Park Inn’s Heathrow property has become the first hotel at the airport to by awarded gold accreditation by the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), following the implementation of several new green initiatives.
The 895-room hotel achieved silver status in the scheme in 2008, having implemented a green action plan including training for all employees and the in-house production of bottled water.
This latest award, the first time gold status has been bestowed on a Heathrow hotel, recognises a raft of new initiatives including:
- Investment of £64,000 in low energy lighting for the whole hotel, resulting in a projected reduction of 960,388 kwh electricity and a financial saving of £67,226, both over 12 months
- Increased recycling facilities at the hotel which now cover glass, paper, plastic, light bulbs, batteries and cardboard
- Lobby recycling facilities and systems in place for Housekeeping to recycle guest waste
- Working with suppliers to ensure they take back their packaging for re-use
- As part of hotel refurbishment programme almost 300 rooms now have room key card systems to activate heat and light
- Continued support and involvement in local and global projects - Harlington Hospice, Litter picks, Charity sporting activities, Charity bike ride, Earth hour, Red Nose Day
- Implementation of Work Travel Plan in conjunction with Westtrans which promotes public transport, cycling and walking routes to the hotel
- A bird and wildlife space has been created at the hotel featuring nesting box and bird feeders
- Introduced fairtrade coffee, tea and sugar and recycled toilet roll in all bedrooms
The Rezidor Group's two central London Park Inn hotels (at Hyde Park and Russell Square) have both achieved silver status from the GTBS, which assesses properties against criteria including energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Park Inn says that “many other UK Park Inn hotels are actively working with the GTBS to gain accreditation”.
For more information visit parkinn.co.uk, green-business.co.uk.
Report by Mark Caswell
