20 hotels receive eco-certification during MTA seminar and certificate presentation

During a seminar organized last week by the Malta Tourism Authority at a leading hotel in Sliema, 20 hotels in Malta and Gozo were awarded with Eco-certification as part of a national scheme which aim

During a seminar organized last week by the Malta Tourism Authority at a leading hotel in Sliema, 20 hotels in Malta and Gozo were awarded with Eco-certification as part of a national scheme which aims to ensure the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural sustainability of hotels on the Maltese Islands. The certificates were presented by MTA Chairman, Dr. Gavin Gulia and MTA CEO, Mr. Paul Bugeja.

Currently there are 22 hotels that are Eco-certified. Of these, 18 were re-certified while two hotels, the Be.hotel and the Radisson Blu Malta St. Julianโ€™s, were awarded the certificate for the first time. A further two hotels were not up for renewal at this time.

Addressing the seminar, the MTA CEO, Mr. Paul Bugeja, pointed out that โ€œthe eco label should not be considered as some kind of cost savings measure, but a way of supporting and ensuring that we preserve our resources for future generations, while at the same time utilizing the available resource for the benefit of current generations. Having been enrolled as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the Malta Tourism Authority is active in the development and promotion of common sustainability standards for the tourism sector worldwide.โ€ Through this international recognition, a local hotel that receives the ECO-certification as part of the MTA managed scheme is also automatically GSTC-certified and this will contribute to increased exposure for the certified establishment.

The MTA Chairman, Dr. Gavin Gulia, highlighted โ€œthe importance that the tourism industry is geared towards the benefits of environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural sustainability of hotelsโ€.

The seminar also included a number of relevant presentations. Ms Eilis McCullough, from ADI Associates spoke about the outcome of the certification audits, Ms Natalรญ Ruiz Gรณmez, Fuerte Hoteles Spain and Mr Edward Bonello, Westin Dragonara Resort Malta both addressed the matter of communicating sustainability, while Mr Clyde Falzon, Wasteserv Malta spoke about food waste separation.

More information on the Eco-certification made be found on mta.com.mt/eco-certification

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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