Alila Jabal Akhdar, a luxury hotel in Oman, has been awarded LEED Silver Certification in the Building Design and Construction rating system for New Construction by the US Green Building Council.

Developed by the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), Alila Jabal Akhdar is the first development in Oman to obtain the prestigious international LEED certification and represents a milestone achievement for the development of infrastructure in the sultanate.

LEED certification is recognised across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building. To receive the LEED certification, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, building projects require multiple energy saving and environmental criteria to be met including; sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.

Alila Jabal AKhdar, has been awarded for its focused objective to maximise the use of local materials in the construction phase and minimise the ongoing energy usage footprint in the long term. The resort incorporates various eco-friendly elements such as innovative water treatment facilities for use in irrigation, solar panels that provides up to 60 per cent of the energy required for hot water supply and energy saving lighting and thermal control systems. During the development phase, the construction team implemented an ongoing policy of pollution prevention and a recycling scheme through the re-use of local building materials in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Mark Edleson, president of Alila Hotels and Resorts, said: “A sound environment is essential to social wellbeing and business sustainability. We are proud to be partnering Omran in this meaningful quest. At Alila, our vision is to integrate natural conservation, community and commerce hence our green efforts extend to and beyond the operational aspects so that we can make a positive impact on the community - economically, socially and culturally.”

Wael Al Lawati, CEO of Omran, said: "We are proud that the resort is the first development in Oman to achieve this LEED certification and to be recognised internationally for its sustainability credentials. The vision of sustainability for Alila Jabal Akhdar goes beyond the architectural design and construction phase, it also reflects the guiding principles of Omran, as well as the day to day operation and management of the resort which is cantered on the principles of sustainability and environmental safety.

Nestled in the breath-taking Jabal Akhdar area, 2,000-m above sea level in the western Al Hajar Mountain range, the five-star resort is a quality addition to the high-end tourist destinations in the Gulf region, a catalyst for further developments in this part of the sultanate. The resort features 86 suites of varied categories and spaces, a first of its kind Omani spa, meeting facilities, restaurants as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. – TradeArabia News Service