“This commitment is about more than continuously improving the environmental credentials of our hotels and meeting facilities, it’s about giving our clients a recognisable and trusted third party verification of our environmental performance,” said Alexandra Hammond, Responsible Business Manager for The Rezidor Hotel Group, UK. The Rezidor Hotel Group, the parent company of Radisson SAS, which also operates the Park Inn, Regent and newly launched Missoni hotel brands, already operates 60 eco-labelled hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Markets with well established independent labels, such as Green Tourism Business Scheme in the UK, are our focus”, said Catherine Rubbens, Director of Responsible Business for Rezidor.

“We see strong demands from our clients, as well as our hotels for eco-certifications, and believe that these labels are an increasingly important component of our overall Responsible Business Programme”.

Rezidor was one of the first hotel companies in the world to run a dedicated programme for Responsible Business, which comprises health, safety and well being for guests and staff, respect for social & ethical issues within the company, as well as a reduced impact on the environment. The group is also one of the first hotel companies to offer all guests the option to offset carbon emissions through its guest loyalty programme gold points plus.

“We are delighted to welcome Radisson SAS Hotels into the growing family of environmentally responsible businesses which make up the GTBS,” said Andrea Nicholas, spokeswoman for the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

“Research has shown that 70 per cent of tourists believe it is important for hotels to be environmentally conscious and the eco-tourism industry is growing at more than 25 per cent a year” said Andrea Nicholas of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

“It is important for consumers to be sure that businesses which claim to be environmentally responsible are doing what they claim and not just paying lip service to the idea. The GTBS was established 11 years ago to provide a trustworthy green accreditation scheme in which consumers can feel confident

”We send out a qualified independent assessor every two years to carry out a full environmental check to make sure standards are kept and provide ongoing support and advice for members,” said Ms Nicholas.

“Radisson SAS is the latest internationally renowned business to recognise the importance of independent assessments. With some 2,000 members GTBS is now the leading provider of independently assessed environmental accreditation in the world”.