The Palace in Sliema has again received the ECO certification award by the Malta Tourism Authority for the next two years. The certification is essential, being the national scheme for guaranteeing the environmental, socioeconomic and cultural sustainability of hotels on the Maltese Islands and has been recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council as fully reflecting the GSTC criteria.

Furthermore, this certification respects a number of environmental practices that The Palace has implemented over the years in its constant effort to protect the environment and improve the hotel’s corporate social responsibility programme.

In order to be eligible for the award the hotel had to achieve several standards, including the sustainability management system, waste management, control of chemical, air quality, noise, local culture and natural surroundings and communication with customers among other points.

An audit by a third party is done every two years to confirm that the hotel is meeting the required criteria.

The Palace manager Kevin Callus said that the hotel guarantees that guests enjoys a pleasant, safe and responsible stay while respecting and maintaining the natural habitat of our islands.

“We are delighted to attain this certification as ‘green’ operations will affect in several direct benefits that our hotel is furthering from, including lower energy and water consumption, waste reduction, reduction of purchasing costs and higher profitability. Consequently, all these benefits will lead to an augmented customer satisfaction and fulfilment when staying at The Palace,” said Mr Callus.

This scheme was launched by the MTA in 2002 and today represents approximately 16 per cent of hotel accommodation or 22 hotels and seven farmhouses in Gozo.