Emirates Recognised As Global Conservation Pioneer
Released
on: June 04, 2010, 3:24 am
Author:
Emirates
Industry:
Travel
Emirates' long term commitment to sustainability and the
environment through its hotels and resorts portfolio has been rewarded
with one of the most prestigious global awards in the travel and
tourism industry.
Emirates Hotels & Resorts was honoured with the Conservation Award at the 2010 World
Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit, held this year in Beijing. The
Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are the WTTC’s highest-profile global accolade,
recognising best practices in sustainable tourism development, conservation and
bio-diversity protection.
Within the Emirates Group, Emirates Hotels & Resorts (EH&R) portfolio encompasses
three major conservation projects spread across three continents: Al Maha Desert
Resort & Spa in Dubai, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia and the forthcoming
Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles.
Hans Haensel, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Destination & Leisure
Management stated: "We are extremely proud to receive this award; it is real
recognition for over ten years of valuable work at Al Maha, and more recently at
Wolgan Valley, Australia, which has led to the creation of new wildlife sanctuaries,
conservation reserves and the protection of endangered species in Dubai."
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC said: "The Conservation Award, is
one of four award categories, and is awarded to hotels and tourism organisations
which have demonstrated that their tourism developments and operations have directly
contributed to conservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and wildlife
protection. Emirates Hotels & Resorts is a pioneer in this space and has also
clearly demonstrated this through its commitment to sustainable development
practices which are also directly linked to the economic well-being of local people
and support cultural heritage across all their properties."
Emirates' first resort, Al Maha Desert Spa & Resort in Dubai, was designed and built
following the principles of environmentally sustainable development. The experience
and the technology advances contributed to even greater efficiency, which has
continued at the recently opened Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia, which is the first hotel
in the world to be certified carbon neutral by an internationally accredited
organisation.
Ongoing collaborative research is also in place at each destination, and these
efforts have been acknowledged by such organisations as UNEP (United Nations
Environment Programme), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and
the World Heritage Committee.
Engineering and innovative design have allowed Emirates Hotels & Resorts to improve
energy consumption, reducing carbon footprint, and great architectural efforts are
made to represent significant historic local features in each destination. Through
guided experiences guests are completely exposed to the history, habitat, wildlife,
and natural heritage of each destination; as well as Emirates’ own conservation
work, in a meaningful, well documented, manner.
"Our greatest wish is that the global hotel industry makes the changes necessary to
protect the natural and historic environments which have attracted travellers for
decades. It is only with a commitment to protect our naturally beautiful locations
across the world, such as Al Maha and Wolgan Valley, that our industry can continue
to grow and thrive," concluded Mr. Haensel.
- ENDS -
About WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the forum for business leaders in the
industry. With the Chairs and Chief Executives of the 100 foremost Travel & Tourism
companies in the world as its Members, WTTC works to raise awareness of its economic
contribution. Today, the industry employs approximately 235 million people and
generates over 9% of world GDP.
About Emirates Hotels & Resorts
Emirates Hotels & Resorts is Emirates Airline's premier hospitality management
division comprising a growing portfolio of award-winning luxury conservation resorts and
lifestyle Spas, offering a number of unique holiday experiences including safaris in
Australia
and camel trekking in Dubai.
Global media contact:
Chiara Sarzi Amade
Emirates Corporate Communications
New EGHQ
5th Floor
Opposite DXB Airport
P O Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+9714) 708 2171
www.ekgroup.com/mediacentre