2015 SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD WINNERS. Sustainable Project Design Sustainable Operations Sustainable Destinations Sustainable Communities

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1 2015 SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD WINNERS Sustainable Project Design Sustainable Operations Sustainable Destinations Sustainable Communities

2 SUSTAINABLE PROJECT DESIGN SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD ELEMENT SUZHOU SCIENCE AND TECHONOLOGY TOWN CHINA This newly opened 188-key long stay hotel is located in Suzhou Science and Technology Town, an eco-city seated within the Suzhou National New & Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone. The property was built with ecofriendly and healthy materials, wherever possible, and is targeting to achieve both LEED certification and the Chinese Evaluation Standard for Green Building Star 2 Label. Numerous components and actions have been incorporated into the Element s Sustainable Design including: Being designed in a symbolic figure 8 shape to help maximize daylight penetration, as well as allowing natural ventilation during the comfortable transitional seasons. The building orientation minimizes solar heat gain through the building envelope, especially for the western facade. Regional materials have been used where possible to reduce transportation requirements and a Product Life Cycle analysis was carried out in the detail material selection stage. Renewable energy systems have been implemented including solar photovoltaic and a solar water heating system, while highly water-efficient products have been installed. A water recycling system recycles rainwater and the adjacent river water for the landscape water and irrigation. A comprehensive Hotel Operation Waste Management Plan has been implemented to minimize solid waste dumped to landfill. It was this comprehensive thinking behind the design and ongoing operations of this hotel which makes the Element Suzhou a worthy recipient of the 2015 HICAP Sustainable Project Design award.

3 SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD ALTA PENSION HOUSE DAVAO CITY PHILIPPINES This 72-room budget-friendly family-run hotel, located in the heart of Davao City, Philippines, was recognized amongst the top ten Zero Carbon Resorts Energy and Resource Top Savers in Alta Pension House s vision is to provide budget travelers safe, clean and affordable lodging through efficient, reliable and sustainable management processes. Alta Pension House s attention to operational detail to reduce energy and water usage is impressive, scrutinizing every corner of the facility finding opportunities to reduce consumption. 34 conservation measures were identified and implemented. Results demonstrate systems thinking to efficient resource use, such as capturing rainwater for laundry use, then connecting laundry greywater to supply water closets which were outfitted with low-flush features, all undertaken with DIY ingenuity that was documented and can be shared as a best practice for implementation. Through this attention to detail, innovative opportunities were identified such as repositioning the showerhead pipe to face downward to reduce leftover water and extend valve life, installing low-cost sky lighting in guestroom corridors to reduce lighting needs, and using chicken screen as an enhanced ventilation alternative to plywood. Since 2010, the hotel has reduced its water and electricity use per guest by 73% and 44%, respectively, translating to a US$36,000 annual reduction in utility bills, despite a 30% increase in conditioned rooms. The Alta Pension House is an outstanding example of hotels being able to reduce consumption and save money regardless of asset class or budgets size for capital expenditures.

4 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATIONS TAI O HERITAGE HOTEL HONG KONG Hong Kong has a rich and historical culture, but much has been lost. It is therefore important to pursue a policy of conserving heritage and revitalising the past whenever possible. In 2008, the Ng Teng Fong Family set up a non-profit making company to restore and convert Lantau Island s Grade II listed Old Tai O Police Station into a 9-key boutique hotel. In 2013, the hotel was recognised by UNESCO, receiving a merit award for Cultural Heritage, making it the first UNESCO awarded hotel in Hong Kong. In addition to restoring the buildings to their original state including some of its cannons, search lights and guardhouses the hotel is helping rejuvenate the history of Tai O, a traditional fishing village. Efforts have included interviewing local villagers and retired marine police officers who served at Tai O, collecting old photographs and using both in displays open to the public. The hotel has become a catalyst for the local community to revive some of their own traditions. Initiatives include revitalising their century old wedding customs - involving a Marriage Parade through the main street - the reopening of the Chung Ying Theatre and visits to traditional stilted family homes. The hotel also offers unique Tastes of Tai O tea sets and dishes and the restaurant includes both local recipes and produce. It is rare to find a hotel acting as such a catalyst for the rejuvenation of its local community and culture.

5 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES LEMON TREE HOTEL GROUP INDIA Fresh, fun & spirited, Lemon Tree Hotel Group is a fastgrowing Indian hotel chain currently with 27 hotels across three brands in 16 cities. Using a Triple Bottom Line Approach (People, Planet, Profit), Lemon Tree believes it should stand for more than just profit, driving the brand to become truly Indian and trusted. To make these values part of its DNA, they focus on creating a socially inclusive work environment to bring people of different backgrounds, abilities and ethnicities together as a unified working team with common goals. In addition to environmental efforts of tree-planting, renewable energy, water reuse, wastewater treatment, waste management, universal design and utilizing green fuels & materials, all benefiting local communities, their socially inclusive initiatives focus on hiring Employees With Disabilities (EWD), including those who are Speech & Hearing Impaired, Orthopedically Handicapped, or with Down Syndrome. EWDs comprise 13% of total staff across several departments, with a goal of increasing EWD staffing from 400 to 700 by Lemon Tree seeks to encourage the industry to diversify its profile of employee candidates and access new talent pools. Providing skills training to EWDs helps create a virtuous cycle of inclusivity for the industry and communities. Innovative ideas include EWD nametags indicating how best he/she can serve the guest to help set expectations, and numbered menu items to simplify ordering. These engagement efforts help sensitize guests and have been positive in building competitive advantage for its brand, as well as increasing guest and employee satisfaction and loyalty.

6 HICAP SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARDS SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARDS JUDGING COMMITTEE Robert Day, Senior Vice President, WATG Lyndall DeMarco, Managing Director, Only Sustainability Pty Ltd Dr Harold Goodwin, Professor of Responsible Tourism, Manchester Metropolitan University & Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism John Graham, Chief Environmental Specialist, International Finance Corporation Eric Ricaurte, Founder & CEO, Greenview