The Considerate Hoteliers Association (CHA) has announced brand new categories for its prestigious ‘Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2008’ �" open to all hotels and guest-houses in the UK, with a closing date for entries of 31 January 2009.

For the first time, the CHA’s highly acclaimed annual awards include the ‘Green Team of the Year’ and the ‘Green Champion of 2008’ categories, in addition to its traditional highest accolade ‘The Considerate Hotel of the Year’ award for the best all-round environmental performance �" currently held by The Cavendish London.

Commenting on the awards, Liam Lambert �" Chairman of the Considerate Hoteliers Association and Director of Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said: “If being green equates to having fun, motivating teams and celebrating success, the 2008 CHA awards are the ones for today’s UK hoteliers and guest-house owners. This year, the ‘Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards’ offer up the opportunity to do so much more than celebrate energy, waste and cost reductions. They recognise and reward those people in individual hotels and our industry who have been so central to delivering those achievements.”

CHA Association Secretary John Firrell added: “The three 2008 CHA award categories offer entrants the chance to flex their environmental and social responsibility muscles, to play to their strengths and to tell the world what they have achieved. There is no black art in any of the categories (only green) and all are well within the grasp of most responsible hotels and hoteliers, who deserve recognition for their sterling efforts in helping make this planet more sustainable and better place for future generations.”

The 2008 Considerate Hotelier Awards will be presented at a special gala lunch at The Cavendish London Hotel on Monday, 27 April 2009, to the winners of the following three categories:

• ‘The Considerate Green Team of the Year’: presented to the hotel or guest-house which, in the opinion of the judges, has �" by virtue of the work undertaken by their Green Team �" made the most difference in 2008. What’s more, they will have had fun doing so. Green teams come in all shapes and sizes; and the award could be won by a dedicated lean and green team of just two people.

• ‘The Considerate Green Champion of the Year’: presented to the individual, nominated by fellow hoteliers, who by sheer dedication has inspired others to raise the green standard. The individual may exist in a specific hotel, guest-house or within the hotel industry generally �" whoever they may be, CHA wants to know so they can be properly recognised

• The main award ‘The Considerate Hotel of the Year’: presented to the hotel or guest-house that is considered by the judges to be the best all-rounder re: succeeding in a wide range of environmental initiatives, from energy and water conservation, waste reduction and support for sustainable food, to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In short, they will need to demonstrate that they run their business ethically and with a conscience and hopefully a profit to become the ultimate Considerate Hotel for 2008.

Full details of the ‘2008 Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards’, including entry forms and timing details, can be found on the CHA website:

ConsiderateHoteliers.com

Valere Tjolle