiences on specific SDGs. Isabel Lissner talked about SDG 12 – Sustainable Production and Consumption – and how tourism ecolabels can contribute to the achievement of this goal.

She explained that ecolabels like Green Key are a tool for the awarded businesses to monitor their consumption, as many certification programmes ask for annual or monthly water and energy consumption data, for example. The programmes then help the businesses analyse the data and provide tools and guidelines to optimise consumption. In addition, ecolabels encourage their awarded establishments to make more sustainable choices - for example by purchasing local products or those that have a smaller environmental footprint such as organic or fair-trade alternatives.

Furthermore, she explained that ecolabels support sustainable consumption on the traveller’s side. They increase the visibility of sustainable businesses and help consumers distinguish between those that only claim to be green and those that went through a proper accreditation process to prove that they are, in fact, operating sustainably. In addition, ecolabels help consumers adopt more responsible behaviour in the destination they are visiting. Various studies, such as the one from Booking.com, revealed that travellers want to be more sustainable. At the same time, however, they do not seem to be familiar with tourism ecolabels and do not know how to travel more responsibly.

She concluded that there is still an attitude-behaviour gap among travellers but also among businesses, as the low number of awarded establishments worldwide proves. So, while tourism ecolabels have big potential to support sustainable consumption, there are still some barriers that need to be overcome.

She explained that, mainly, certification bodies need to become better at proving the effectiveness of their ecolabels to show businesses that the costs of implementing an ecolabel do pay off. Secondly, certification bodies, tour operators and booking and destination marketing agencies need to better promote ecolabels to raise customer awareness. Establishments will only be willing to invest in an ecolabel if they feel a customer demand for it. Thirdly, the vast number of existing ecolabels is confusing for both businesses and travellers. As there are a lot of less serious ecolabels on the market, it is important for ecolabels to be transparent and verified by a third-party.

The panelists from left to right: Emilio Ferrero Lopez (IUF-UITA-IUL), Cristina Ortega Nuere (World Leisure Organisation), Jens Thraenhart (Chameleon Strategies), Amb. Ion Vilcu (Director of the UNWTO Affiliate Members Department), Mara Balestrini (FITUR Next), Brianda Lopez (Hosteling International), Yue Huang (IATA), Isabel Lissner (Green Key), Marta Martín (NH Hotel Group), Roxana Ashtari (Project Specialist, UNWTO Affiliate Members Department)

Green Key at the "I Meet Hotel" Conference discussing climate emergency and hospitality

On 15 January 2020, Green Key gave a keynote speech at the “I Meet Hotel Conference - Istanbul Edition” about how Green Key can support the hospitality industry in the face of the climate emergency.

I Meet Hotel is the first global industry event connecting hoteliers to the future of hospitality through insightful conferences. The Istanbul I Meet Hotel event was held at the luxurious Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel and was attended by 150 hospitality and travel professionals.

Green Key was represented by Mr Murat Yigitol, the General Manager of TURCEV, the Turkish member organisation of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). He participated in a panel discussion about sustainability in hospitality titled "Climate Emergency and Hospitality: are you on track?" The multi-discipline panel consisted of experts in education, engineering and tourist behaviour.

The focus of the panel discussion was tackling the climate emergency from a hospitality perspective. As the effects of climate change become more visible and begin to impact the world's population, it is vital for the hospitality industry to take concrete actions toward becoming more environmentally responsible. Travellers and consumers are also becoming more environmentally conscious and beginning to demand sustainability from hospitality businesses. Mr. Yigitol presented Green Key as a tool that the hospitality industry can use to adapt to the climate emergency situation.