Castara Retreats and Hibiscus Heights join the list of certified Green Key establishments in Tobago

Castara Retreats and Hibiscus Heights have recently been added to the list of internationally certified Green Key hotels in Tobago, bringing the total number of certified properties on the island to seven. In addition, Native Abode has achieved its second certification, a remarkable accomplishment. The Green Key programme, implemented by National Operator Green T&T in partnership with the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL), has been instrumental in promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism and hospitality industry.

©Tobago Tourism Agency Limited 

 Coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Green Key is a global voluntary eco-certification programme. The certification process evaluates various aspects of an establishment's operations, including environmental management, energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and other sustainable practices. With over 4,400 certified hotels and establishments across more than 60 countries worldwide, Green Key is recognised as the leading standard for excellence in this field.

The recent certification ceremony took place on November 21st and 22nd, where Castara Retreats, Hibiscus Heights, and Native Abode received their well-deserved Green Key certificates along with plaques and flags that proudly display their commitment to sustainable practices. This celebration marks a significant milestone for Tobago tourism as it prioritises eco-friendly initiatives that benefit visitors and the local environment.

Since 2018, TTAL has invited all tourist sites, accommodations, attractions, and restaurants in Tobago to participate in the programme. Participating sites can receive a comprehensive assessment from Green T&T and work towards meeting the esteemed Green Key standards. The sites are audited, and the Green Key National Jury reviews their applications. Upon achieving full compliance, these sites are awarded Green Key certification for one year. This rigorous process has established Green Key as one of the most reputable eco-labels worldwide, trusted by prominent chains such as Radisson, Marriott, Accor, and Hyatt.

©Tobago Tourism Agency Limited 

The Tobago Tourism Development Limited (TTAL) has issued this statement:

With seven (7) Green Key-certified properties, there are now more accommodation options for the eco-conscious visitor to Tobago. This sets Tobago apart from other countries in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited is committed to promoting the Green Key programme to increase the awareness and adoption of the sustainable practices inherent in the certification.

Together with programs such as the Tobago Recycling Resource Initiative and legislation such as the Waste Management Rules, 2021 and the Wate Management Regulations, 2021, which lay out guidelines for reducing waste generation and exercising environmentally sound management of waste, Tobago is on the way to being more widely known as a destination where sustainable environmental measures are commonplace.

For Castara Retreats, the journey to certification was most impactful, with their sustainable approach supported by staff members and the community. The owner of Castara Retreats, Steve Felgate, cited

Green Key is an excellent validation of priorities that we have been long-term committed to at Castara Retreats. We plan to continue setting and achieving targets year after year and for our passion to protect and enhance the environment to be shared by guests, staff and all our local and international partners. We are super excited to share this journey with others. Our strategy for sustainability, to be published in early 2024, is now our top business priority.

Hibiscus Heights is a small but ambitious accommodation provider that has surpassed many criteria and eagerly anticipates reaping the rewards of its efforts. Owner and Manager of Hibiscus Heights, Mike Walmsley, said,

Technology can offer excellent advantages and help reduce our carbon footprint; as an example, we installed wifi controlled remotes for all our air-conditioning units; this enables us to turn off the units when guests forget and leave on leaving for the day, without having to go into the apartments. We can also reset the temperature any time from an app on the phone, even if we are not on the premises.
The savings are a win, win.

©Tobago Tourism Agency Limited 

Native Abode is well-acquainted with the process and remains enthusiastic about the program. Here's what they had to say:

We have always strived to use our comparative advantage to make current and future gains in our business. This includes producing fruits and vegetables in an organic way, practising energy and water conservation, pre-ordering breakfast to reduce wastage, and using appropriate technology to eliminate printing. Green Key has provided formal recognition of how we do business. So, being Green Key certified means how we do business protects the environment and promotes sustainable prosperity, which resonates well with the growing climate conscious market.

Adventure Eco Villas, Bananaquit Vacations, House of Grace, Tropical Apartments, and Shepherds Inn in Tobago have received Green Key certification. As the National Operator for this programme in Trinidad and Tobago, Green T&T continues to collaborate with hospitality and tourism establishments across both islands to recognise and commemorate their existing sustainable initiatives through participation in the esteemed Green Key programme.

For more information on Green T&T, please visit www.green-tt.org or email greenkey@green-tt.org Telephone contact: 1-868-358-1708.

Increasing presence of Green Key in Colombia reflecting a positive step toward Sustainable Tourism

ACODAL, the Asociación Colombiana de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental is taking over the work as National Operator in Colombia. The main focus areas of the NGO are to promote the development and strengthening of the Water, Sanitation and Environment sectors through national and international representation, the dissemination of knowledge, as well as the management and execution of projects in these areas. The launch of the Green Key programme reflects a significant step towards aligning the country's tourism industry with global sustainable practices. The general shift towards more sustainability in Colombia is also reflected by different hotel chains starting to put more efforts in to the certification of their hotels in the country.  

One of these chains is the Minor Hotel group, international hotel owner, operator and investor with currently more than 530 hotels across the world. Minor Hotels, a growing chain with extensive experience in the hotel market, has excellent locations for business and leisure travellers and is continuously working to achieve its objectives in terms of Sustainability and Social Responsibility. In Colombia, Minor Hotels can now showcase that they are rigorously following their objectives, through the certification of four NH hotels in Bogota:  The NH Collection Bogotá WTC Royal hotel, the NH Collection Bogotá Andino Royal, the NH Collection Bogotá Teleport Royal and the NH Collection Bogotá Hacienda Royal. Minor Hotels’ group will continue its efforts to increase the number of hotels that obtain the certification in 2024. 

NH Collection Bogotà Hacienda Royal

Oscar Restrepo, general manager of the Andean region of the Andean region of Minor hotels, explains in connection to the hotel group's objective of developing a sustainable and responsible business that has a positive impact on the planet.  

“We are very pleased to have obtained Green Key certifications in four of our hotels in Bogota, thanks to the good practices applied in the hotels, which include recycling actions, environmental certifications, energy efficiency, partnerships with third parties to promote green initiatives and training for our employees, among others." 

The NC Collection Bogotà WTC Royal Hotel

Besides that, Accor, one of the largest global hotel chains which has signed a global cooperation agreement with Green Key at the beginning of 2023, is putting more focus on certifying their hotels in Colombia and Latin-America as a whole. As part of their goal of certifying all Accor hotels by 2026, the first two hotels in Colombia, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara and Hotel Boutique Bovedas Santa Clara have been certified with Green Key in December 2023. 

Celebrating the First Green Flag Awarded EcoCampus in Cambodia

In November 2023, the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule became the First EcoCampus in Cambodia and the first vocational hospitality school globally to receive the Green Flag Award.

Just over a year ago, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) joined forces for the Improved Competitiveness of National Enterprises (ICONE) project, which aims to increase sustainable tourism in Cambodia. By leveraging synergies between FEE’s EcoCampus and Green Key programmes, staff from vocational training schools, their students,  personnel and managers from the tourism and hospitality industry in Cambodia, were trained and supported to implement sustainability measures in their corresponding institutions/businesses, including the Green Key certification.

This past June, Green Key International Coordinator and Project Manager, Claudia Bogensperger travelled to Cambodia to participate in a regional conference on sustainability in tourism and to deliver an introductory course on sustainable tourism to three hospitality schools in Cambodia, including the school Ecole d’Hotellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule in Siem Reap.

Founded in 2002, as a project of the nonprofit organisation Formation et Progrès-Cambodge, the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule, has successfully established itself as one of the most renowned vocational schools for hospitality and tourism in Cambodia, having trained over 4,000 Cambodian future tourism professionals.

Last month, FEE’s Senior Director of Education, Pramod Kumar Sharma travelled to Cambodia to award the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule, making it the first EcoCampus in Cambodia and the first vocational hospitality school globally to receive the Green Flag Award. In order to receive the Green Flag Award, EHT Paul Dubrule had to successfully embed sustainability initiatives not only into their curriculum but also into the overall operation of the school. EHT Paul Dubrule is a unique example that illustrates how tourism and hospitality, vocational training and sustainability can successfully work together.

We congratulate the École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule on their achievement and look forward to seeing the further development of the sustainable tourism sector in Cambodia.

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About FEE:

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world’s largest Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 80 countries. With a network of over 60,000 educational institutions, the Eco-Schools, Learning About Forests and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes empower young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning. The Green Key and Blue Flag programmes are globally recognized for promoting sustainable business practices and the protection of natural resources. With over 40 years of impactful experience in ESD, FEE’s strategic plan, GAIA 20:30, prioritises impactful action across all five programmes to address the threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.  

Jet2holidays and Green Key entering global partnership

Green Key is pleased to announce to have entered an official partnership with Jet2holidays, the UK’s largest tour operator.

To ensure that customers can continue to enjoy amazing holidays, Jet2holidays has published its ‘Jet2 Net Zero’ sustainability strategy setting the company on a path to net zero by 2050. To help achieve this goal, Jet2holidays has identified Green Key as one of two preferred international certification programmes.

Green Key is a leading eco-certification programme for hotels and other establishment categories with currently more than 4,800 certified establishments in over 60 countries worldwide. The certification is based on compliance with a strict set of internationally recognised criteria that are regularly controlled for through on-site audits and a subsequent independent third-party verification process. The Green Key programme is managed by the international nonprofit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and its national member organisations across 80 countries.

The announcement is in line with the commitment of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays to become one of the leading brands in sustainable air travel and package holidays.

Thanks to this partnership with Green Key International, over 800 hotels in the Jet2holidays catalogue can now be easily identified as a ‘Certified Sustainable Hotel’. This means that it will be easier for customers interested in more sustainable holidays to find what they are looking for. Furthermore, Jet2holidays is encouraging and supporting more hotels to gain the Green Key certification through a new Sustainable Hotel Charter which they have launched.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “As well as enjoying the award-winning experience of Jet2holidays, customers want to know their holidays are more sustainable. The launch of this cooperation empowers customers and independent travel agents to easily search and book with exactly that in mind. We are seeing more demand for sustainable hotels and, as we work with our hotels to help them become more sustainable through our new system, this collection of sustainable hotels is guaranteed to become even bigger and better. As a responsible airline and tour operator, we have already taken many tangible steps on our journey to reach our sustainability targets and today is the latest example of how we are continuing our work to become more sustainable in the air, on the ground and in resort.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Director of Green Key International adds: “We are pleased to see an increasing interest in the Green Key Certification also from major tour operators. Through our partnership with Jet2holidays, we look forward to having hotels working with Jet2holidays certified with Green Key in order to have more guests enjoying tourism in a sustainable manner.”

Marriott Hotels Reach Milestone in United Kingdom

Throughout the summer of 2023, Marriott International in the United Kingdom achieved a significant milestone as every hotel within the group's managed portfolio obtained Green Key certification.

Hotel Courtyard Exeter Sandy Park

Marriott’s hotels embarked on their Green Key journey several years ago, initiating their commitment to environmentally-conscious properties in the South of England, over time involving those in the midlands and northern England, Wales, Scotland, and the provinces. Now, all 58 properties have gone through the rigorous application and audit process, meeting the standards set by the  Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Joanna Chugh, Area Vice President for UK, Ireland and the Nordics, explains;          

I am so proud of all our hotels’ green champions and their commitment to driving sustainability, which has made this achievement possible.

This achievement establishes Marriott as a leader in sustainable hospitality within the UK. It proudly holds the distinction of being the first global brand to attain this milestone, with all of its managed hotels meeting independently set sustainability criteria.

The portfolio of managed Marriott hotels across the UK varies greatly, from the historic Delta Hotels by Marriott Breadsall Priory Country Club set in 300 acres of private parkland, to the upmarket city centre Glasgow Marriott Hotel and 5-star luxury at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. All Green Key certified establishments can be found on the Green Key interactive sites map.

Emma Whitlock, Green Key National Operator in England, says:

This is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates Marriott's commitment to sustainable operations and environmental education, and also the huge effort from hotel teams to successfully go through the rigorous application and audit process. Congratulations to everyone involved!

1. Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County

2. Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club

3. London Marriott Hotel Kensington

4. Leeds Marriott Hotel

5. Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre

6. Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

7. Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

8. Delta Hotels by Marriott Waltham Abbey

Mercure Bali Legian Achieves Milestone as Indonesia's First Green Key Hotel

Through the adoption of sustainability-focused strategies aligned with established criteria and skillful management of diverse challenges, Mercure Bali Legian proudly stands as the first Green Key certified hotel in Indonesia.

Strategically positioned along Legian's main street and within a short stroll of the famous Kuta and Legian beaches, vibrant nightlife, a plethora of restaurants, and Seminyak's renowned shopping district, Mercure Bali Legian hotel has embraced an environmentally conscious ethos. This is largely due to the exceptional dedication of its staff, who are committed to making a meaningful contribution and revitalising best practices for sustainability.

The Mercure Bal Legian particularly focuses on environmental preservation and is committed to managing the environment sustainably with a holistic system, following programs from the Accor Group and the Green Key criteria. The property engages in a range of initiatives to enhance its environmental performance. These efforts encompass favoring the purchase of local and eco-friendly products, adopting measures to eliminate single-use plastics, incorporating local food and vegetarian options in the menu, waste sorting, collaborating with a foundation to donate surplus food to those in need, and partnering with Urban Compost, a company that ensure that all collected food waste turns into high quality compost through aerobic composting system.

The Mercure Bali Legian actively partners with local communities, authorities, and organisations to promote the development of a sustainable environment. Furthermore, the hotel maintains its dedication to advocating for guests and continuously enhancing eco-friendly practices.

Florent Michaud, the General Manager of Mercure Bali Legian, says:

We are thrilled to be a part of the Green Key Program, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to provide a comfortable experience for our guests while minimising our impact on the environment. Our team has worked diligently to implement sustainable practices throughout our operations, and this recognition serves as a testament to our dedication.

Green Key International Coordinator, Claudia Bogensperger adds:

We at Green Key International are absolutely thrilled that Mercure Bali Legian is our first certified hotel in Indonesia. This achievement is a significant leap forward not only for the hotel but for the entire tourism industry in the country and the broader Southeast Asian region. It showcases a commitment to sustainability that sets a shining example for others to follow.

To learn more about the Mercure Bali Legian, please click here.

Palazzo Ripetta Hotel in Italy obtains the Green Key certification

Good environmental practices in the heart of Rome, capital of Italy, between history, art and zero impact

A few steps from Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino and Via del Corso, in the famous street of the same name, is Palazzo Ripetta, a 5-star hotel where history, art and sustainability come together harmoniously. A story that begins in the 60s of the last century, when the entrepreneur Alberto Ginobbi enhances the cultural value of the historic building by starting an important renovation together with the architect Luigi Moretti.  

Palazzo Ripetta embodies a new concept of hospitality and hospitality: at the center green and sustainability. And to the numerous achievements of more than a century of history, Palazzo Ripetta today adds the achievement of the Green Key certification. The focus is on the choice of totally renewable energy, air conditioning with low environmental impact, on the choice of eco-sustainable materials throughout the hotel.           

The installation of the BMS (Building Management System) service involves an effective and efficient use of energy while minimizing waste. The structure does not use gas, but 100% energy. The percentage of LED lighting is 100% of the total illumination. Each customer has access to their room with an electronic key.  

The cleaning products used have a low environmental impact: ozone stabilized in aqueous solution patented by Tersano, which is a simple and very sustainable system. The use of plastic is reduced to a minimum inside the structure: neither plastic bottles nor cups are used for guests; Strictly glass bottles and containers are preferred with the adoption of the returnable vacuum policy. The stationery products are all strictly green, the laudry bags exclusively in fabric, the collection is differentiated in each room and throughout the hotel. The products are seasonal and come exclusively from the Made in Italy tradition. The proposals to tourists are always zero impact.  

The structure is in constant interaction with the environments and guests, aware and informed about the many eco-friendly activities implemented in the daily management. All Palazzo Ripetta employees are regularly trained on the good sustainability practices chosen and adopted by the hotel. Particular attention is paid to environmental performance through the integration of a systematic and constant working method, which has led to the consequent reduction of the impact on the environment. 

The guidelines are fully met and reflect the environmental values promoted by the Green Key certification.

Ulster University’s Academy Restaurant becomes first in UK and Ireland to be certified with Green Key

Ulster University’s Academy Restaurant becomes the UK and Ireland’s first to achieve the prestigious Green Key certificate, for its commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment.  

Left to Right: Professor Mark Durkin, Lisa Kennedy, Wendy McGuire and Professor Ioannis Pantelidis

Located at its Belfast campus, the Academy Restaurant boasts a state-of-the-art restaurant and kitchens. Academy also serves for culinary and beverage schools, hospitality and food innovation research as well as conference and meeting facilities. As part of the Department for Hospitality and Tourism management at Ulster University Business School its primary purpose is the provision of innovative and immersive education, that enhances students’ skills to prepare them for their future careers. As part of the strategy of educating future leaders of industry, the Academy’s menu showcases local, seasonal ingredients and its operations have a strong focus on sustainability.

To be certified with Green Key, the Academy has met the more than 60 imperative criteria stipulated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and operates to the high environmental standards expected by Green Key. 

Lisa Kennedy, Business Manager at Academy, states:

The team at the Academy are committed to Sustainable Development and aim to bring a balance between meeting the requirements of present day demands in hospitality, while not overlooking the needs of future generations. Obtaining the Green Key certification is a key indicator of our commitment to embedding sustainable practices and providing the future of hospitality with the knowledge to implement them.”  

Academy has implemented many sustainable practices and actions to reduce its environmental impact including: 

• Working towards zero-waste by reducing disposable paper food waste during the meal production and consumption processes. The restaurant is also trialling paperless menus, electronic production of receipts and digitalisation of marketing materials. 

• Sourcing food locally to reduce its carbon miles and informing about the carbon footprint / food miles of their meals. It also hosts low-carbon food themed events as well as vegan and vegetarian menus.  

• Using technology that is energy-efficient and installing water-saving appliances.

• Hosting training programmes for suppliers and other industry stakeholders as well as practical sustainability education in the Academy. 

• Academy is committed to creating a sustainability literacy workshop programme and becoming an industry leader in this area. 

Claudia Bogensperger, International Green Key Coordinator at FEE, explains:

For us at Green Key International, it is a great pleasure to certify the Academy Restaurant at the Ulster University as our first Green Key restaurant in the UK and Ireland! The team of the Academy Restaurant has done an incredible job in implementing our sustainability standards in their establishment, and we are proud to welcome them to our network!”

If you would like to find out more about the Academy Restaurant’s commitment to sustainability, please visit the Academy Restaurant website. 

Media contact: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk    
Academy contact: Lisa Kennedy   
Email: l.kennedy@ulster.ac.uk  
Academic contact: Dr Susann Power  
Email: s.power@ulster.ac.uk 

First Green Key certified hotels in the Seychelles

In a groundbreaking achievement for both, the hotels and the tourism industry of the Seychelles, the STORY Seychelles Resort and Fisherman’s Cove Resort are the first hotels on the island to receive the prestigious Green Key certification, marking a significant milestone in sustainable tourism.

Photo credit: Fisherman’s Cove Resort

The neighboring resorts on the well-known Beau Vallon Beach in Mahe, Seychelles, the Fisherman’s Cove Resort and STORY Seychelles Resort have achieved Green Key certification. The certificate marks the unwavering dedication to eco-conscious practices of the resorts and establishes them as trailblazers in advocating responsible tourism in the region.

Jelena Ognjenović, Cluster General Manager, explains:

We are thrilled and honored to be the first hotels in Seychelles to receive this remarkable certification. This milestone signifies our dedication to lead by example in sustainable tourism and preserve the pristine beauty of our island for generations to come.

Since 2021, the Fisherman’s Cove Resort, rooted in history since 1943, has transitioned into a sustainability beacon under the STORY Hospitality Group.

Len Jackson, Cluster PR & Marketing Manager states:

After the rebranding in 2021, we adopted a significant policy shift in how we manage the resort with a keystone indicator encompassing sustainability. Green Key has provided us with useful knowledge, insight and learning on best practices.

Photo credit: STORY Seychelles Resort

The STORY Seychelles and Fisherman’s Cove Resort have introduced a range of innovative eco-friendly initiatives, including energy-efficient lighting, water conservation programs, waste reduction strategies, and the support of local environmental projects. This achievement solidifies its position as a leader in combining luxury with sustainability.

Len Jackson, Cluster PR & Marketing Manager states;

Sustainability is not a once off fix or quick check list. It requires resources, commitment, passion, and dedication. STORY Seychelles chose to align with Green Key due to several factors that included a robust criterion reflecting current push factors; its auditing process and benchmarking; and the global trust in the brand.

The dual recognition underscores the resorts’ commitment to reducing their environmental footprint while providing guests with an exceptional, eco-friendly experience. Together, they contribute to Seychelles’ diverse hospitality landscape, embodying a harmonious blend of history and modern sustainability.

If you would like to read more about the two establishments, please click the links below.

Beach Resorts & Villas in Seychelles / Story Seychelles

Beach Resort & Villas in Seychelles / Fisherman’s Cove Resort