Eco-luxury certification gains ground with The Hay-Adams Hotel

A few months ago, Sustainable Travel International (STI) launched its newest certification label, the Luxury Certification Standard (LECS), to highlight the best and “greenest” hotels of the more “discerning” variety while helping the properties create and implement a measurable sustainability framework.

Now eight months later, the first LECS certification has been awarded to the Hay-Adams in Washington D.C. Operated by luxury brand Leading Hotels of the World, the Hay-Adams is the first hotel in the world to pass STI’s onsite inspection.

“We are extremely proud to be the first hotel to receive this certification,” said Hans Bruland, general manager of The Hay-Adams. “Until now, there hasn’t been a globally-recognized program to suit the needs of a five-star luxury hotel operator.  LECS has afforded us the opportunity to make real changes and significantly reduce our carbon footprint all while preserving the guest experience.”

In an ongoing effort to encourage green practices and social responsibility among its portfolio of independently-owned hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World played a significant role in propelling the initiative.

Back in 2007, Leading Hotels and STI’s paired up to launch Leading Green – a carbon management and offset program completely funded by Leading Hotels – a groundbreaking global initiative to support responsible travel within the luxury hospitality industry.

“The impact this program has made on the hotel from an operations and efficiency standpoint is massive,” continued Bruland, “however, it is even more satisfying to hear the feedback from staff members who have begun to embrace sustainable practices into their personal lives as a result of our investment in this program.”

People, Planet and Profit

LECS is the first and only voluntary, global certification program of its kind.  Focusing on Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet and Profit), the comprehensive standard aligns with impending global accreditation through the Tourism Stewardship Council.

In order to become LECS certified, hotels must undergo a preliminary desk audit, complimented by an on-site, third-party assessment handled by LQA.   The process of becoming a LECS eco-certified hotel is challenging and requires a serious commitment on behalf of the hotel applicant, and The Hay-Adams displayed a high level of dedication from day one (many other Leading Hotels are either currently in the documentation or inspection phase of the LECS process).

Sustainable luxury gaining ground

With sustainable tourism on the rise, consumer and corporate demand for green hotels growing.

Leading Hotels’ partnership between STI, the global non-profit leader in providing sustainable travel solutions for the tourism industry and consumers, and Leading Quality Assurance (LQA), a joint venture of Leading Hotels that specializes in providing quality assurance audits, benchmarking analysis and training services to the luxury hospitality industry.

Together, they created a model for the innovative program, dubbed “100 Steps to Sustainability” with the areas of evaluation broken into five sections: policy and documentation; energy conservation; water conservation; recycling; and community.

Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, the fusion of these five components will reduce long-term operating costs, and create customer and employee good will.

“In our three years partnering with Leading Hotels we have watched them grow leaps and bounds in respect to deepening their understanding and commitment to responsible tourism,” said Brian T. Mullis, President of Sustainable Travel International.  “We developed LECS to fill a void in the market at the request of Leading Hotels and LQA.  It is very exciting to witness The Hay-Adams’ transformation into a LECS certified hotel, and I am truly confident that other luxury hotel brands will follow suit.”

Hotels interested in pursuing LECS certification, can visit www.leadingquality.com or www.ecocertification.org.  For more information about Leading Green, visit www.lhwgreen.com.