Cristal Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hospitality company, said it will continue to lead corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Abu Dhabi as part of its plan to become one of the most environment-friendly hotels in the region.

Cristal Hotel Abu Dhabi has been commended for being the first hotel in the emirate to implement the guidelines imposed by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s Environment Health and Safety Management System (EHSM), which applies to all hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate.

The EHSMS policy was introduced in 2006 to ensure excellence in the management and protection of the environment, health and safety through key partnerships between the government and private sectors.

The hotel is an active member of another ADTA initiative, the ‘Green Hotels’ program, which sets targets for reducing energy and water consumption and waste production. It is also a member of the Emirates Environmental Group and has taken part in the organization’s various recycling campaigns, said a top official.

'Our industry is a major consumer of energy and water and one of the highest producers of waste within the service sector, so we can make a big difference by adopting better resource management strategies,' said Peter Blackburn, CEO of Cristal Hotels and Resorts.

'Our community influence goes beyond the environment as well; the nature of our businesses enables us to encourage and mobilize people of all walks of life to support charitable works and help improve society. We are committed to becoming an example of how CSR can positively impact the lives of people and provide greater fulfillment to companies that engage in it,' he added.

According to Blackburn, Cristal regularly trains its staff on environmental responsibility and resource conservation.

It also segregates the wastes produced by its offices, staff accommodation, and food production and service areas and recycles “One Ton” of solid waste every week.

It has participated in several notable CSR activities over the last few months, including the Terry Fox Run for cancer patients, Earth Hour, and the Clean Up UAE Campaign. It plans to meet with surrounding businesses on the collaborative implementation of recycling and other green initiatives, he added.

Located at the heart of the UAE capital’s business district, the four star hotel offers 192 rooms and suites, food and beverage outlets, a business center and meeting rooms, underground parking, and leisure and lifestyle amenities such as the Cristal Spa, an indoor pool, state of the art gymnasium, sauna/steam rooms and a beauty salon.-TradeArabia News Service