Green Globe re-certifies Jumeirah's Kuwait hotel

Green Globe has recertified the Jumeirah Messilah Hotel Beach & Spa in Kuwait for the second year in a row.

The hotel's general manager, Hakan Petek, said: "We are very happy and proud to be re-certified by Green Globe. Our ultimate aim is to create awareness in the community and build a relationship supporting green initiatives with all stakeholders."

According to guest feedback, 11% of visitors chose to stay at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa specifically because it is environmentally friendly.

Staff training has been updated to highlight sustainability. Topics have included global warming, the greenhouse effect, climate change, acid rain and carbon footprints as well as waste management and recycling awareness.

CSR initiatives regularly focus on annual events. In 2016, for the third consecutive year, the resort switched off non-essential lights and turned off fountains to save energy. The hotel’s recorded volume of power conserved during Earth Hour was 280 kilowatt hours (kwh). 

In addition, in commemoration of World Environmental Day, the property partnered with the Ministry of Interior as part of the launch of the Kuwait Green Oasis campaign and the clean-up of Al-Anfaja Beach. The event was conducted under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa was comprehensively audited by Farenk, Green Globe’s preferred Middle East partner. The report found that segregated waste and recycling programmes have been initiated and water usage dropped by 5% by decreasing the frequency of cycles for irrigation and fountains.

In the community, the hotel supports other CSR activities such as the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign organised by the American Ladies Organisation and also the Kuwait Centre for children with special needs.

All guests including the physically challenged are welcomed and catered for at the property. Bathrooms have wheelchair access with wider showers, hand and grab rails and taps fitted at lower levels for easy access. Finally, specially modified smoke alarms have been fitted near beds for the hearing impaired.

Petek concluded: "In today’s global environment it is vital that we, as hoteliers, do everything possible for a sustainable and prosperous future. Green Globe drives us to rethink traditional business models and become creative in finding alternative solutions to those factors which impact on all of us.”

Since 2015, the resort has been recognised by Green Globe for its dedication to sustainable management and operations.