The environment, and the safeguarding of it for future generations, has become one of the salient aspects of the tourism trade, which in turn is one of the most important industries in the Maltese Islands. This week, the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz has become one of the 18 Maltese eco-certified hotels, and to date the only one in Gozo.

Eco-certification is a voluntary scheme that is managed by the Malta Tourism Authority. Hotels displaying the eco certification logo are complying with a detailed set of criteria designed to improve their environmental performance, such as environmental and waste management, procurement of energy and water, air quality, noise, building and green areas, local culture and information dissemination.

Today’s increasingly environmentally conscious tourists are able to reduce their carbon footprint by choosing an eco-certified hotel.

“The eco-certification of our hotel was the logical next step for us,” said general manager Noel Attard “Being the countryside resort that we are, an environmentally friendly approach to tourism comes naturally. We want to concentrate on having sustainable tourism, which blends in perfectly with the vision of Eco Gozo. Sustainable tourism is not just about reducing energy and water and adopting a waste management system but is mostly about offering the guests visiting the Maltese Islands the authenticity, culture and heritage for which Malta and Gozo stand.” With this in mind, the Kempinski has been concentrating increasingly on the marketing of the island’s ecological aspects, such as offering country walks and rides and experiences at local farms, where guests are encouraged to partake in the daily routines, show-casing agro tourism and introducing innovative vacation concepts such as painting

holidays on the Islands.