Milan's Excelsior Hotel Gallia Certified by Green Key: Embracing Milan's Duality with Traditional and Modern Elegance

A splendid example of belle époque architecture, Milan's centrally located Excelsior Hotel Gallia boasts 235 luxuriously appointed rooms, including over 50 suites, making it a true icon in the city. Each room reflects and enhances the refined Milanese aesthetic, featuring handcrafted and modern design details from prestigious local ateliers. 

Situated in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, right next to Central Station, a bustling hub of business and trade, the hotel was founded in 1932 by the Milanese Gallia family and has long held a place among Italy's most prestigious hotels. The interiors evoke the Milanese lifestyle and timeless elegance of the Arte Deco era, showcasing custom-made furnishings by Italy's top designers and craftsmen, alongside over 500 works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs. 

The facility comprises two buildings: a meticulously restored historic building and a new modern wing with steel and glass curtain walls. The lobby pays homage to Milanese architecture of the 1930s, reminiscent of La Scala Theater, Villa Necchi Campiglio, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Welcoming guests is a majestic chandelier at the entrance, a 30-meter high cascade of 180 cylinders in Murano glass that illuminates the entire historic staircase across its seven-story height. 

 As part of the Luxury Collection brand of the Marriott International chain, the Excelsior Gallia in Milan embodies the city's two souls: the traditional one, narrating Milan and its history, the entrepreneurial and hotel vocation of the Gallia family, and the modern one, reflecting a Milan at the forefront of finance and trends. The hotel's third soul, the green one, is now certified by Green Key, an international program for sustainable tourism hospitality recognized by UNESCO. 

Ongoing green initiatives at the hotel focus on sustainability and continuous performance improvement. Effective communication management internally, directed towards staff, and externally, towards guests, aims to generate awareness and involvement in adopting good practices for daily life. Information in multiple languages about the hotel's sustainability program is available in all rooms. The facility is committed to eliminating plastic, with the goal of becoming plastic-free in the medium term. All lighting is LED, and home automation is integrated into the hotel. 

This year, the Milanese facility is made even more special with light sculptures by artist Marco Lodola. Gallia Bar & Lounge along with Terrazza Gallia with its panoramic view, offers a journey to discover the gastronomic excellence of different Italian regions. In line with Green Key criteria, the hotel boasts a wide range of local and certified food and beverages, with homemade offerings using local, organic, and vegetarian/vegan products. 

Marriott hotels, including many already Green Key certified, are aligning with the green goals sought by today's increasingly conscious and sustainability-aware tourists. The Excelsior Hotel Gallia in Milan, with its commitment to excellence in tourist hospitality, luxury, comfort, and international vocation, can now proudly include sustainable hotel management among its accolades. 

22 Accor hotels in Mexico to receive the Green Key certificate

On February 7th, 2024, at ibis Mexico Alameda, 22 Accor hotels participated in the Green Key certification ceremony. As a result, 80% of its establishments in Mexico are now officially certified, with the remaining 20% in the process.

The Presidium was made up of Mauro Rial, Chief Operations Officer of Accor Hotels, and Joaquín Arturo Díaz Ríos, CEO of FEE Mexico, with Javier López, Vice President of Operations for Accor in Mexico, Central America, and Cuba, as master of ceremonies for the event.

In the first instance, Joaquín Arturo Díaz Ríos emphasised: "Green Key is a complex programme to operate at the beginning because it requires a great effort and commitment from all areas, since through on-site control visits, to fulfill the purpose of Green Key, also that it is a verifiable, traceable, documented, evaluated and accredited action. He concluded by indicating that this is the beginning of a path toward continuous improvement in environmental matters".

Accor’s Mexican establishments reduce single-use plastics by offering their guests drinking water in reusable glass bottles, which they can refill in the dispensers. The chain is also committed to reducing its water footprint to 30% by 2030 and reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Starting from more than 6,000 tons of CO2 per year that is equivalent to 500,000 trees planted.

Mauro Rial, Chief Operations Officer of Accor Hotels, spoke about the internal School for Change program, noting that "it is a training program for our staff to learn about the small and large actions we take to mitigate our operations and care for the environment. The Green Key certification is one more element on this path".

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.