Awards countdown: Green Hotelier of the Year
Nine hoteliers have been long-listed for the title of Green Hotelier of the Year, part of the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2009.
Sponsored by cleaning solutions provider Johnson Diversey, the Green Hotelier of the Year Award recognises the individual who has contributed most to their hotel’s green credentials in an age where the environment and energy-saving measures are at the top of the agenda.
Being green while keeping costs down is a difficult balance to strike and this impressive list of green hoteliers proves that ingenuity and a passion for the environment can push the industry into the 21st century.
An independent panel of judges selected by Hotelier Middle East will judge the nominees, with the winner to be announced at a glamorous awards ceremony on October 14 at Madinat Jumeirah.
The 10 nominees that have reached the long-list all report significant achievements and a dedication to their role, but who is your favourite to win?
Wael Farouk
Director of engineering
Courtyard by Marriott & Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Green Community
Since Courtyard by Marriott Green Community opened in 2005, the hotel team has been encouraged by Wael to be actively involved in showing their support for many Community initiatives.
All activities form part of the quarterly objectives to ensure that as many associates get involved as possible.
Wael also plays an integral part in linking the local community's businesses and residents by trying to educate and share best practices on how to protect the local environment and do their utmost to be “green”.
Wael organised the teams for the Clean up the U.A.E, Clean up the World, and other local clean up campaigns which were organised by Emirates Environmental Group.
He also invited the local Greenfield School to plant 100 trees in the hotel area. Not only was this a fun day, but the children also got to understand the importance of being
‘green’.
In addition, he is involved with the Emirates Environmental Group and supports them by providing the hotel as a venue for their meetings.
His colleagues say that just because he makes it look easy, it doesn’t mean that it is — his charm and influence on others to try all initiatives really make him a true ‘green’ hotelier.
Sameh Zaki
Director of engineering
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
No one else exudes decades of engineering acumen, hotel expertise and Hilton experience as Zaki, according to his colleagues.
He has set ground rules, implemented new systems and urged staff at the hotel to follow the strictest policies and procedures, leading to remarkable results in conservation, maintenance and overall operational efficiency.
Sameh and his team of 30, look after 750 electricity units, 500 mini bars, 150 water pumps, 140 fridges, 19 cold rooms, and an in-house sewage treatment plant and his department spearheads the hotel’s sustainability measures.
He leads by the mantra ‘if your machines are well maintained, they will use up less energy, provide higher capacity and emit lower levels of heat and carbon dioxide’.
Year-to-date measurements show that the engineering department has beaten consumption forecasts for electricity and water by 13.5%, and 14.7% respectively.
To say Sameh is on top of things would be an understatement.
He leads his team with meticulous determination and hard-earned wisdom; but he does it with heart.
Sasidharan Gopalan
Director of Engineering
Doha Marriott Hotel
Sasidharan Gopalan is known as the ‘Green Ambassador’ of the Doha Marriott Hotel, spurring on the recycling of paper, plastic bottles and cans in cooperation with the Municipality.
In 2008 the Engineering team started recycling paper and cartons and due to its success, in 2009 they began recycling cans, food, oil and plastic bottles.
In March, headed by Sasi, the Doha Marriott Hotel showed its commitment to Earth Hour and turned off all non-essential lighting.
During Environmental Awareness Month in April, he arranged a planting session and 30 Marriott volunteers gathered at the hotel’s marina, partnered with the Ministry of Municipality and Agriculture to lay 500 plants.
Sasi also organised a beach clean where more than 30 bags were filled with litter.
“We congratulate Sasidharan Gopalan for completing 25 years with the Marriott Family. We admire him for all his knowledge and experiences, as he is definitely one of the best examples of a trustworthily associate to Marriott,” Doha Marriott general manager Saeid Heidari said.
Sakher Al Karmi
Chief engineer
Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels
Sakher Al Karmi adopts a practical approach to his job and uses the demand for energy efficiency to coincide with the hotel’s environmental agenda.
Under systems put in place by Al Karmi, Al Manzil and Qamardeen Hotels saved 30% on electric power, 35% on chilled water for air-conditioning and 15% on maintenance and spare parts, translating into a monthly saving of AED180,000.
Sakher is also coordinating the final stages of ensuring both hotels become ‘green buildings’ by meeting the criteria to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certification.
Ongoing projects include a test DEWA energy-saving panel at Al Manzil Hotel, which is already exceeding expectations and should additionally save up to 30% of the cost on total consumption.
With regards to spare parts, a review of equipment breakdown on a monthly basis enabled a reduction in costs by solving the root cause of equipment breakdowns.
Al Karmi says he is keen to educate his colleagues about the importance of these initiatives and to feel the same passion he possesses for saving on energy consumption.
Nicholas Fernandez
Chief engineer
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City
Nicholas led his engineering team on a mission to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, which resulted in reducing the energy consumption of the hotel by up to 81%.
“The decision to switch to energy efficient green light alone reduced the equivalent of 15,300 kg CO2 emissions per annum,” hotel general manager Pasquale Baiguera noted.
Nicholas has also been instrumental in the community's environment efforts as part of the hotel's Responsible Business campaign.
In addition to the planning and maintenance for systems and installations, he is also responsible for the adherence to safety, hygiene and cleanliness directives issued by authorities.
A professional engineering graduate, Nicholas has experience in the latest building management systems.
Apart from leading a busy engineering team, Nicholas is also a part of team leading CSR projects, including the highly successful Shoe Box Campaign that works with migrant workers across the UAE.
Didier Gourmaud
Director of Food & beverage
Crowne Plaza Kuwait
Didier initiated the Green Engage Program at Crowne Plaza, Kuwait City, as part of developing the hotel commitment with Farwaniya, Kuwait community.
Aimed at increasing the importance of environmental awareness among the staff and thecommunity, it was also designed to promote the positive impact of recycling, endeavoring to reduce waste
disposal by 25%.
Didier has been become a 'Green Champion' according to his colleagues.
Looking at every aspect of hotel life he has implemented policies to raise the property's green credentials.
Furthermore, his activities have brought the hotel staff and the local community closer together.
As the co-founder of the Hotel Social Committee, he has further promoted the green cause and has put the issue at the fore of his colleagues minds.
Abdul Quddus Sheikh
Director of Engineering
The Palace - The Old Town
Abdul Quddus Sheikh has been serving the Middle East Hotel industry in the Green Engineering field since its implementation.
He was one of the very first hoteliers who planned, introduced and implemented an environment-friendly project in Dubai.
Since then Abdul’s life evolves around environmental concerns, challenges and solutions.
The initial task Abdul introduced was to implement a Green Committee among the hotel’s associates.
In addition to the Green Committee, Abdul has installed a Green Board in the staff corridor, which shares the latest environment improvements and news. An idea box is also located next to the Green Board
He introduced a herb garden to the hotel, which is located in front of Thiptara, the hotel's signature Thai restaurant.
These herbs are now used daily as part of the restaurant’s cuisine.
Since January 2009, Mr Abdel Quddus has succeeded in reducing the utilities cost of the hotel by an incredible 82%.
According to his colleagues, he never misses an opportunity which could help him and his hotel to serve the environment better.
Francisco Obregon
Safety Officer
Moevenpick Tower & Suites Doha
Fracisco is the team leader of the hotel’s energy conservation committee.
He drove its energy saving and environment conservation awareness programme in 2008/09 with aplomb.
As a team player in the engineering department, he comes up with initiatives and help others to implement their ideas for energy saving.
Last year Francisco led a competition for energy saving within staff accommodation that spurred the launch of a paper and plastic recycling programme.
Francis spends his own time to go the extra mile in the hotel's energy and environment conservation programmes.
Furthermore, he develops his own initiatives and motivates others to commit to time and energy in fighting for a greener future.
Laurent Rigaud
General manager
Crowne Plaza Sheikh Zayed Road
Despite the Crowne Plaza celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, general manager Laurent Rigaud has inspired 640 colleagues to focus on energy conservation and recycling, which has resulted in numerous green awards and nominations.
The first CP Dubai Environmental Awareness Day was organised and the platform was an opportunity for everyone to share their ideas and creativity while demonstrating sustainable, simple and realistic activities.
Under Laurent the hotel has:
• Recycled 675 tonnes of plastics, paper and cans
• Yearly oil consumption has been reduced to 23587 litres from 36288 litres since 2008
• Energy Conservation has resulted in savings of 15%
• Through the installation of water savers in guest rooms has resulted in 30% reduction in water consumption.
Laurent also leads the UAE Purchasing Committee for IHG Hotels to ensure that all hotels in the area have aligned environment friendly purchasing practices.
All new employees have been taught to develop green habits from day one and, as the hotel tests new products, it is Laurent’s passion that ensures everyone remains on track.