Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel receives Gold for going green

The stylishly grand and perfectly majestic, Southern Sun The Cullinan hotel has proven that a luxury hotel can operate seamlessly while adhering to environmentally friendly practices. Complementing the rich, cultural heritage of Cape Town through timeless architecture, the opulent décor creates a mood that is a world-away-from-home, while service and attention to detail ensure your every need is taken care of – in a “green” fashion.

This magnificent hotel in Cape Town recently achieved the coveted Gold Heritage Status through the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme. Developed using seven international environmental management systems and ISO 14000, the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme is one of the top three environmental management programmes in the tourism industry worldwide. It is recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and is an integral part of the annual Fedhasa Imvelo Awards, which recognises and rewards sustainable and responsible tourism in Southern Africa.

Southern Sun The Cullinan hotel was awarded the esteemed Gold Heritage Status following a stringent audit conducted in August this year, during which the environmental impact of the establishment’s current operations, technology and systems, as well as its environmental practices, were scrutinised. An overall score of 82% indicates the level of excellence Southern Sun The Cullinan achieved in establishing sustainable environmental management practices in areas such as procurement, resource and waste management and extending environmental awareness and responsibility to staff, business partners and guests.

“At Southern Sun Hotels we are committed to integrating leading environmental practices and sustainability principles into our core business strategy, thereby ensuring balance between our economic, social and environmental needs. We will therefore continue to lead the way and work tirelessly to reduce or manage our impacts and to actively contribute to a more sustainable society”, says Graham Wood, Managing Director of Southern Sun Hotels.

The Cullinan hotel’s efforts also extend beyond its own operations. “We encourage and empower our business partners, ranging from suppliers to tour operators, to underpin and support the hotel’s efforts. Suppliers are requested to complete environmental declaration forms and are encouraged to change or re-use packaging to reduce waste. Additionally the enthusiasm and momentum amongst the hotel’s staff members are maintained through an induction programme and regular feedback sessions”, says Ravi Nadasen, General Manager at Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the Heritage Gold Status and will continue to implement various environmentally friendly initiatives and in so doing contribute effectively to preserving our heritage for generations to come,” concludes Ravi.