Anantaya wins at Green Hotel Awards 2014

Tuesday, 11 November 2014 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Anantaya Resorts & Spa won an award for energy and water conservation and waste management at the inaugural Green Hotel Awards 2014. The awards ceremony was held recently in Negombo along with the 49th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL). Anantaya received a Merit award in recognition of its 360° approach towards energy and water conservation and waste management, amid competition from nearly 40 hotels which took part in the event.

The management of Anantaya has invested heavily in sophisticated equipment, facilities and technology to ensure adherence to best practices in sustainability initiatives and this award is a testament to the success of these efforts. The hotel has also focused on empowering employees to be conscious of environmental sustainability while inspiring guests to ‘go green’ by providing them with green products and services. For the purpose of energy conservation, the hotel boasts a hybrid system of wind and solar energy and a ‘green zone’ inside the hotel which is an area run purely on renewable energy from the hybrid system. On a more fundamental level, the architectural design of the hotel itself takes the maximum advantage of natural light and ventilation and, combined with various other energy saving practices, keep energy consumption to a minimum. Anantaya promotes the theme ‘Water is Life’ and raises awareness on water recycling and reuse where possible. The hotel’s water recycling plant was constructed with an investment of over Rs. 100 million and each day recycles over 40% of the hotel’s waste water. There are several other appliances designed to conserve water which contribute to the overall reduction in consumption.

The waste management system of Anantaya is designed to ensure responsible disposal and management of waste. Recyclable materials are sold to third party recyclers, while reusable waste is utilised for other purposes. Furthermore, the hotel sources products which use fewer materials, or which can be reused and recycled, and are bio degradable or renewable. THASL, the apex body of the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, organises ‘Green Hotel Awards’ with the objective of recognising the sustainability practices adopted by both member and non-member hotel firms. The awards ceremony is a continuation of the Greening Hotel awards scheme initiated by the European Union. Anantaya Resorts and Spa is owned by the diversified conglomerate Laugfs Holdings’ subsidiary Laugfs Leisure and is located on a secluded and pristine part of the Chilaw beach. It is the first venture in to the upmarket hospitality industry by Laugfs and the wide range of offerings available have positioned the hotel as an irrefutable option for travellers on the lookout for luxury accommodation in Chilaw.