The industry leading 'green' credentials of Macdonald Hotels
& Resorts were recognised last night (24 September) when the
UK's largest privately owned hotel group scooped the
prestigious2012 - 2013 AA Eco-Hotel Group of the Yearaward at the
AA annual hospitality awards event held at London Hilton Park
Lane.
The leading hotel group, with a portfolio of over 40 hotels and
resorts throughout the UK and Spain, has been committed since 2007
to implementing group wide energy savings and sound environmental
practices.
The hotel group has established a dedicated Energy Committee to
ensure it meets its 'Room 15' objective of reducing its electricity
and fossil fuel usage by 15% by 2015. Every hotel has a
'Green Team' and a 'Green Champion' to take ownership of
environmental issues at their hotel.
Gordon Fraser, Group Finance Director of Macdonald Hotels &
Resorts and Chair of the Room15 Energy Committee, commented: "To be
awarded2012-2013 AA Eco-Hotel Group of the Year, sponsored by
British Gas Business, is a truly immense and proud achievement for
all at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, including our discerning
guests and suppliers.
"This prestigious award will further motivate our green teams to
achieve our ambitious energy efficiency targets by 2015 and
underlines our group-wide focus and reputation as a successful,
forward-thinking and quality driven business."
In the past year Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has re-diverted
89% of overall waste from landfill and is further investigating
ways of converting food waste on site. CO2 emissions
have been reduced over the estate by 9.06%.
Over the past twelve months over £700,000 has been invested in
various energy saving projects. This includes switching to LED
lights in 5 hotels, an initiative that has achieved savings of over
852 tonnes CO2 emissions.
The2012 - 2013 AA Eco-Hotel Group of the Yearaward comes after a
string of environmental accolades. In 2011 Macdonald Hotels
& Resorts was recognised for its commitment to reducing its
carbon footprint with the prestigiousCarbon Trust Standard. In the
last few months they also received theMenu Innovation and
Development Award for the Best Breakfastbased on their commitment
to source produce locally.
Macdonald Windsor Hotel also picked up a prestigious accolade at
the awards receiving a coveted 4 Red Star status in recognition of
the consistently high levels of hospitality and service. The Rocca
Bar & Grill within Macdonald Rusacks Hotel in St Andrews was
awarded three AA Rosettes for its critically acclaimed restaurant,
while Aiden Byrne, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts restaurant
partner at Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel, won AA Restaurant of the
Year for his restaurant at Church Green Lymm.
