Press release - Taba Heights

Following a successful pilot scheme in flagship town El Gouna, the Green Star Hotel Initiative has picked Taba Heights as its next green destination.

The awards scheme is the first of its kind to be designed specifically for hotels in Egypt. Hotels are awarded Green Stars for successfully improving their environmental performance, saving valuable resources and cutting down on waste.

The rating system is based on criteria set out by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and a range of environmental organisations. The scheme concentrates on environmental management, water and energy use and staff training, among other requirements. Hotels can achieve three, four or five star ratings depending on the initiatives put in place and maintained over a given period.

As well as focusing on the big projects to improve their environmental credentials, hotels all over Taba Heights have been introducing ways the staff can reduce their individual carbon footprints. One such scheme, run by the Marriott Hotel, is well on track providing staff, including General Manager Jan Heesbeen, with bicycles for transport.

The resort towns of El Gouna and Taba Heights, as part of Orascom Development (OD), both have a commitment to conserving the environment and work with local hotels, businesses, residents and visitors to maintain, protect and preserve the areas they inhabit.

As well as the Green Star Hotel Certification, El Gouna has received several Green Globes.

Throughout the year, El Gouna and Taba Heights actively promote environmental initiatives, education, recycling, clean up campaigns (terrestrial and underwater) and the strict enforcement of environmental standards and guidelines.