This compensation programme is a first for the region’s hotel industry and will be implemented at TIME Oak Hotel & Suites and TIME Grand Plaza Hotel in Dubai. It forms part of the hotel group’s sustainability strategy, which <link www.timehotels.ae - external-link>TIME Hotels</link> presented at the key industry congress for travel and tourism in the Arab region. The goal is to save more than 320 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by the end of the year.
Each guest is given the option to make a voluntary climate protection contribution at check-in. This payment offsets the emissions generated during the guest’s stay – such as from energy and water – in two high-quality myclimate climate protection projects in Ethiopia and in Darfur, Sudan.
“We aspire to sustainability in every area of our business. This initiative underlines our commitment to this goal. We will continue to play our part in reducing the carbon footprint of the United Arab Emirates”, says Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of TIME Hotels. “Environmentally-aware guests now have the option of reducing the impact of their stay on the environment at either the TIME Oak Hotel & Suites or the TIME Grand Plaza Hotel in Dubai“, he adds.
<link www.farnek.com/index.php - external-link>Farnek</link>, a myclimate partner in the UAE, supported and advised TIME Hotels throughout the entire process. Farnek calculated the amount for the voluntary contribution and assisted TIME in choosing suitable myclimate projects. Additionally, Farnek trained staff in matters of climate protection. Whilst the primary focus was on sustainable processes in the hotel itself, such as saving water and energy, Farnek also provided arguments and explanations to help convince hotel guests.
“Hotels generate CO₂ emissions, there’s no way around that. But through a public commitment to reduce its own impact on the environment, TIME Hotels truly stands out in the market and will be an excellent ambassador for sustainable hospitality”, says Sandrine Le Biavant, Director of Consulting at Farnek.