HICAP Announces Winners of 2018 Sustainable Hotel Awards

The organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific have unveiled the winners of the HICAP 2018 Sustainable Hotel Awards.

The 29th annual HICAP will be held 17-19 October 2018 at the Kerry Hotel Hong Kong.

In the category of Sustainable Design, the winner is The Peninsula Beijing in Beijing, China (pictured). The Peninsula Beijing completed its extensive renovation in July 2017, transforming the property into an all-suite luxury hotel. The renovation was inspired by the imperial architecture of ancient China and is an example of tradition meeting innovation, with the near complete transformation underpinning the company’s philosophy of continually improving their assets for the long-term and their commitment to sustainability while seeking to increase value through new concepts and improved space utilisation. Incorporating sustainable guidelines, the hotel became Beijing’s first BREEAM-accredited renovated hotel. Detailed research was undertaken to form rounded views of the product’s sustainability attributes and impacts as the best choices in the given context were sought. The outcome is that guests may not notice integration of sustainability features within the luxury offering as the hotel combines timeless Chinese artistry and craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.

In the category of Climate Action, the winner is Six Senses Fiji Resort in Malolo Levu Island, Fiji. This 24-room and 10-residence resort has maximized its potential for climate action given its size and location. Powered by one of the largest solar installations in the southern hemisphere and backed by Tesla battery packs, 100% of its energy – including its desalination needs – are met by renewable energy. By reducing the need for diesel power generation, the resort not only reduces emissions from burning fuels, but also from transporting them to the island. In addition to an onsite organic garden and engaging suppliers to reduce packaging on purchased goods, the resort dives deeply into climate action through supporting ecosystems. To-date, over 1,000 trees have been planted to reforest and strengthen the land, while a coral planting and restoration initiative strengthens reefs damaged by fishing and climate change. A sea grass and sea grapes farming program also fortifies the marine ecosystem while acting as a carbon sink.

In the category of Positive Community Impact, the winner is El Nido Resorts in Palawan, Philippines (pictured). The Quadruple Bottom Line: Financial Growth, Community Engagement, Organizational Development, and Environmental Stewardship are incorporated into El Nido Resorts’ sustainability policy for long-term gain. In practice, achieving financial growth was made possible via engagement with community partners, having local fishermen as guides for traditional fishing methods instead of professional tour guides. Furthermore, their investment in local children's education helps safeguard against destructive fishing methods being handed down to yet another innocent generation, while challenging them to be young partners in conservation and responsible tourism. Good corporate governance and shared stakeholder commitment has been critical to achieving success. The “From Hooks to Books” initiative that started in 2015 is a well-deserved recognition and demonstration of Positive Community Impact as it validates the global trend towards Responsible Tourism through environmental integrity and social justice on top of the additional opportunities it provides to the local fishermen and their children.

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