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IH&RA 2004 Environmental Award Recognizes “Innovation in Environmental Best Practice”

Sep 29, 04 | 12:49 am

IH&RA, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association, invites hotels and restaurants worldwide to apply for its 2004 “Environmental Award” which will recognize the best “Innovation in Environmental Best Practice” in two categories: one independent and one chain-affiliated hotel or restaurant. Application instructions are now available on the IH&RA website, with materials due by the deadline of 8 October 2004. The winners will be announced and will receive special recognition at the IH&RA 41st Annual Congress to be held 19-22 November in Istanbul, Turkey. The prize also includes a Certificate recognizing Environmental Excellence as well as 2,500 USD for each winner.

The IH&RA and founding sponsor American Express created the Environmental Award in partnership with UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme, to recognize environmental leadership in the hospitality industry. American Express is sponsoring the Award for the 13th year, and the 2004 Award is again supported by UNEP, as well as Green Globe 21, Onity and Shell LPG.

This year’s theme, “Innovation in Environmental Best Practice” focuses on the use of new technology, as well as the unique and creative methods that hotels and restaurants use to protect the environment in their day-to-day operations, while promoting long-term sustainable development of travel and tourism.

“IH&RA was one of the first associations in the hospitality industry to launch an annual environmental award, thanks to the support of American Express. Our pioneering programme has helped not only to heighten environmental awareness, but also to identify best practice and highlight the industry’s proactive stance on environmental management. We look forward to receiving applications from hotels and restaurants worldwide to illustrate hospitality’s outstanding commitment to the environment,” said John Bell, IH&RA President who represents the 30+ countries of the Caribbean Hotel Association.

David Herrick, President, American Express Establishment Services Europe said, "As a supporter of the IH&RA Environmental Award for more than a decade, we have seen how cultivating environmental and cultural resources can enhance the travel and tourism industry. Past winners are positive proof that we can all do well by doing good."

Mr Mike Treanor, head of Shell`s global LPG business said, "As leading global marketer of liquefied petroleum gas, we are proud to be a supporter of the IH&RA Environmental Award. Our commitment to the hotel sector which we serve in more than 50 countries worldwide is to deliver the best possible service and help secure energy-related performance improvements.”

The last IH&RA Environmental Award focused on the theme of “Energy and Indoor Air Quality in Hotels and Restaurants.” The winner in the Corporate category was Mr. Jan Peter Bergkvist, Director of Environmental Affairs, at the Hilton Nordic Region Scandic Hotels based in Stockholm, Sweden. The winner in the Independent category was Mr. K.P. Kanampilly, General Manager of The Orchid, an ECOTEL Hotel, in Mumbai, India.

In 2004, both independent and chain-affiliated properties will be judged using criteria set by the Banksia Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that promotes environmental excellence and, as a consequence, sustainability. Hotels and restaurants will be asked to show the extent to which environmental and sustainability considerations are integrated into their corporate visions. They will also need to prove the extent to which their hotel or restaurant goes beyond normal practice and sets a new standard by developing and implementing new or innovative standards for incorporation of environmental and sustainability practices. It is also necessary to illustrate open, accurate and clear reporting of activities and the impact on the environment and stakeholders, as well as the extent to which the establishment is changing sustainable practices within its employee, customer and supplier base.

All applications will be judged by IH&RA, UNEP and Green Globe 21, the worldwide benchmarking and certification program which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism for consumers, companies and communities. Winners will then be recognized at an Award Ceremony during a Gala Dinner at the IH&RA 41st Annual Congress, “Building Business – Building Partnerships,” to be held 19-22 November in Istanbul.

“The rapidly growing tourism and travel sector does and will increasingly have a major impact on the environment. As a consequence hotels need to look at ways to integrate environmental considerations into day-to-day business decisions," said Monique Barbut, Director of the Division of Technology, Industry & Economics, UNEP. "Innovation and new technologies present a lot of opportunities in this area, and UNEP is once again pleased to be associated with the IH&RA Environmental Award. We strongly support this initiative and applaud those hotels which operate in a sustainable way to protect the environment."

“As a partner of IH&RA, Green Globe 21 is proud to support this Environmental Award and to be part of the judging panel. We believe that it is vital that the tourism industry shows leadership in building a more sustainable future for the planet. Through the adoption of the Green Globe 21 worldwide environmental certification program, operators in the tourism industry can measurably reduce their environmental impact and demonstrate their credentials to an increasingly discerning traveller,” said Cathy Parsons, Global Manager, Green Globe 21.

IH&RA encourages all hospitality industry establishments to go on-line today at www.ih-ra.com/env_award for information on how to apply for the 2004 Environmental Award. Deadline is 8 October, 2004.