Salalah hotelier bags Sustainability Award
A Salalah hotelier bagged international accomplishment for his green efforts and a model that he has set for others to emulate. The award titled Sustainability Leadership Award is an initiative of Green Globe, which is an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The Green Globe International Standard for Sustainable Tourism has been developed over two decades in collaboration with the travel and tourism industry, communities in tourism destinations and other stakeholders. The standard is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Mehdi Othmani of Salalah Hilton Resort got this recognition for “his tireless efforts to conserve the environment during his current and two previous assignments. His original ideas to make maximum use of plastic and other waste materials were highly appreciated and thus been honoured with the Sustainability Leadership Award,” said Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe. Bauer came down to Salalah to greet Othmani and his team for the achievement.
“He made serious efforts to segregate waste materials generated out of the hotel waste and recycled them so nicely that they turned out to be expensive decorative pieces. For example, he collected a large number of broken glasses, contacted right agencies which could melt them and make something out of it. And to our surprise, many expensive decorative souvenirs were made out of these waste materials,” said Bauer to a gathering of tourism officials, general managers of hotels located in and around Salalah and some local dignitaries.
This was one of the many other initiatives taken by Othmani to achieve his green commitment, said the Green Globe CEO.
Green Globe is a sustainability standard for travel and tourism and certifies that hotels, resorts, cruises, casinos and conference centres. It ensures best practices in these managements giving environment top priority. “We keep in account their respect and support to the local community and culture, as well as delivering ongoing economic benefits,” said Bauer.
“Hotels that are certified by Green Globe are serious about sustainability, they have green teams in place who act within the Green Globe standard, building and maintaining the foundation and framework for sustainable management. Hilton Salalah is one of these hotels that has taken sustainability matters to heart and we look forward to its team that they maintain the Green Globe certification in the years to come.”
Othmani reiterated his commitment to go ahead with his mission to counter the challenges of environment responsibly. He thanked his team for the success of his green initiatives.