Cristal Hotel Leads Abu Dhabi Hospitality Sector’s ’Green’ Advocacy

Hotel is first in the emirate to recycle 6 types of waste products

Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi, the local arm of Cristal Hotels and Resorts, one of the fastest-growing hotel chains in the region, has established itself as a leader in environmental responsibility within Abu Dhabi’s growing hospitality sector. It has the distinction of being the first hotel in the emirate to recycle six products, namely paper, plastics, aluminum cans, glass, Tetra Pak packaging, cartridges and toners.

Since opening in 2009, Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi has made remarkable investments into recycling programs and is the owner of the largest recycling cages among Abu Dhabi hotels. Over the past two years it has been actively involved in the ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign organised annually by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and was the newest hotel to participate in ‘World Green Tourism,’ an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority aimed at promoting Abu Dhabi as an eco-friendly destination. Moreover, Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi was short-listed for the Arabian Corporate Social Responsibility Awards 2010 by EEG, while Immanuel Williams, Manager - Total Quality Management at the hotel was short-listed for the ‘Green Hotelier of the Year’ – 2010 by the Hotelier Middle East.

“The hotel industry is often considered as one of the most waste-producing businesses in the world. We aim to change that perception here in Abu Dhabi by adopting sustainable strategies to complement our local growth. Cristal Hotel intends to introduce more eco-friendly programs to help raise environmental standards among hotels in Abu Dhabi and throughout the Emirates and promote the concept of sustainable growth among all local industries,” said Immanuel Williams.

Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi has adopted various approaches to reduce its energy use and lessen its carbon footprint. For one, it was the first local hotel to switch to Compact Fluorescent Lamps for its guest rooms in support of the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS). It also turns off heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment when not required, adjusts chilled water temperature for air conditioning according to atmospheric temperature, and regulates domestic water temperature to reduce compressor load. As a result, the hotel’s energy consumption increased by only 9 per cent between 2009 and 2010 despite a 26 per cent increase in occupancy for the same period.

“Our environmental initiatives form just part of a broader Corporate Social Responsibility agenda where the well-being of our customers and the communities we operate in take high priority. We hope that our industry peers will engage in similar activities so that we can make significant contributions to Abu Dhabi’s socio-economic development,” added Williams.

Conveniently located within Abu Dhabi’s downtown banking district, Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi opened in late 2009 as a premier provider of deluxe accommodations for business and weekend travelers. The hotel offers 192 rooms and suites, food and beverage outlets, a business centre and meeting rooms, underground parking, and leisure and lifestyle amenities such as an indoor pool, Figure 8 Health Club and the exclusive Cristal Spa. Cristal Hotels and Resorts is also preparing to open Cristal Salam Hotel, a new Abu Dhabi branch and its second hospitality destination in the UAE, early this year to build on the huge success of Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi.
 

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