Sofitel London Gatwick Celebrates Silver Medal Win from Green Tourism
Sofitel London Gatwick, the airport’s premium hotel, has been awarded a silver medal by the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) for its commitment to green policy and CSR.
The Green Tourism Award offers independent guidance to tourism businesses wishing to operate sustainably and acts as a stamp of reassurance to guests and visitors of the hotel wishing to make a conscious decision about choosing greener businesses. By rigorously assessing the hotel on criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity, the hotel’s Silver medal success celebrates an obvious commitment to a greener future and minimising its damage to the environment.
General Manager, James Berry, commented, “Sofitel London Gatwick and our management company, The Arora Group, are fully committed to sustainable tourism and minimising damage to the environment, and our Green Tourism Silver Medal is a fantastic badge of honour that we will wear proudly. We invest heavily in the energy saving resources that are available to us and see huge value training our staff on efficiency, recycling and green policy in order to meet the standards expected from us as well as providing the highest quality of service.”
Sofitel London Gatwick is supported in its green journey by Accor, Planet 21 and The Arora Group who invest in new technologies where possible to reduce waste. The hotel exceeds the standards of good practice across a range of sustainable development indicators, receiving 84% for its energy saving efforts. Examples include; the significant use of recycled products, the use of LED lighting and operating with a CHP unit, that provides highly efficient heating and hot water, whilst generating low cost, low carbon electricity. Energy and water efficiency are key issues within a hotel and Sofitel London Gatwick received 76% for its efforts towards water efficiency with Eco saving shower heads and sensor taps within public bathrooms.
Across its food and beverage operation, Head Chef David Woods is committed to sourcing as many of their products and ingredients locally and ethically, working directly with reputable suppliers such as Reeves Butchers based in Reading, Wild Harvest in Convent Garden as well as using sustainably caught fish from M&J Supply. By serving a good range of vegetarian options, less processed or intensively farmed products on the menu and even smoking and curing their fish onsite – the hotel has found effective and sustainable ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK, focusing specifically on business such as accommodation providers, visitor attractions and corporate offices.
Sofitel London Gatwick is the only premium hotel linked directly to the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport. Since taking over the hotel in 2005, management and hotel company The Arora Group - led by Chairman and Founder Surinder Arora - has firmly established the hotel as one of the finest examples of airport accommodation, with 518 spacious guest rooms, an array of restaurants and bars from the relaxed to the fine dining, conference centre with 11 versatile meeting rooms and an impressive 8th floor executive lounge overlooking the runway.
www.sofitel.com/Gatwick@SofitelLondonGA
Notes to editors
Sofitel London Gatwick
Sofitel London Gatwick is directly connected to the airport’s North Terminal - just a 3 minute walk via covered walkway - and only a short monorail ride from the South Terminal. The hotel also boasts an onsite car park for 565 vehicles, securing its popularity as a first rate Park, Rest and Fly product for leisure and business travellers using the London airport.
The Arora Group
One of the UK’s fastest growing privately-owned property companies, The Arora Group has made a name for itself through the design, construction and operation of luxury hotels, with exceptional levels of hospitality. Since its inception in 1999 the Group has diversified into other specialisms including Property and Construction.
The Arora Hotels division portfolio of 7 hotels comprises 2,920 bedrooms and 120 meeting rooms including Sofitel London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Sofitel London Gatwick (under a franchise agreement with Accor), Renaissance London Heathrow (under a franchise agreement with Marriott), Holiday Inn Heathrow Terminal 5 (under a franchise agreement with IHG), the Arora Hotel Gatwick/Crawley, Savill Court Hotel & Spa near Windsor and the forthcoming InterContinental® London – The O2, to be operated under a franchise agreement with InterContinental® Hotels Group (IHG) opening winter 2015.
The property division of The Arora Group – Arora Property – is involved in property asset and facilities management of a portfolio of landmark commercial buildings at strategic locations in London and provincial UK. The company also fulfils a Managing Agent role at Charters, one of the UK’s most exclusive residential developments.
The construction division, trading as Grove Developments specialises in commercial, residential and hospitality projects including the 453 bedroom InterContinental® London – The O2 and the adjacent Arora Tower. Grove Developments also manages design and build projects for external clients.
The Green Tourism Business Scheme
The GTBS is the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK. Businesses opting to join are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. Businesses that meet the required standard, receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement. The current network of members is comprised of a wide range of business types, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, corporate offices and others. The Green Tourism Business Scheme website has details and links to our members, partners and destinations. There is also information on the criteria, case studies, news, and background to the scheme. This information can be accessed at:
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