JEDDAH – Moevenpick Hotel Qassim, Buraydah has been recertified by Green Globe Certification – a Los Angeles, California headquartered worldwide sustainability system which is based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Over the past few years, this luxury hotel has demonstrated leadership and innovation in the fields of operational efficiency and corporate responsibility on multiple levels. The success of Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts' sustainability efforts lies in its integration into their business strategy. “Moevenpick Hotel Qassim is fully committed to promote sustainability, and we are proud to earn the prestigious Green Globe re-certification,” said Prashant Sharma, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Moevenpick Qassim. “We generate our own environment and get exactly what we deserve. Our Green Team declared a ‘Green Day' on Oct. 8, celebrating our success. Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Qassim, recognized our achievement and sent a letter of appreciation to the hotel.” A long-term sustainability management system is in effect at the Moevenpick Hotel Qassim where energy goals are strictly monitored. The property has its own water well and all water-related equipment is filtered and tested on a monthly basis. Waste volume, weight, and reduction goals are specified, and garbage is being segregated per the hotel's waste management policy. A reuse and recycle policy is in place and packaging is reduced to a minimum. Suppliers adhering to environmentally-friendly practices, and organic and certified products are favored. Guests are encouraged to minimize their footprint and join local activities promoting awareness. In addition, the hotel offers a number of options for sustainable meetings and events. Green Globe Certification's CEO, Guido Bauer, said: “We are extremely pleased to award re-certification to the Moevenpick Hotel Qassim in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability is a huge topic in Saudi Arabia, and the Moevenpick Hotel Qassim follows the nation's green trend. At the recent Global Economic Symposium in Brazil, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced plans to transition the nation to 100% renewable energy in the coming decades. In April, the country opened a 388,000-square-foot solar thermal plant in Riyadh, reported to be the world's largest such plants. Moevenpick Hotels and Resorts is one of the largest hotel groups to commit to Green Globe Certification for all properties worldwide.” The audit for the Moevenpick Hotel Qassim was conducted by Farnek Avireal, lead sustainable consultancy in the MENA region. – SG
