Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar plans for a sustainable future

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Nestled on the shoreline of the Arabian Gulf lies Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar, a true getaway that awaits families, couples and corporate travellers alike. The resort features contemporary and spacious deluxe villas and facilities include a private lagoon beach, a wellness centre and restaurants offering a variety of excellent dining options.

Green Globe recently recertified Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar for the fourth consecutive year. The resort is committed to being the best in sustainable development and operations. It recognises the importance of reducing its carbon footprint by ensuring current practices are measured and evaluated, and effective environmental policies are implemented.

A comprehensive audit was undertaken by FARNEK, Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East. The property has reduced energy usage by 3.55% compared to 2015 figures. Outdoor lighting has been replaced with energy efficient lighting and timers fitted. Future actions will see the replacement of existing lighting with LEDs inside villas and landscaped areas while solar panels will be installed to provide power for streetlights and hot water in villas and kitchens. To encourage energy saving practices and awareness amongst staff and guests, eye-catching stickers are placed under switches and water saving devices in public areas and washrooms.

Water consumption has decreased by 4.03% compared to 2015 and a sewage treatment plant (STP) processes wastewater that is used for irrigating landscaped areas. The property currently has a waste management program in place that handles the recycling of materials such as plastic, paper, cooking oils and aluminium cans. Planning is also underway to convert food waste into compost for landscaping in the future.

Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar coordinates various social initiatives throughout the year. To give back to the community, the resort held a charity event that was organised together with the Ministry of Social Services. Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar provided a day of fun activities and lunch for twenty-five orphans and handicapped people and thirty young women who are physically challenged. The most recent event, held last month, was organised by the resort’s Green Team. Under the leadership of the Resort Manager, Mr. Naseer T. Thodi, a Tree and Vegetable Planting activity with staff took place within the resort grounds to highlight the benefits of sustainability.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, an international upscale hotel management company with over 16,000 staff members, is represented in 24 countries with 83 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers currently in operation. Around 20 properties are planned or under construction, including those in Chiang Mai (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia) and Nairobi (Kenya).

Focusing on expanding within its core markets of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts specialises in business and conference hotels, as well as holiday resorts, all reflecting a sense of place and respect for their local communities. Of Swiss heritage and with headquarters in central Switzerland (Baar), Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is passionate about delivering premium service and culinary enjoyment – all with a personal touch. Committed to supporting sustainable environments, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has become the most Green Globe-certified hotel company in the world.

The hotel company is owned by Mövenpick Holding (66.7%) and the Kingdom Group (33.3%). For more information, please visit movenpick.com

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit greenglobe.com

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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