06 August 2024
The journey towards this accolade began over a decade ago, as James Barr, the General Manager of The Wesley, explains: "We started to join accreditations in 2010 with ISO 14001 and, in 2012, we joined Green Tourism – we have been regularly audited and assessed since."
Green Tourism, despite its name, encompasses more than just environmental considerations. James notes, "Although they call it green tourism, it's looking at the community, social impacts as well as green ones." This holistic approach to sustainability is reflected in The Wesley's comprehensive strategy.
The certification process is rigorous, examining various aspects of the hotel's operations. It covers every angle of the business. Even if there is always room for improvement, the hotel is sustainable with LED and energy-saving lighting, sustainable pieces of furniture, a new more efficient boiler was installed and their energy suppliers are companies using 100% renewable energies.
Key areas of assessment include waste management, utility usage efficiency and sourcing practices. The hotel has implemented recycling policies, including for food waste, and has systems in place to mitigate the usage of resources with negative carbon impacts.
Precious Sweta, Deputy GM, Sales & Marketing, elaborates on the criteria: "For the Chemicals section, we checked how environmentally friendly our cleaning products are, how we store them and how members of staff use them." This attention to detail extends to the hotel's supply chain, with a focus on supporting smaller, local businesses.
Community engagement is another crucial aspect of The Wesley's sustainability efforts. The hotel serves as a drop-off point for the Camden FoodBank and sponsors the WWF to support panda conservation. These initiatives demonstrate The Wesley's commitment to both local and global causes.
Internal communication plays a vital role in maintaining sustainable practices. The hotel has established a Green team that meets monthly to discuss innovations and create awareness within the company. As James explains, "Their role is to come up with initiatives and create awareness in the company to put in place good habits."
The Wesley also prioritises guest engagement in their sustainability efforts. Precious mentions, "We share this awareness with our guests, we have messages on recycling, waste and recycling bins, notably in our meeting rooms."
Importantly, The Wesley's approach to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to encompass social responsibility as the Green Tourism certification also assesses the organisation's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity. James adds, "We have a very diverse workforce, which is a big strength."
The achievement of the Green Tourism award is not just a feather in The Wesley's cap, it represents a broader commitment to ethical business practices. As James puts it, "The main thing is that we surround the business in an ethical way, responsible way and sustainable way."
In an era where sustainable tourism is increasingly important, The Wesley Hotel in Camden stands as a shining example of how hospitality businesses can operate responsibly while maintaining high standards of service. Their Green Tourism award is a testament to their ongoing efforts and serves as inspiration for others in the industry to follow suit.