Croatia has 41 'Green Hotels'

There are currently 41 hotels in Croatia that have been issued with the "Sustainable Hotel Certificate" by the Association of Employers in Croatian Hospitality (UPUHH)".

The hotels were issued with the certificates due to their business management and application of sustainable and green business. Last year 21 hotels were issued with green certificates and mid-May this year another 20 hotels were added to that list.

'Green Hotel' certificates guarantee that the facility follows global trends in sustainable business, caring for the environment and continually developing awareness of environment protection, energy efficiency, staff training, energy and water saving, reducing CO2 emissions and so on.

UPUHH starting issuing the certificates in July 2013 after the association's director, Iva Bahunek, inspected similar certificates around the world such as Friends of Nature, Travelife, Blaue Engel and others, and then defined selection criteria for hotels to be issued with the certificate.

One of the objectives of the project is a way to promote a reduction in water costs, costs of waste disposal and at the same time improve the environment. An advantage is that this effort is recognised by future guests, Bahunek said.

It is important to raise awareness of the hotel's complete staff about green business which impacts greater motivation amongst employees and better communication with guests, she said.

(Hina)