The considerate hotel of the year award 2006

Applications for The Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2006 are now being invited and are open to any UK hotel or guesthouse with 6 or more guest bedrooms. Hosted by The Considerate Hoteliers Association, the 2006 awards are supported by the British Hospitality Association and the Hotel and Catering International Management Association.

“I make no excuses for beating the drum about environmental issues. We in the hotel industry have a huge part to play in improving the environmental quality of life for our guests, visitors, local residents and staff. We should be setting the example for others to follow. We really can make a difference.”

“Global climate change, ethical consumerism, and the growing popularity of eco-tourist destinations are key issues for our industry to address. The need to cut waste and increase efficiency cannot be underestimated, and businesses which make real changes are rewarded by industry bodies and consumers alike. In many respects, the future of a sustainable hospitality industry lies with schemes such as The Considerate Hotel of the Year Award."
Bob Cotton, Chief Executive, British Hospitality Association

“Discerning customers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of tourism, at a time when the industry is facing strong growth in demand. Faced with this challenge, hoteliers need to be imaginative in their use of resources if they are to remain competitive. The Awards recognise best practice in this field, where sustainability is vital to long-term prosperity”

This year the leading organisations in their fields: WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) for waste minimisation and recycling; ENVIROWISE for water management; OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY AND SUSTAIN for sustainable food; and HOSPITABLE CLIMATES for energy efficiency – have set four challenges for UK hotels;

• Envirowise challenges hotels and guesthouses to save at least 30% on their water and effluent bill over the period July to October 2006 (or the nearest comparable billing period). Envirowise surveys have revealed that savings of this scale can be achieved by implementing good quality staff training and by reducing leaks. The challenge will be won by the hotel that can demonstrate the greatest saving, above or below the 30% target.
• WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) challenges hotels and guesthouses to reduce the volume of waste they send to landfill by at least 20% over the period July to October 2006 (or the nearest comparable billing period). WRAP's many trial programmes have demonstrated that businesses in our sector can achieve reductions in waste volumes at this level by implementing waste minimisation programmes and recycling initiatives. This challenge will be won by the hotel that makes the greatest waste reduction.
• The Oxford Brookes Hospitality/Sustain challenge will be awarded to the hotel or guesthouse that has done the most to promote the best that British Food has to offer. This challenge will be won by the hotel that can demonstrate the greatest commitment to promoting seasonal British food on its menus over the period July to October 2006.
• The Hospitable Climates challenge will be awarded to the hotel or guesthouse that can reduce energy consumption by the greatest amount over the period July to October 2006 (or the nearest comparable billing period). Hospitable Climates has found that hotels can reduce their energy consumption by up to 15% by implementing a range of low and no cost measures. The challenge will be won by the hotel that can demonstrate the greatest reduction in consumption.

Hotels and guesthouses are welcome to enter for any or all of the challenges. There will be an award for each challenge and the overall winner – to be named Considerate Hotel of the Year - will be the hotel or guesthouse which has (in the opinion of the judges) either performed best against a number of categories of the award or outstandingly well in one category.

• ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE: A copy of WRAP's excellent information pack on managing waste in hospitality businesses
• Immediate enrolment into the Hospitable Climates energy management programme
• Access to an ENVIROWISE advisor who will discuss how to identify immediate costs savings, which may involve a FREE site visit. These visits have saved 3,000 businesses over £20 million.

HOW TO APPLY: Application forms are available at www.consideratehoteliers.com or via The Considerate Hoteliers Association, contact John Firrell on t: 01308 482 313

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: Friday 24th November 2006 – 5 p.m.
The winners and runners-up will be announced at the prestigious Master Innholders Annual General Managers Conference at The Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday 16th January 2007. The Awards ceremony is set to be a star studded event with key industry “movers and shakers” out in force! This is a not to be missed opportunity.


Notes to Editors:

1. Enquires to Claire Lalaguna, Satellite MPR; e: Claire@satellitempr.com, t: 01903 885 414
2. The Considerate Hoteliers Association c/o CESHI, DHLTM, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 OBP e:info@consideratehoteliers.com or telephone John Firrell on 01308 482 313
3. Message from Liam Lambert, Chairman, Considerate Hoteliers

“Finally, summer is here at last and at Considerate Hoteliers we have cause to celebrate our own bit of sunshine. Our cause for celebration is the launch of The Considerate Hotel of the Year 2006 Awards programme, details of which you will find on our website. This year we have created four challenges. The ultimate winners will have shown that they really can rise to a worthy cause but will in doing so considerably enhance their environmental credentials and, dare I say, have saved money.

I make no excuses for beating the drum about environmental issues. We in the hotel industry have a huge part to play in improving the environmental quality of life for our guests, visitors, local residents and staff. We should be setting the example for others to follow. We really can make a difference. I would however be the first to acknowledge that there are often many complex issues to confront. At the Considerate Hoteliers Association our aim is to help the dedicated hotelier do this by providing sensible and worthwhile advice and assistance. So, take full advantage of your membership and if you need help, ask. If you are not a member, then why not join us?

Now, are you ready for the challenge?”

Liam Lambert

(Liam Lambert is Operations Director – Europe for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group)