Dubais Five-Star Hotels Wasting $27 Million Annually

Five-star hotels in Dubai are wasting around $27 million in utility bills by ignoring carbon management initiatives and examining ways to reduce their electricity and water bills, a figure that is set to rise with increased Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) tariffs for 2011.

Many hoteliers have woken up to the fact that today’s hotel guests are more environmentally aware than ever before and increasingly demanding hotels accommodate best environmental practice. By complying with initiatives such as the Green Globe Certification, hotels not only reduce their carbon emissions and save water, according to a survey conducted by UAE-based sustainability specialist consultant, Farnek Avireal, they can also cut their utility costs by around 20%.

“The research has indicated that the annual utility costs for the 67 five-star hotels in Dubai are around $134 million. If each hotel averaged 200 rooms, reduced energy consumption could save around $5.50 per room-night, per hotel, or $27 million collectively, not to mention 400,000 tonnes of carbon emissions that would be saved,” said Frederique Maurell, Exhibition Director, The Hotel Show.

“In total there are approximately 67,369 hotel rooms and hotel apartments in Dubai, imagine the dramatic effect if all of Dubai’s hotels signed-up to reduce their carbon emissions,” said Maurell.

Adding further weight to the business case, according to a study by Travel Weekly, 50% of prospective hotel guests said they were prepared to pay 10% more to stay in sustainable hotels, while 66% expressed serious doubts about environmental claims posted on hotel websites.

“The environmental dimension is part of the strategic vision of the best run organisations, and the hotel sector is no different,” said Maurell. “The environment is now a business issue and because of increasingly demand, sustainable hotels need to differentiate themselves from the ‘unenlightened’.”

That paradigm shift is now being reflected by the growing number of exhibitors offering environmental solutions at The Hotel Show 2011 which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 17-19 May.

Therefore, to underscore The Hotel Show’s commitment to sustainability, the show’s floor plan clearly highlights a ‘Green Track’ which maps out any exhibiting companies presenting solutions, design or products which answer the sustainable need of the hospitality industry. There will also be references to these exhibitors in the pre and post show collateral material as well as on our website.

Furthermore with the support of the Dubai Government’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing a number of topics at the Seven Star Conference which runs in parallel with the Hotel Show will be dedicated to sustainability, such as waste management and energy-saving products and initiatives.

LG Electronics which is exhibiting at The Hotel Show is fine example. Now in its third year of its “Greenonomics” programme, a partnership with the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation is investing US$18 million into green businesses between now and 2020.

A raft of other companies, are also participating such as Canadian company NewGen which will be in attendance with a promise: using its laundry system can be up to ten times more eco-friendly than using on-premises facilities. UK-based Williams Refrigeration will be offering its Greenlogic approach to choosing energy-efficient, waste-reducing products that save energy, time and money.

In addition, new ranges of LED-based lighting technology that can reduce energy costs by as much as two thirds of previous systems, as well as sustainable proposals from ABB KNX and Andreu World will be showcased.
 

Dubai’s First Five-Star Hotel Acquires Green Globe Status

The Radisson Blu, Dubai Deira Creek, has been awarded the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC), following a recent AED1.25 million investment in sustainability.

The hotel which originally opened in 1975 was officially recognised for its environmentally friendly practices, after consulting Dubai-based sustainability experts Farnek Avireal to meet the exacting standards.

Rezidor which was handed the management contract for the 276 bedroom property in 2006, has gradually brought its green policies in line with its own Responsible Business Programme, paving the way for the first Radisson Blu branded hotel in the UAE to be accredited with Green Globe certification.

“We had already completed a number of sustainability initiatives, such as energy and resource saving, the use of biodegradable chemicals and recycling initiatives, but achieving Green Globe status will now have a positive effect on every aspect of the hotel operation,” said Chief Engineer Arthur Rodrigues.

“The Green Globe Certification Audit is based on a number of environmental factors, in all we had 250 points to address. Some of the inefficient old and high-power consuming air-conditioning equipment was replaced, coupled with the energy saving wheel, which cools hot air drawn from outside, before passing it through the hotel chillers. It is always more challenging for an older property to attain such rigorous standards, but considering that, it is so much more rewarding to be recognised for our achievements,” added Rodrigues.

Green Globe certification is the premier worldwide sustainability stamp for the tourism industry and more than 800 businesses in 50 countries have so far met the 248 exacting standards. Farnek Avireal currently has the exclusive rights to utilise the Green Globe brand, covering tourism properties within 20 different countries throughout the Middle East.

Through Farnek Avireal’s web-based Hotel Optimiser technology, GGC programme participants can calculate their CO2 emissions including the financial cost, which enables them to track their performance of energy and water consumption as well as non-recyclable waste production.

“The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek is a great example to prove you don’t have to be a new hotel to be environmentally friendly. Independent surveys have revealed that hotel guests are becoming more environmentally conscious and prefer to stay in sustainable hotels. So embracing sustainability makes good business sense,” said Markus Oberlin, general manager of Farnek Avireal.

The Radisson Blu had a number of unusual issues to overcome, not least of all its dinner cruise boat, the Al Mansour Dhow, stationed on Dubai Creek, and its outside catering vehicles, which had to be taken into consideration. However, the hotel’s management is confident that their investment will payback with significantly lower operating costs as well as lower carbon emissions.

“Hotels have a corporate responsibility to the environment and all of its stakeholders. We invested a lot of time and money into this initiative but now we are reaping the rewards financially, socially and environmentally,” added Rodrigues.

The Green Globe brand and programme, has primarily been used in the travel and tourism industry but is now being expanded to include a growing number of environmentally responsible businesses in a variety of market sectors. The GGC stamp of approval is an ideal symbol for the world’s increasing awareness of environmental responsibility and response to global climate change.

For more information about applying for Green Globe International certification log on to www.farnek.com