First Central Hotel Suites seeks Green Key

Barsha Heights based First Central Hotel Suites is set to become Green Key certified as the mid-market property embarks on a reputation overhaul.

First Central Hotel Suites general manager Wael El Behi has targeted energy efficiency and resource consumption in the Dubai property as he launches a campaign to become ecologically certified.

An LED lighting project has already been approved by the hotel, requiring 10,000 bulbs to be changed, at a cost in the region of US $68,000 (AED 250,000) to $82,000 (AED 300,000), El Behi said in an interview with Hotelier Express.

Green Key is an eco-label for leisure organisations, requiring applicants to fulfil criteria across categories including environmental management, water, waste, energy, CSR and more.

El Behi said: “This is an important challenge, it will cost us in the short-term, but in the long-run it will reduce our expenses. This is just one step on a list of green initiatives – there’s more to come, as we set an objective to become Green Key certified.”

El Behi set-up a committee to work hand in hand to achieve these green initiatives, he added: “This is a process, it requires an on-going commitment, and I plan to become Green Key certified in six to 12 months.”

Overcoming the challenges that budgeting can present in these projects, he notes: “As we do not have a dedicated sustainability budget, we need to fund this from operational budget – that’s why it will take up to 12 months to complete, one floor at a time”.

First Central Hotel Apartments is located in Barsha Heights (formerly known as TECOM), offering 524 apartments and rooms.

A full interview with Wael El Behi will be published in the August issue of Hotelier Express.