THREE GOLD RANKINGS BY ECOTOURISM KENYA TAKE SERENA TO THE TOP
(Posted 28th May 2016)
Following the latest audit carried out by Ecotourism Kenya did news emerge that Serena Hotels now holds three Gold Level rankings for their Kenyan properties.
The green label, regionally recognized as the leading such home grown platform but not yet adopted by other countries in the East African Community, is the benchmark provider for sustainable business practices and the most sought after accreditation when it comes to going green and staying green.
The Serena Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa has for the first time now attained the Gold Level Eco-rating Certification after an assessment carried out by Ecotourism Kenya and the Eco-rating Technical Committee. This is the third Serena property in Kenya to be so classified. Through added injection of green technology and best environmental practices has the Ol Pejeta based Sweetwaters Serena Camp for its second consecutive year retained its Gold level Eco-rating certification. Serena’s third Gold Label certified property, the Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp still holds this current certification until the next audit is due.
2016 has so far turned out to be very rewarding for Serena Hotels as it has not been even a month since Serena Hotels received the Africa’s Leading Green Hotel 2016 Award recognizing the Nairobi Serena Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2016.
Ecotourism, as with sustainable development and business practices is dynamic and must respond to the changing environmental, socio and economic trends. Serena Hotels, according to the group’s business philosophy, believes that irresponsible tourism must be consigned to the past as the discerning traveler of today is committed to ensuring that the hotels they stay at contribute in a sustainable and sensitive manner towards the eco-system, culture and national heritage of the destination. Mr. Mahmud Jan Mohamed, Managing Director of Serena Hotels said: ‘At Serena Hotels, Ecotourism and Corporate Social Responsibility means corporate culture, a culture which holds the Company’s responsibility not only for making profit, but also for the conditions under which profits are made. Finding a balance between financial success, social responsibility and protecting the environment is a fundamental approach that lies at the heart of Serena Hotels corporate culture and is reflected in our corporate values’.
The Ecotourism Kenya certification is awarded through an annual assessment exercise which rates the facilities compliance to ecotourism principles and best practices. The monitoring is carried out annually to ensure continued improvement. Serena Hotels CEO was swift to thank each member of the Serena team for the support and exemplary dedication on the ecotourism and sustainable business practices front which has enabled the company, the only hospitality group in East Africa listed on all three main stock exchanges, to continue to receive recognition in the form of awards and accolades over the past few decades.
