Kelowna Hotel Earns Gold as a TripAdvisor GreenLeader
Kelowna, BC (PRWEB) November 05, 2014 -- When TripAdvisor announced its new GreenLeaders program to recognize eco-friendly hotels making a difference, one Kelowna hotel was thrilled, and not just because they’d earned gold.
“We’ve been doing green initiatives for more than 20 years—long before it was popular,” says BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotels & Suites CEO and partner Greg Salloum. “But with TripAdvisor creating GreenLeaders, they’re acknowledging how important sustainable travel has become. We’re glad to be in an era where people want their travel to align with their values.”
The TripAdvisor GreenLeaders Programme showcases eco-friendly accommodations practising everything from recycling to using organic food, and earning one of four statuses: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The Kelowna Best Western, winner of dozens of green tourism awards and eco-label certificates, earned gold.
Some of the many green initiatives that helped the hotel garner gold status include:
• Grounds fertilized with Natures Gold rather than chemicals
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Silver LEED-certified 24-room environmental wing
• Energy efficient lighting and piping for heating and cooling
• Recycling boxes in rooms since 1990
• Organic bath products and bedding
• Indoor pool sanitized with mineral salt instead of chlorine
• Guest and staff education to help reduce water use and promote public transit
• Annual carbon footprint reduction of almost 300 per cent
“From a hotel standpoint, environmental stewardship is not the most economical stand to take, but for us, it is simply the right thing to do,” says Brenda Rayburn, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Best Western Kelowna Hotel. “It speaks to what we value so we find the balance we seek in the triple win: win for the guest, win for the hotel and win for our planet, without compromising quality and comfort, and, ultimately, our guests’ experience is enhanced.”
Over the years, the hotel’s efforts have garnered several environmental awards and certificates, including the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s Green Business Award, the LivClean and EcoStay Certificate, the BC Minister’s Award of Excellence for climate action and the LEED Silver Certificate for building a new 24-room environmental wing. The Kelowna Best Western has also earned the highest certification from Green Tourism Canada, another popular reputable and recognized eco-rating label.
About BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites has been offering guests a convenient launching pad to all there is to enjoy in the Okanagan. The Best Western’s amenities and extras include fibre optic Internet, a mineral pool, hot tubs, free hot breakfast buffet, fitness centre, spa, a restaurant and pub and more. With dozens of eco-tourism awards and a LEED Silver environmental wing as well as a sprawling, grassy courtyard surrounding its 176 rooms, this Best Western Plus has become one of the most popular ‘green’ and pet-friendly Kelowna hotels.
For more information, please contact:
Rosemary Paterson
General Manager
BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites
Kelowna, BC
1-250-979-6901
rosemary[at]bwkelowna[at]com
http://www.bestwesternkelownahotel.com/
Rosemary Paterson, BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites, http://www.bestwesternkelownahotel.com/, +1 (250) 860-1212, [email protected]
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