A Scottish Highland hotel has become the only UK business to land a global Green award at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.
The family-run Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness was recognised for its pioneering £8m Energy Centre which had ‘set a benchmark’ for sustainability in the sector.
At a special ceremony in the rainforest of Belize, the hotel, which incorporates the Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery, was given a special commendation award in the Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative category.
It was also shortlisted in the World Leading Sustainable Water and Waste Innovation and World’s Leading Sustainable Employer categories.
As well as developing the first Water Source Energy solution Centre of its kind in 2021, the Glen Mohr business has developed an ambitious Climate Action Plan and embedded ground-breaking Fair Work and inclusion policies.
Co-owner Victoria Erasmus attended the ceremony to collect the prize, and explain Glen Mhor’s operating vision to fellow attendees in San Ignacio.
“The judges and hosts were impressed by how sustainability was embedded in what we do, across the business, and the sheer scale of that; how committed we had been in transforming the business around sustainability, Fair Work and inclusion,” said Victoria.
“It was a real honour to represent a family business amongst some of the leading names in hospitality in the world, as well as representing Scotland and the UK.
“Personally, it was an amazing learning experience, from a CPD perspective, and there is so much to bring back from it,” she added.
“Some of the initiatives going on around the world are truly remarkable and I am even more determined, now, to use that experience to adapt our own climate action plan and to take that to the next level.”
The 126-room hotel, situated on the banks of the River Ness, removes 250 tonnes of carbon per year through its on-site water source Sustainability Centre, which also powers the production of single highland malt whisky and craft beer.
The adoption of Solar PV solutions further reduces reliance on fossil fuels, with the business aiming to be completely gas-free by the end of this year.
Executive vice-president of the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, Justin Cooke, commented: “Congratulations to Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-bheist Distillery and Brewery for its ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative 2024’ Special Commendation.
“This remarkable achievement reflects how the company is setting the benchmark in sustainable practices and leading the way in creating a net positive future for the travel industry. The commitment and vision of the entire team serve as an inspiration to us all.”
The Glen Mhor’s 146 employees now hold individual Green job titles, reflecting their commitment to fair work and inclusion, which was recognised at the global event.
The company has also introduced sensory recruitment practices and programmes to promote positive mental well-being across the business in recent years.
