And the new international Green Globe label in Belgium goes to ...

 The Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel in Ghent's Brabantdam has been awarded the Green Globe label. This international sustainability recognition is awarded to 500 locations in 90 countries worldwide. In Belgium, the Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport and easyHotel Brussels City Centre also carry this label. Yalo was assisted by Green Label Service even before the hotel was built, which helps to explain its well-considered sustainable vision.

In Belgium, only three hotels meet the 385 criteria of the Green Globe sustainability label. One of these is the Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel. The label is awarded on the basis of a thorough, independent annual audit. It is an overall analysis that scrutinises a hotel's environmental, economic and social assets. Yalo was guided and audited in this process by Green Label Service. "It's an and-and story," explains Chrissy van Meersbergen of the independent organisation. "We thoroughly investigate how well the hotel scores on environmental criteria such as energy saving, water and waste management, reduced CO2 emissions, but equally we check which charities the organisation supports and how it contributes to the local economy by working with nearby suppliers and partners."

Yalo has been counting on Chrissy's expert advice from the very beginning, from before the hotel was even built. "This gave us the opportunity to apply very relevant additional tips in advance about temperature control per location, installation of water-saving showers, solar panels, a green roof, etc. into the design," says Paul Suy, general manager of Yalo. "Although a sustainable policy is nothing without committed staff. We therefore provide sustainability training for every employee, from the moment they start. This is logically part of the requirements of Green Globe. This is how you create true ambassadors of a greener planet within your own working environment, so to speak. By making our people aware of this, we also make them extra proud of their workplace."

Each hotel is different, with its own character and its own constraints. It is therefore important that each establishment gives its own interpretation of the concept of sustainability. Guests can also participate in this, if they wish. "At Yalo, for instance, guests staying several nights will soon be able to choose to skip room cleaning and donate those savings to charity," says Chrissy. "They are also working on a project to give employees one day off a year to volunteer."

In business, the demand for sustainable solutions is already so well established that a seal of approval like Green Globe adds clear value in the booking decision of numerous event planners and companies. "Private customers may look first and foremost at price, location and facilities, but even there we see that a hotel's sustainable policy always leads to higher reviews," says Chrissy. "Recent research by Booking.com showed that a label like Green Globe would even lead to 8 per cent higher guest reviews." Finally, the Green Globe label also offers an additional asset that is becoming increasingly important: it attracts talented employees. The younger generation in particular wants to be able to develop in a working environment that matches their values and vision for the future. At Yalo, this manifests itself, among other things, in training opportunities.

Why Yalo was awarded the label? One sustainable application is already more visible than another. Among others, the efforts for energy efficiency can be found on the roof. The green roof reduces CO2 emissions and the hotel installed solar panels for hot water supply. In the room, guests will find an energy card to avoid unnecessary consumption of generated energy such as lighting, heating and cooling. With LED lights and light sensors, savings are also made. Being frugal with water, Yalo does this by changing the towels in the rooms only on request. The same happens with bedding. Although fresh sheets are laid out after three nights. Without compromising on comfort, the showers and water taps have been chosen because they are water-saving. Charging points for electric and hybrid cars will soon be set up in their car park.

Yalo also does more than contribute on a social and community level, including by supporting local charities, but also in their product choices. Their preference is for fresh and local ingredients. If possible, organic too. So they work with suppliers such as Dierendonck, De Jager, Claessens and many others who support their sustainability vision. Also in their drinks, with wine made from grapes from Lochristi, and suggestions for guests to drop by local shops and restaurants. From certified eco-friendly paper products to biodegradable cleaning products. Their printed material - although digital is preferred - is on eco-friendly paper, the ink based on vegetable oils. Grown Alchemist bathroom products in dispensers are free of harmful ingredients.■