This week eight county Mayo hotels picked up awards at the west/northwest Green Hospitality Awards held in the Westport Woods Hotel. These awards are a national programme supported by the EPA and local authorities in recognition of efforts made to improve environmental management in the hospitality sector.
The big winners on the day were three Westport Hotels wjocj each picked up gold awards. The Westport Woods Hotel, Clew Bay Hotel, and the Carlton Atlantic Coast all picked up the top award at that presentation which was held in the Westport Woods Hotel. Silver awards were handed out to Day’s Hotel Castlebar, The Castlecourt Hotel, Westport and the Westport Plaza Hotel, while Ashford Castle and Knock House Hotel each picked up bronze certificates.
Westport itself was rewarded at the ceremony as the town which combines the best hospitality and environmental excellence and picked up a special merit award for it. Maurice J Bergin who compered the awards told the winners that “this is a truly leading European environmental award that recognises the work that you all have done to make your hotels as green as possible.
“We have given out 80 awards around the country over the past few weeks. We currently have 180 members nationally, and will see this number rise over the course of the year as more hotels and guesthouses come on board to try and get the international recognition this award gives.”
Apart from making their hotels greener Mr Bergin also reminded them that great savings can be made from hotels going green. “ There was €3m in savings made by our members in 2008, cost reductions in these hard times is something that everyone is looking to do, but what better way is there than being green and saving money as well. We expect around 6.5 million people to visit Ireland in 2009, giving value for money to these guests will be an important part of attracting them, but you all now can show them that you are environmentally responsible as well as providing them with top class accommodation.”
