Hotel group spells out its water-wise steps for summer

THE CARLSON Rezidor Hotel Group is doing its bit to save water and to educate and encourage local and foreign guests at its group of Radisson hotels in Cape Town to do the same.

According to the group, with over 10 million tourist arrivals recorded last year, South Africa, and particularly Cape Town, has seen the development of many new hotels to accommodate the influx.

The group said with the peak tourist summer season fast approaching and level 5 water restrictions in effect, hospitality players, now, more than ever, need to play their part in implementing water-saving initiatives, and educating both local and foreign guests.

The group said each of its six hotels in the region had embarked on operational changes to save as much water as possible and were taking “every opportunity” to educate and encourage guests to save water.

William McIntyre, a regional director of Southern Africa for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said it was vital both local and international guests in the city were made aware of the province’s water crisis and follow the City of Cape Town’s regulations to save water.

“Guests are informed of the water crisis at numerous touchpoints. Upon arrival, all guests are informed of the water crisis in the city with signage in the hotel lifts and rooms as a constant reminder, he said.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront has in its lobby a prominent display, using bottles of mineral water to illustrate how much water can be saved by opting to shower instead of bath.

The hotel’s infinity pool was one of the first in the city to close to prevent evaporation and unnecessary use of water. It will reopen on November 1, but with seawater instead of fresh water.