Jet2holidays and Green Key entering global partnership

Green Key is pleased to announce to have entered an official partnership with Jet2holidays, the UK’s largest tour operator.

To ensure that customers can continue to enjoy amazing holidays, Jet2holidays has published its ‘Jet2 Net Zero’ sustainability strategy setting the company on a path to net zero by 2050. To help achieve this goal, Jet2holidays has identified Green Key as one of two preferred international certification programmes.

Green Key is a leading eco-certification programme for hotels and other establishment categories with currently more than 4,800 certified establishments in over 60 countries worldwide. The certification is based on compliance with a strict set of internationally recognised criteria that are regularly controlled for through on-site audits and a subsequent independent third-party verification process. The Green Key programme is managed by the international nonprofit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and its national member organisations across 80 countries.

The announcement is in line with the commitment of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays to become one of the leading brands in sustainable air travel and package holidays.

Thanks to this partnership with Green Key International, over 800 hotels in the Jet2holidays catalogue can now be easily identified as a ‘Certified Sustainable Hotel’. This means that it will be easier for customers interested in more sustainable holidays to find what they are looking for. Furthermore, Jet2holidays is encouraging and supporting more hotels to gain the Green Key certification through a new Sustainable Hotel Charter which they have launched.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “As well as enjoying the award-winning experience of Jet2holidays, customers want to know their holidays are more sustainable. The launch of this cooperation empowers customers and independent travel agents to easily search and book with exactly that in mind. We are seeing more demand for sustainable hotels and, as we work with our hotels to help them become more sustainable through our new system, this collection of sustainable hotels is guaranteed to become even bigger and better. As a responsible airline and tour operator, we have already taken many tangible steps on our journey to reach our sustainability targets and today is the latest example of how we are continuing our work to become more sustainable in the air, on the ground and in resort.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Director of Green Key International adds: “We are pleased to see an increasing interest in the Green Key Certification also from major tour operators. Through our partnership with Jet2holidays, we look forward to having hotels working with Jet2holidays certified with Green Key in order to have more guests enjoying tourism in a sustainable manner.”

Palazzo Ripetta Hotel in Italy obtains the Green Key certification

Good environmental practices in the heart of Rome, capital of Italy, between history, art and zero impact

A few steps from Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino and Via del Corso, in the famous street of the same name, is Palazzo Ripetta, a 5-star hotel where history, art and sustainability come together harmoniously. A story that begins in the 60s of the last century, when the entrepreneur Alberto Ginobbi enhances the cultural value of the historic building by starting an important renovation together with the architect Luigi Moretti.  

Palazzo Ripetta embodies a new concept of hospitality and hospitality: at the center green and sustainability. And to the numerous achievements of more than a century of history, Palazzo Ripetta today adds the achievement of the Green Key certification. The focus is on the choice of totally renewable energy, air conditioning with low environmental impact, on the choice of eco-sustainable materials throughout the hotel.           

The installation of the BMS (Building Management System) service involves an effective and efficient use of energy while minimizing waste. The structure does not use gas, but 100% energy. The percentage of LED lighting is 100% of the total illumination. Each customer has access to their room with an electronic key.  

The cleaning products used have a low environmental impact: ozone stabilized in aqueous solution patented by Tersano, which is a simple and very sustainable system. The use of plastic is reduced to a minimum inside the structure: neither plastic bottles nor cups are used for guests; Strictly glass bottles and containers are preferred with the adoption of the returnable vacuum policy. The stationery products are all strictly green, the laudry bags exclusively in fabric, the collection is differentiated in each room and throughout the hotel. The products are seasonal and come exclusively from the Made in Italy tradition. The proposals to tourists are always zero impact.  

The structure is in constant interaction with the environments and guests, aware and informed about the many eco-friendly activities implemented in the daily management. All Palazzo Ripetta employees are regularly trained on the good sustainability practices chosen and adopted by the hotel. Particular attention is paid to environmental performance through the integration of a systematic and constant working method, which has led to the consequent reduction of the impact on the environment. 

The guidelines are fully met and reflect the environmental values promoted by the Green Key certification.

Reef Conservation becomes the Green Key National Operator for Mauritius

The Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) member organisation in Mauritius, Reef Conservation is launching the national management of Green Key in the country.  

Green Key certified Veranda Resorts, Mauritius. Photo credit: Rogers Hospitality.

The overall objective of Reef Conservation is to promote a holistic ridge to reef approach for the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems and biodiversity through local, regional, and international efforts in partnership with all concerned stakeholders. Reef Conservation carries out projects and initiatives in four programmes areas: Training; Education and sensitisation; Research and monitoring and Community and conservation. 

Francois Rogers, Executive President of Reef Conservation, states: “After the development of Eco-Schools and YRE programmes in Mauritius and Rodrigues, it is an honour for Reef Conservation to oversee the deployment of Green Key certification across the hospitality sector in Mauritius. This high-quality certification with strict criteria developed to monitor and accompany the environmental and sustainable implementation of management and education. As this certification applies not only to hotels, but at large, to conference centres, leisure parks, restaurants and small hotels, the Green Key Certification will greatly contribute to support the transformation of Mauritius in a sustainable island destination.’” 

A Green Key Steering Committee has been formed in Mauritius with the support of professionals of the industry, namely: Mr Renaud Azema, General Manager of Vatel School (Mauritius), Mr Gulshan Teeluck, Training Officer  and Acting Coordinator for the Tourism Department at the Mauritius Institute of Training & Development,  Ms Jodi Naidoo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Tourism, Leisure, and Services School of Sustainable Development and Tourism (SSDT) at the University of Technology Mauritius and Mr  Daren Moodley, Coordinator of Sustainable Island Program & Consultant at the Tourism Authority. All on-site audits will be carried out by SGS Mauritius. 

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds: “We have had Green Key certified establishments (Heritage Resorts hotels) in Mauritius since 2017, and we are extremely proud to have Reef Conservation taking over the management of Green Key at the national level which will enhance the continued development of the Green Key programme in Mauritius.” 

Green Key to IBIS City Center hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine

Despite the challenging situation for the national Green Key management and especially the hospitality industry in Ukraine, we are very happy to announce that IBIS City Center in Kyiv has been Green Key certified.

 The Green Key programme in Ukraine has gone through a tough time in the last one and a half years. It nearly stopped after one of the Green Key certified hotels was destroyed by a missile strike. It was not easy to have any other priorities except the safety of human life.

Hotel management must be strong and believe in European values to start Green Key programme implementation in wartime. This is exactly what happened at the IBIS City Center hotel located in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. On 17 August 2023, the Hotel's representative handed in the Green Key application form to the Ukrainian Green Key National Operator, and the hotel successfully passed its on-site audit.

The hotel staff has demonstrated its dedication to corporate social programme implementation, particularly to the part related to sustainable development and a high level of safety measures. According to the personnel, implementing the Green Key programme has helped saving resources, protecting the environment, and significantly cuts utility costs. The hotel management team is enthusiastic about implementing the programme and estimating it as future oriented.

Motel One to certify all hotels with Green Key

Motel One Group, a German hotel chain with 90 hotels in 13 countries, has chosen Green Key as the external certification programme partner for its hotels.

Motel One Linz Hauptplatz, Austria

Motel One has made it its priority to sustainably improve the hospitality world through its business activities. No matter whether it’s through climate protection, the purchase of sustainable products, being a multi-award-winning employer or through societal commitment. For this the group has launched the ‘One Planet. One Future.’ programme which is based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

With external certifications, Motel One is underlining its commitment to sustainable development and is obtaining objective confirmation that the ESG measures it has already put in place have been effective.

In July 2023, Motel One signed a cooperation agreement with Green Key to certify all Motel One Group hotels. The certifications will portray the high environmental and socio-economic standards through rigorous verifications and auditing processes.

Daniel Müller, Co-CEO Motel One Group, says: “We are very proud, that our longstanding efforts are now being verified and certified by an experienced external party. This will send a strong signal of quality and reliability towards our guests and underline our commitment. Green Key is a strong partner, and we are thrilled to start this cooperation.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds: “We are impressed with Motel One’s ambitions on sustainability, and we are grateful to be chosen as the external certification programme partner. We have already begun the work with Motel One’s hotels on their sustainability journey.”

Motel One Glasgow, Scotland

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and Green Key International Enter Collaboration Agreement

Green Key is proud to announce to be an official partner of IHG Hotels & Resorts, supporting the eco-certification efforts of IHG hotels.

Crown Plaza Copenhagen Towers, Copenhagen, Denmark

IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company with more than 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries worldwide, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good. IHG has a family of 18 hotel brands, across luxury & lifestyle, premium, essentials, suites and exclusive partners – including, among others: Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, voco, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites.

Continuing a long-standing commitment to operating responsibly, IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow action plan sets out the company’s ambitions to deliver its purpose of True Hospitality for Good, through efforts focused on creating positive change for people, communities and the planet.

Through its collaboration with Green Key International, IHG will support hotel pathways to participation in the Green Key programme, which will provide external third-party validation of the comprehensive sustainability efforts being undertaken by hotels across the IHG portfolio.

Kate Willoughby, Head of Corporate Responsibility, EMEAA at IHG, says,

“Our hotels are driving impactful progress toward sustainability goals as part of the Journey to Tomorrow plan. We’re pleased to be working with an internationally-recognised and leading eco-certification programme like Green Key to provide further external recognition for these initiatives, and to drive further continuous improvement.”

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds,

“We are extremely proud to be an eco-certification partner of IHG. We recognise the value of IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow in supporting their hotels’ journey towards achieving the external Green Key certification and applaud IHG for partnering with Green Key, thereby reaffirming their commitment to sustainability and accountability.”

Voco Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland

About IHG®

IHG Hotels & Resorts is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 18 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,900 in the development pipeline.

• Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo

• Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels

• Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels

• Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites

• Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 345,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit IHG online for more about their hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. To download the new IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App or Google Play stores.

 For IHG’s latest news, visit their Newsroom and follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Green Key Programme Launched in Bangladesh: A positive step towards Sustainable Tourism

In a significant stride towards advancing sustainable tourism in Bangladesh, the nation proudly inaugurates the Green Key program under the astute leadership of Probha Aurora, the esteemed national operator of Green Key in Bangladesh

Green Key, a globally recognised certification programme renowned for its emphasis on environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the hospitality and tourism sector, now finds its home in Bangladesh through the dedicated efforts of Probha Aurora. As the national operator, Probha Aurora's adept strategic approach and conscientious response to both local and global environmental concerns position them as the ideal custodians of this prestigious initiative.

Bidhan Chandra Pal, Founder and Managing Director of Probha Aurora, shared,

"We take immense pride in announcing the national stewardship of Green Key in Bangladesh. This endeavor not only nurtures ecologically responsible tourism and sustainable business practices but also proudly showcases Bangladesh's resolute dedication to eco-friendly tourism. With concerted cooperation, we aspire to realize the triumph and longevity of this programme."

The Green Key programme encourages tourism establishments, including hotels, hostels, holiday parks, conference centers, restaurants, and attractions, to adopt sustainable methods and technology. This will lead to a reduction in resource consumption and an increased focus on environmental responsibility, ultimately contributing to a greener tourism sector. Probha Aurora's dedication to environmental awareness on a national scale, combined with its innovative revenue generation models, makes them well-equipped to drive positive change and ensure the success and sustainability of the Green Key programme in Bangladesh.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, enthusiastically remarked,

"We are very happy to announce Probha Aurora as the entity in charge of implementing and administering the Green Key programme in Bangladesh. It is exciting to see the interest for Green Key growing in South and South-East Asia. Probha Aurora’s aim of supporting the transition to sustainable tourism in Bangladesh while also creating new jobs for youth in the tourism industry is a very important strategic direction."

The rise in environmental awareness among tourists has led to a demand for eco-friendly accommodations. The Green Key certification assures tourists of a tourism establishment's dedication to sustainability. In Bangladesh, the launch of the Green Key programme by Probha Aurora reflects a significant step towards aligning the country's tourism industry with global sustainable practices. This initiative is anticipated to make Bangladesh a top choice for environmentally conscious travelers as the nation embraces eco-friendly initiatives and awareness campaigns among tourists, staff, and suppliers.

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About Probha Aurora:

Since its inception in 2021, Probha Aurora stands as an avant-garde organisation ardently committed to tackling environmental challenges and propounding sustainable paradigms in Bangladesh. A climate-sensitive, youth-focused social enterprise, Probha Aurora's resolute initiatives align seamlessly with the imperatives of today's sustainability landscape.

Noteworthy to mention, the launch of this programme was strategically fortified through collaborative strategic support from ekShop, A2i (Access to Information) and the Government ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Division, Cabinet Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and UNDP signifying a collective pledge to foster a greener and more enduringly sustainable tourism industry.

Discover Green Key’s achievements in the 2022 FEE’s annual report

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) releases its annual report each year, which includes a summary of the organization's key accomplishments and network-wide choices. The report details a number of accomplishments from FEE's five programmes. As a result, the report also includes the Green Key programme's achievements and other important milestones.

© FEE

In 2022, the Green Key programme achieved important milestones, such as:

• Signing new cooperation agreements with Accor, BWH Hotel Group, and Ascott Hotel, among others, contributing to the overall increase of over 900 establishments in the programme.

• Participating in the Improved Competitiveness of National Entreprises (ICONE) project with FEE EcoCampus programme and supporting the development of sustainable tourism in Cambodia through education and capacity building in the hospitality sector.

• Continuing working, in line with FEE strategic plan GAIA 20:30, on empowering climate action, protecting global biodiversity and reducing environmental pollution.

To read more about Green Key’s highlights of 2022 featured in the FEE annual report click here.

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Empowering Caribbean Tourism: New Partnership with focus on the engagement in Sustainable Certification Programmes in the Caribbean

The University of the West Indies (UWI), the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and Green Trinidad and Tobago (Green T&T) have joined forces to assess the extent to which the region’s tourism industry is participating in globally recognized sustainability-oriented certification programmes.  

Increasingly, programmes like FEE’s Green Key programme have become valuable vehicles for assisting companies in improving efficiencies, reducing their carbon footprint, and broadening their market appeal.  

The new partnership will look at the use of sustainability certification programmes by Caribbean tourism-related companies and identify potential strategies to increase industry participation.  

The organisations announced the partnership and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the recent Caribbean Travel Marketplace event in Barbados, the region’s largest B2B event held annually by CHTA. The MOU supports the organisations’ research, advocacy, training, and public awareness collaboration.  

Commenting at the launch, UWI’s Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, St. Augustine Campus stated:  

“We are pleased to participate in this new partnership, a conglomeration of local, regional, and international organisations which have converged to push the boundaries of Caribbean tourism. By engaging industry, we are able to produce data to help us offer solutions to pressing issues associated with Caribbean tourism.” 

CHTA’s President Nicola Madden-Greig, who was joined by Kyle Mais, Chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, a CHTA-affiliated organisation, added:  

“We wish to thank our partners at UWI, FEE and Green T&T for advancing with us this important undertaking. We look forward to drawing upon the research project’s results to raise awareness, stimulate more direct actions by the industry, and advance policies and programs which raise the bar and move the region toward playing a more active and results-oriented role in protecting and enhancing our most treasured resources – our people and our environment.”  

FEE’s CEO Daniel Schaffer commented:  

“There is a clear expectation that hotels working within the system within sustainability will have an advantage within the marketplace. There is, however, still a need for more facts and figures about the positive effect of engaging in sustainability. The research that is part of our MOU will validate this and offer additional insights for improvements.  

 We look forward to working on the research undertaking and being part of the subsequent advocacy and public awareness about the outcome of this research in the region and worldwide.” 

Providing a destination perspective, Joanna Moses-Wothke, CEO for Green T&T, a FEE member organisation supporting training and credentialling initiatives locally and regionally, and who was joined by her colleague Tenisha Brown-Williams, added her support: 

 “This research project will provide critical insight into the impact of sustainability efforts. It will significantly help financially restricted small business owners to make informed decisions about marketing strategies, sustainable tourism, product development, and even customer service in a sustainable realm. The results will assist policymakers as facilitators of successful green, blue, and purple tourism development.” 

 The project’s research phase is under development, with outreach to the industry expected to occur this summer. 

Signatories display their support during the virtual signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). (Clockwise from upper left): Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, University of the West Indies; Daniel Schaeffer, Foundation for Environmental Education; Kyle Mais, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association; and Joanna Moses-Wothke from Green Trinidad and Tobago.

About the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) 

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations. For more than 60 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 33 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or, looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on issues which matter most. For further information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.  

About The University of the West Indies 

Starting as a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, UWI has evolved into a modern, future-driven, activist, top-ranked academy with over 50,000 students. Its mission to advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean is centered on producing critical thinkers and leaders who serve the needs of the 21st century society. 

About Green Trinidad and Tobago 

Green T&T is a nonprofit environmental civil society organization that implements sustainable tourism certification and educational initiatives. This includes the global Blue Flag and Green Key certification programmes. The organisation aims to increase environmental awareness and improve the environmental consciousness within the tourism and hospitality sector. 

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