Green Globe announced certification of the Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg in Germany for its sustainability achievements. The hotel is one of 21 Mövenpick Hotels&Resorts in Europe that have recently been Green Globe certified. By the end of 2012, the international hospitality company of Swiss origin plans to have all its hotels certified.

Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Globe Certification, commented: “Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg has achieved a remarkable 93 percent compliance against our Standard for Sustainable Travel and Tourism. The hotel has implemented sustainable operations on all levels in an exemplary manner. The audit conducted by an accredited third-party auditor clearly showed the commitment of all staff members, who are highly informed and an integral part of the ongoing process. This is a result of the excellent E-Learning system ‘Sustainability’ that Mövenpick Hotels&Resorts has developed, which is available to the public on the company’s website. In addition, a briefing on sustainable practices is part of the daily briefing to all employees.”

Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg has conducted a 40 million euro reconstruction and restoration to save its unique cultural heritage: located in a historical water tower built in 1910, the hotel has meticulously restored its facade while developing the hotel interior with the most modern equipment and amenities. At the same time the hotel has extended its canteen and common rooms to better accommodate its employees.

Annette Hammer, Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg’s General Manager, said: “We are delighted to have received the internationally renowned Green Globe Certificate, especially since this was a true team effort. Within our various departments we constantly work on ways to improve our performance. The tourism and travel industry and today’s travelers are becoming more and more environmentally aware. As a ‘green’ hotel we have the opportunity to accommodate the needs of our guests in the best possible way.”

With an extensive sustainability management plan that clearly defines short-term and long-term goals and responsibilities, as well as an action plan, that covers waste, water, and energy reduction, the hotel measures and monitors all its sustainable activities to optimize procedures. The hotel’s purchasing policies favor local meat and bakery products to reduce emissions in transportation and support the local community. In addition, Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg screens suppliers with an online-questionnaire and chooses those with sustainable operations, as well as informs and encourages guests to provide “green” comments and suggestions through a feedback form. Guided tours of the building for schools and other community members include sustainability topics. Mövenpick Hotel Hamburg’s social commitments extend to providing meals to homeless people and delivering soup to a nursing home of the elderly once a week.