Hospitality Sector In Clare, Limerick And Kerry Goes Green For Fáilte AwardHospitality Sector In Cla

Over a dozen businesses from across Kerry, Clare and Limerick will be represented at the inaugural event, which will honour those in the hospitality sector that have demonstrated a commitment to quality and service in the area of environmental protection.

The Green Fáilte Award is Ireland's first environmental award scheme for the hospitality sector. Hospitality Solutions Consulting (HSC) Ltd and Clean Technology Centre coordinate the scheme, in conjunction with the Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Office. Shannon Development's Regional Tourism Authority is sponsoring the upcoming awards event.

The participants in the scheme are Doonbeg Lodge, Dromoland Castle (County Clare), the Dingle Skelligs Hotel, Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney Plaza Hotel, The Moorings in Portmagee, Killarney Towers Hotel, the River Island Hotel in Castleisland (County Kerry), Adare Manor, Castletroy Park Hotel, Greenpark Racecourse, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel in Adare and the Quality Hotel (County Limerick).

"The Green Fáilte Award shows that your business is committed to the environment, through the implementation of an environmental management system, and that you and your staff strive to provide the best possible environment for your customers and community in general", explained Philippa King, Regional Waste Coordinator for the Regional Waste Management Office.

Ms. King added, "The involvement of 14 businesses from Kerry, Clare and Limerick, since the award scheme was first introduced in February of this year, is a testament to the local hospitality sector's environmental awareness and the desire to respond to the changing attitudes of their customers. The Regional Waste Management Office is delighted to be involved in this worthy scheme, which will hopefully help to convince other hotels, restaurants, pubs, B&B's and other tourism operators to go green."

The Green Fáilte Award is granted based on performance in Environmental Management Systems, Waste Management, Water management and Energy management. Green Fáilte participants undergo audits, which ensure that the hospitality business is meeting its requirements and is acting responsibly with respect to the environment.

The Green Fáilte Award has four levels: Bronze (Introductory), Silver (Good Practice in operation), Gold (Generally Best Practice in operation) and Platinum (World Class Performance). The categories are designed to allow companies move at their own pace but also to start the process. Platinum Award winners will be positioned to move towards achieving the EU Flower Accreditation level.

According to Mr. Maurice Bergin of Hospitality Solutions Consulting (HSC), "The upcoming awards event will determine each participant’s commitment to environmental best practice and whether it has successfully completed the Green Fáilte Award programme."

He continued, "The benefits for participants in embracing the concept of this programme are significant. For example, they can reduce energy, waste & water costs by up to 40%. Being environmentally-friendly is also a good selling point for any business."

"The Green Fáilte Award requires continual improvement and a real commitment to the environment. If the hospitality business fails to continually improve, meet with the standards or does not act responsibly, the Green Fáilte Award can be withdrawn", concluded Mr. Bergin.

The Green Fáilte Award was developed by Cork County Council and the Clean Technology Centre, CIT in the late 1990's in order to facilitate hotels and restaurants to improve their environmental performance. However, economic considerations then were not the same as the present day and the concept lay idle. The Award Scheme was revitalised in 2003 and re-launched in 2004 with its first Award Winners. The Award can now be seen in hotels, restaurants, and bars throughout Cork, Waterford, Carlow and shortly across Clare, Limerick and Kerry.

The Green Fáilte Awards 2007 will be announced at Adare Manor Hotel, Limerick on Wednesday 5th December from 2pm to 5pm.

For more on the Green Fáilte Award Scheme see www.greenfailteaward.ie. For further information on the Limerick Clare Kerry Regional Waste Management Office log on to www.managewaste.ie. Limerick, Clare and Kerry County Councils, and Limerick City Council fund the Regional Waste Management Office.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor
- Philippa King, Regional Waste Coordinator for the Regional Waste Management Office and/or Maurice Bergin of Hospitality Solutions Consulting (HSC) are available for interview and further comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Members of the media are invited to attend the upcoming awards ceremony. Directions may be found a www.adaremanor.ie/directions_adare_manor.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)