Hotels across the central belt certified with Green Key

Four hotels located in Edinburgh and Glasgow have obtained the coveted international Green Key eco-certificate following audits by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful. 

The establishments successful in meeting the Green Key criteria all demonstrated their sustainability credentials and a commitment to improving environmental practices against 13 set criteria areas.   

The certified hotels include:  

• Novotel Edinburgh Park 

• Motel One Glasgow 

• Motel One Edinburgh-Princes 

• Motel One Edinburgh-Royal 

The CEO of the National Operator for the Green Key programme in Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Barry Fisher, said:

“I’d like to congratulate all the newly accredited Green Key establishments. They join a prestigious collection of others in Scotland, leading the way in sustainable tourism, and join a family of thousands globally.  

It’s particularly encouraging to see Motel One locating key hotels in city centre locations promoting sustainable travel and using local produce, such as cheeses, milk, and crisps, where possible. 

Additionally, the ‘Go Green, Skip the Clean’ Accor initiative used by Novotel allows guests to collect points on loyalty cards for opting out of the in-room cleaning service if staying for two days or more.  

Both hotel groups are trialling innovative initiatives to increase their sustainability credentials, which is heartening to see.” 

As part of the Green Key accreditation process tourism establishments are offered a comprehensive in-person audit of premises and additional support to help achieve year-on-year environmental improvements and reduce climate-change-causing greenhouse gas emissions. From energy use in hotel rooms and laundry to food waste in kitchens, to how employees work day-to-day - all are areas where advice is offered through the audit process.  

A Green Key audit also provides access to advice on how to make financial savings, such as through more efficient use of energy and resources - vital with the current high level of operating costs.  

Green Key is a way to help businesses showcase their green credentials to a large pool of environmentally conscious consumers. 

Ciprian Uivarosan, Operations Manager at Novotel, said:  

“At Novotel Edinburgh Park, the Green Key accreditation symbolises our dedication to offering guests an elevated hospitality experience that champions sustainability. Your stay with us isn't just a getaway — it's an opportunity to indulge in comfort while supporting our eco-friendly initiatives.” 

Member of the National Green Key Jury, Riddell Graham, commented:

“My congratulations go to the newly eco-certified Green Key sites. It is great to see new hotels coming forward to join the international Green Key family with inspiring and innovative solutions to the challenges they face.   

I would encourage tourism establishments across Scotland to use the framework as a pathway to environmental excellence and sustainable operation and look forward to seeing more applications come to the jury for consideration this year.” 

Green Key certifies a wide range of establishments including hotels, visitor attractions, conference centres, campsites, and restaurants, and helps them meet global environmental standards recognised by the UN Tourism, (previously known as the UN World Tourism Organisation).

Applications for Green Key certification in Scotland receive third-party verification from an independent Green Key National Jury. 

Find out more about how to apply for Green Key on the Green Key webpages. 

Sustainable tourism in Kuwait develops along with the Green Key programme

Under Kuwait Water Association as the new Green Key National Operator for Kuwait, two hotels have received the Green Key certification. 

Kuwait Water Association has recently started the national management of the Green Key Programme in Kuwait. As a pioneering achievement for the hospitality industry in Kuwait, two hotels under the national management have now received the Green Key certification: Waldorf Astoria, one of the luxury hotels in the country, followed by Hyatt Regency Al Kout, a prominent five stars hotel. 

This accolade is a testament to both hotels’ unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, setting a new benchmark for twining luxury and sustainability. 

Kuwait Water Association had the pleasure to hand over the certification to both hotels during two in-house ceremonies: Waldorf Astoria on 12 February 2024 and Hyatt Regency Al Kout on 13 February 2024. All celebrated this prestigious accomplishment in joyful ambiance. 

Both hotels gathered their teams, acknowledged their efforts in meeting all the imperative criteria set by the Green Key programme and proudly endorsed the adoption of more environmentally friendly attitudes in the hotels’ daily operations as well as with the guest communications.  

Mr. Kamal Sirtikirmizi, the GM of Waldorf Astoria underlined the role of the hotel as a pioneer in integrating luxury with sustainable practices and insured that by earning the Green Key certificate, the hotel not only champions environmental responsibility but also encourages others in the tourism industry to follow suit.  

“I worked with that team on the Green Key criteria for sustainability, resources conservation, and environmental education; and I found a highly dedicated group, working hard, in harmony, tackling these tasks seriously and professionally so that the hotel can meet the standards and get the Green Key, this prestigious certification:

This is excellency in dedication and loyalty to their workplace” summarised the National Operator of Green Key in Kuwait while handing over the Green Key Certificate.

Also, Mr. Walid Al Awadly, the GM of Hyatt Regency Al Kout proudly announced that Green Key certification reflects the hotel's philosophy of blending opulent experiences with a profound respect for the planet, showcasing that luxury and sustainability can coexist beautifully. 

The Green Key National Operator congratulated Hyatt Regency Al Kout: “I could feel this belief, this vibrant passion in applying all those environmental guidelines that add to the luxury services provided by the hotel, a tint of respect and responsibility towards nature.

Everybody was involved, really racing against time to learn, perform, incorporate, accomplish, and lead the change towards a more responsible lifestyle.

And congratulations, you succeeded in a record time!”

Eco-transformed 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian gets the Green Key certificate

The stately hotel with a twist has proven its dedication to creating not only the friendliest and most unique, but also sustainable experiences, by obtaining the Green Key certificate.  

The magnificent building at Bahnhofplatz 1 is where the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian finds its place in Munich, Germany. The site has got a truly rich history: only in the last century, it served as the postal service and a royal telegraph station. Located at the heart of the city, where Munich is at its rawest, most urban, and vibrant, now it has transformed into the meeting point for many eager travellers and city explorers.  

As many as 165 rooms await the guests, with room categories ranging from Small to Extra Large. Along with the Swan and Peacock Suites, they are all specifically designed to be cozy sanctuaries inspired by different worlds. In the heart of the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, there is the restaurant NENI and the Aperitivo Bar. Right there the guests gather to taste flavourful dishes, influenced by different cuisines from all around the world. And if one wishes to socialise and meet fellow travellers, The Boilerman Bar on the 1st floor is the place to be.  

“As a hotel, we are committed to our environmental responsibility and are continuously taking steps to make our 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian as eco-friendly as possible”.  

  As part of their promotion of more sustainable tourism experiences, 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian offers bike rental to its guests: 

“We’re absolutely convinced: the best way to explore Munich is on wheels. That’s why we’re determined to offer our guests the city’s coolest speedsters – the bikes from our friends at Schindelhauer.” 

 Also, the sustainable products from the Swiss beauty brand Soeder have found their way into the 25hours hotel group. All hotel guests can enjoy natural body soaps, hair shampoos, and hand and body lotions from Soeder, available in the rooms and the 25hours Things Shops.  

“And have you heard about Aktion Baum already? This organisation that we are partners with has a mission to pave the way for sustainable, efficient tree planting projects and to nurture healthy woodlands. 25hours has supported Aktion Baum's tree-planting projects in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland since 2022. Guests who forgo room cleaning while staying at a 25hours hotel can actively help the projects to succeed. Moreover, 25hours has provided direct help with planting.” 

“The Royal Bavarian's Green Key certification is more than a gold star; it's a green star, twinkling in the eco-night! We are more than happy about this certification.”

Swisstainable recognises Green Key as a leading sustainability credential in Switzerland

Green Key has now become officially classified as one of the highest-level proofs of sustainability within the Swisstainable programme. This recognition gives the Green Key programme yet another opportunity to support and contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism sector in Switzerland.

Lago di Saoseo © Switzerland Tourism / Nicola Fuerer

Led by the national Swiss Tourism Federation in collaboration with Switzerland Tourism, Swisstainable encourages and promotes sustainable tourism in Switzerland to both tourists and tourism service providers. The distinctive Swisstainable emblem improves the tourists' experience in the country by simplifying the process of searching for and choosing sustainable tourism operators. With multiple sustainability labels and eco-certificates present in Switzerland, Swisstainable thoroughly revises the criteria and quality standards of all of them. Only those programmes that fully satisfy multiple and strict requirements can become an approved credential for Swisstainable.

Green Key has been acknowledged as one of the leading standards of sustainability, joining a select group of certification programmes that comply with the most rigorous, Swisstainable level III – leading, requirements.

Becoming a level III – leading sustainability credential of Swisstainable signifies that all currently certified Green Key sites in Switzerland can apply and qualify for the highest level of Swisstainable status.

Showcasing their commitment to sustainability, Swiss tourism service providers with the Green Key certificate can join the Swisstainable network of sustainable tourism businesses from all over the country.   

Green Key is delighted to offer this opportunity to the Green Key establishments in Switzerland, as well as to be able to support another sustainability programme that focuses on empowering the tourism industry.

Read more on the Swisstainable sustainability programme here.

Find more details on participating in the Swisstainable sustainability programme as a tourism service provider in Switzerland here.

Green Key and Ecolab x Lobster Ink: harnessing the power of online training

From managers to frontline staff, the whole hotels’ team play a pivotal role in implementing sustainability initiatives, making it crucial to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills. Understanding this imperative, Green Key has partnered with Ecolab and Lobster Ink, an esteemed online training provider, to create impactful online sustainability training tailored for hotels teams.

Green Key's dedication to promoting sustainable practices aligns seamlessly with Lobster Ink's expertise in delivering high-quality online training. This collaboration aims to educate and inspire individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices, ultimately driving positive change within their workplaces.

The training content developed by Green Key and Lobster Ink encompasses a series of 4 concise yet comprehensive modules that cover various aspects of sustainability pertinent to the hospitality industry. Addressing managers and frontline staff, these courses give practical insights on the importance of planning and communicating sustainability, on how to prompt waste reduction, energy conservation and responsible consumption.

The content is designed to be adaptable, acknowledging the diverse operational contexts within different hotels. Whether it's a boutique hotel or a large chain, the flexibility of the courses ensures that the acquired knowledge can be readily applied in day-to-day operations, making a tangible impact on sustainability practices.

As part of FEE, the core value of Green Key is education. Since its development in 1994, Green Key offers supports and believes in the importance of empowering frontline teams in hotels with sustainability training, as this extends beyond the immediate workplace. When individuals learn to implement eco-friendly practices within their roles, they become ambassadors for sustainability in their communities. Their influence extends to guests, suppliers, and fellow colleagues, creating a ripple effect that amplifies the reach of sustainable initiatives far beyond the confines of the hotel premises. 

The partnership between Green Key and Ecolab & Lobster Ink signifies a proactive approach towards fostering sustainability in the hospitality industry. By harnessing the power of online training, they empower the hotel teams to become catalysts for change, driving the adoption of sustainable practices and shaping a more environmentally conscious future for hotels and beyond. 

About Lobster Ink

Lobster Ink, a division of Ecolab, delivers performance-driven training for frontline employees across the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries. Our award-winning Hospitality Excellence Learning Library, custom content production capability and enterprise-class training platform offer a turn-key training solution that’s trusted by the world’s most remarkable brands.

For more information visit www.lobsterink.com. 

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that help protect people, planet and business health. With annual sales of $13 billion and more than 47,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, help maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world.

For more information visit www.ecolab.com.

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.

---

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.”