Gozo luxury hotel, Malta
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The impact we have on the environment today is having a detrimental effect on our planet for future generations. It’s our responsibility to care for our planet and to pass it on to future generations in good condition.
Hotel Ta’ Cenc & Spa is committed to reducing the environmental and social impacts of all its activities. Our goal is to create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment. We are committed to sustainable development, specifically the protection and regeneration of both the environment and communities in which we operate. Through the development and implementation of our Environmental Management System, we are committed to monitoring and continually improving our sustainability.
Our Environmental Management Programme and has established the following targets to be met during operations by 2013:
to reduce resource consumption and waste generation by responsible purchasing policies, reuse, recycling and composting programmes
to responsibly manage energy use, to conserve and to seek renewable energy sources
to responsibly manage and protect water resources
to preferentially purchase local, environmentally friendly, socially responsible products, especially organic and fair trade products
to strictly avoid the use of animal products derived using unnecessarily cruel or environmentally destructive production methods or those derived from any endangered species
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
Housekeeping
Guest rooms are equipped with cards/signage which gives guests the option to reuse items instead of having them replaced daily
Housekeepers are instructed to check that lights, radios, and televisions are turned off in unoccupied rooms
Mini-bars are maintained by dusting the refrigeration coils
Barely used soap, individual shampoos, and other amenities are collected for donation to various charities and/or staff
Unused toilet paper rolls are collected for reuse in associate areas of hotel
Disposable batteries are used where possible and spent ones are collected for special disposal
75% of pressurized aerosol cans have been eliminated and replaced with hand pump dispensers refilled from bulk/concentrated solutions
Cleaning products are non-toxic, non-phosphate, biodegradable, and concentrated
Housekeeping staff are instructed not to leave taps running while cleaning guest rooms
Housekeepers are trained to report all dripping faucets and leaking equipment to the Maintenance department
Purchasing
Preference is given to vendors that reclaim and reuse packaging materials
Products are purchased in bulk to reduce packaging and transportation emissions
Energy Star rated equipment is selected when possible
Food and Beverage Services
Appliances are regularly cleaned and serviced (including air filters, air ducts, fans and burners)
Exhaust fans are sized to meet code requirements (i.e. not oversized) and regularly cleaned
Dishwashers are always filled to capacity
Minimized opening and closing times for walk-in freezer/refrigerator doors to conserve energy
Freezer/refrigerator motors, thermometers, and other equipment are regularly checked, serviced, and defrosted to ensure efficient operation
Lighting in the restaurant and food services areas are high energy efficiency light bulbs
Kitchen staff are instructed not to waste water and energy by thawing frozen food under running water
Pressurized aerosols have been replaced with reusable hand pump dispensers
Grease traps are regularly treated with a biodegradable cleaner
Old refrigeration is properly disposed of to prevent the release of ozone depleting CFCs
Locally grown produce is used wherever possible
Organic, seasonal and/or sustainable catering menu choices are available
Guestrooms
Memo pads are made from FSC certified paper
Guestroom Directory is printed on FSC certified paper
Guest amenity products are all natural with biodegradable bottles
Guests are encouraged to participate in towel/linen reuse program
Consumable paper products are made from post-consumer recycled content
LCD televisions use 30% less energy than standard models
LED light bulbs have been installed in the guestrooms which consume 75% less power than incandescent bulbs
Picture frames showing Flora & Fauna found on Ta’ Cenc Plateau
Offices
All stationary, printed material, internal forms, etc.. are printed on FSC certified paper
All photocopiers, fax machines and printers are set to execute a power save mode
Any leftover paper from printing jobs is collected and recycled
Office A4 paper is used double-sided
50% of note pads, napkins, office paper, and other paper products are purchased with a minimum of 30% recycled content
Community
Guests are provided with samples of local products such as oil, wine, honey etc., made by locals and members of the staff, which also can be purchased from the hotel.
Local gastronomy buffet nights with folklore groups are done at least once a week. Visits to the local shepherd, guided walks, horse riding, culture tours etc., are available with local guides and local transport.
We encourage our guests to visit local attractions, eat in local restaurants, buy local produce and use local services. All our current staffs are employed locally, and we support the local businesses by buying local produce from the nearby farms for the guests and our meals. We also use local services such as builders / electricians / plumbers for the maintenance of the property
In the accommodation there’s an extensive information file with local history, culture, things to do and visits in the area plus a list of restaurants, bars and mini-market that are in the village, where one can have a coffee, dine and do their shopping.
The hotel has recently set up projects in the village council to conserve the local traditions and to encourage young people to participate and interact with the visitors.
The EU recently designated Ta’ Cenc habitat as a Special Area for Conservation under the European Natura 2000 network. The network dates back to 1991 and protects the most important wildlife areas and species in Europe. It also aims to keep the planet habitable and beautiful, encouraging richness in the food, energy, wood, raw materials, clean air and clean water that make life possible and which drive our economy. However it also looks to ensure our natural environment for less tangible things such as aesthetic pleasure, artistic inspiration and recreation.
Ta’ Cenc is one of 25,000 protected areas within the EU Member States, which essentially safe guards the vast array of endemic, and sometimes unique, species found in this lush natural region.
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