A Wellington hotel whose dedication to staying 'green' is saving it money and helping save the planet has won the New Zealand hotel sector's highest environmental accolade.

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor has won the Greenfield Hotel Industry Environmental Initiative Award 2014. It was announced at the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference dinner at the Pullman Auckland last night (Thursday, 5 June).

The hotel's 'Green Team' is responsible for a raft of conservation initiatives, including using 40 litres of food waste per week as chook feed, recycling kitchen fat into soaps, a 'switch off' policy for staff and putting sustainable fish on the menu.

“This was an outstanding entry,” says awards judge and TIA Sector Manager Hotels, Sally Attfield. “Sustainability practices are widespread through the hotel and staff are also actively involved in community initiatives, including participating in charity fundraising events and donating left-over toiletries to Wellington's City Mission.”

Awards judge Stephen Hamilton, Director of Horwath HTL, says the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor has achieved significant conservation results and financial savings as a result of its green initiatives.

“For example, it is saving approximately 46,500 litres of water annually with its 'Go Green' initiative for guests who stay more than one night and a significant reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill.”

Other winners named in the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards are:

AHS Hospitality Hotel Industry Senior Hotel Executive of the Year
Rob McIntyre, General Manager, Pullman Auckland

Service IQ Hotel Industry Outstanding Young Executive of the Year
Janelle McClintock, Reservations Yield Manager, Jet Park Hotel, Auckland

About the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference and Awards 2014

The 8th annual New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference took place at the Pullman Auckland on 5 June 2014. With over 25 international and local speakers and panellists, the event covered the major issues influencing the New Zealand hotel industry. It was also a valuable opportunity for networking and professional development for the more than 200 delegates, including hotel managements, owners, developers, bankers, lawyers, real estate firms and other industry stakeholders.

Co-hosts Horwath HTL and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) acknowledge the commitment of Platinum Sponsor Accor to this key hotel industry event.

TIA Hotel Sector
TIA's hotel sector represents the interests of over 130 members throughout New Zealand, including international chain, large independent and privately owned hotels. TIA hotel sector members employ 11,000 staff nationally, with annual revenues of more than $866 million.

For further information, please contact:

Ann-Marie Johnson
Communications Manager
Tourism Industry Association (TIA)
DDI: 04 496 5001
Mobile: 027 600 4565
Email: ann-marie.johnson@tianz.org.nz

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