Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort wins best energy management award in South Africa

LOS ANGELES, CA – Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort has been declared the 2010 winner for Best Single Resource Management Program – Energy, at the Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards held recently in J

LOS ANGELES, CA – Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort has been declared the 2010 winner for Best Single Resource Management Program – Energy, at the Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa. The dual-certified Heritage Green Globe resort was also highly commended for Best Overall Environmental Management System and a finalist for Best Single Resource Management Program – Waste.

Mr. Warren Bell, Chairperson of the Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort Environmental Management Committee said: “This national award is in recognition of our 14% year on year reduction in energy usage via a range of initiatives both big and small. We completed a change out of light bulbs, installed a new building management system, and ran an extensive education campaign for guests and staff to switch off appliances not in use. The result is not only a reduction of carbon pollution on the environment, but a fundamental and lasting change to how we operate the resort.”

Mr. Neal Dickinson, Operations Director Heritage Environmental Management Company said: “The success of Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort across three categories of these prestigious environmental awards demonstrates the resort’s comprehensive approach to sustainability. Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort was the first Southern Sun property to be awarded the Heritage Green Globe certification and its efforts in managing a sustainable business are an example to tourism businesses in South Africa and internationally.”

Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort has achieved the highest level, Platinum Heritage Certification, for their sustainability program, which incorporates, environmental initiatives including 100% recycling of all water used on property, social engagement via 95% employment of local people, a guest support program for local childcare, natural resource management through the establishment of the Cathkin Park Conservancy to reintroduce bulk grazers (wild game), and the protection and breeding support of endangered Cape Vultures.

Heritage and Green Globe have partnered in South Africa to deliver the world’s most comprehensive and only dual-certification program for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism enterprises. The success of its members reflects both companies’ ability to take internationally-accepted principles and standards for sustainability and deliver them locally.

ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is the only certification brand to be an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is partly owned by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and a member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) governing council. For information visit www.greenglobe.com

ABOUT THE HERITAGE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND THE IMVELO RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS

The Heritage Environmental Management Company was formed in 2002 as southern Africa’s first environmental performance rating initiative. It has since become the largest and most successful environmental management system and certification program of its kind in Africa. In May 2009, Heritage was appointed the Green Globe preferred partner for sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

The Heritage Program is currently being operated by over 150 tourism-based businesses across southern Africa. The program is recognized by the UNWTO and has partnered with FEDHASA in the Imvelo Awards held annually to recognize responsible tourism practice.

ABOUT THE IMVELO RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS

The Imvelo Awards are organized by the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) in association with South Africa’s National Department of Tourism. The awards are in line with the Responsible Tourism guidelines for the South African hospitality industry and the UN World Tourism Organisation’s code of ethics. Imvelo is supported by the Heritage Environmental Certification Program. The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) is the custodian of Imvelo. The main Imvelo partners for 2010 are Absa, the Electricity Supply Commission of South Africa (Eskom), the Department of Water Affairs, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Industrial Development Corporation, and the Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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