Palma hotels go green
Palma de Mallorca becomes the first Coastal Destination to Implement UNWTO Energy Initiative
SEE VISION INTERVIEW with Dolores Ordonez of Playa de Palma
The agreement, signed by UNWTO Executive Director, Márcio Favilla, and the President of the Palma Municipal Tourism Institute (IMTUR), Ms. Joana María Borràs, represents a recognition and contribution to Palma’s effort in building a sustainable destination. This UNWTO-led initiative aims to help small and medium sized hotels across the European Union to increase their use of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Palma’s commitment to environmentally friendly tourism was confirmed when it became the first city to implement the UNWTO Davos Declaration on Tourism and Climate Change – urging the tourism sector to adopt sustainable practices – through its campaign, ‘Palma, Responsible Tourism’.
“We are delighted to join hands with Palma in its major undertaking of renewing itself as a sustainable tourism destination of the highest level. Palma will be the first coastal destination to join the HES project and this is no surprise given its commitment to a strong sustainability agenda” said Mr. Favilla.
“Thanks to the Hotel Energy Solutions project, hotels in Palma will be able to reduce their operational costs while increasing competitiveness, promoting sustainability and mitigating the sector’s impact on climate change,” said Ms. Borràs.
Palma de Majorca, one of Europe’s major coastal destinations, will join three other HES pilot destinations covering mountain, urban and rural destinations: Haute-Savoie (France), Bonn (Germany), and Strandja (Bulgaria).
The HES project aims at increasing energy efficiency in the European Union small and medium hotels by 20% and the use of renewable energy by 10%. The HES e-toolkit will permit participating hotels to assess their energy use and decide on the most advantageous technology investments. Investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies can deliver significant returns, while reducing hotels’ carbon footprint.
The e-toolkit will be made available free of charge at the beginning of 2011 to all accommodation units registered with the project. UNWTO invites all European Union accommodation proprietors to join the Hotel Energy Solutions initiative by providing their details on the project’s website: www.hotelenergysolutions.net.
More information on the UNWTO Davos Process: www.UNWTO.org/climate/index.php
More information on Sustainable Tourism: www.unwto.org/sdt/index.php
Valere Tjolle
Get free sustainable tourism reports from Vision on Sustainable Tourism HERE
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suitewww.travelmole.com/stories/1143624.php
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026