Alpine-wide climate protection competition for the hotel and catering industry launched

Austria, Germany and the Alpine Convention today launched the Alpine-wide competition ‘ClimaHost - Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency in the Hotel and Catering Industry’.

Accommodation and catering establishments within the scope of the Alpine Convention – from five-star hotel to mountain hut – can apply with their projects and activities related to climate protection and energy efficiency. The deadline is 31 August 2018 and winners will be announced as part of the 15th Alpine Conference in Innsbruck in April 2019.

Model projects encourage positive development

Federal Minister for the Environment, Svenja Schulze: ‘Climate protection has become a top priority in the Alpine region in the face of melting glaciers and recurring landslides. The aim of the competition is to recognize companies that are aware of their responsibility and lead the way for others when it comes to taking action on energy efficiency.’

Elisabeth Köstinger, Austrian Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism: ‘With 43 million guests and 144.5 million overnight stays, tourism is a strong driver of the economy and a major source of employment for our country. Environment, economy, social and cultural activities: all these things play a role in making Austria such a popular destination. For us, the principle of sustainability always comes first. The model projects in the climate competition help reinforce this positive development – and for that I would like to express my heartfelt thanks. Untouched nature and living space, cultural authenticity and regionality – this is why guests from all over the world love us. I’m convinced that the industry is in the process of change. Today we know it: sustainability is a competitive advantage.’

‘Sustainable tourism thrives on the engagement of proprietors’

Ambassador Markus Reiterer, Secretary General of the Alpine Convention: ‘Sustainable tourism in terms of the Alpine Convention thrives on the engagement of proprietors who offer their guests an experience of Alpine life in harmony with the environment. ClimaHost is a concrete initiative to recognize good practices in the Alpine region and make them better known across state borders.’

The competition goes back to an initiative by the German Presidency of the Alpine Convention 2015/16 aimed at increasing climate protection and energy efficiency in Alpine hotel and catering establishments. Austria took over the Presidency the following year and further developed the initiative. An international jury will select the winners in the categories ‘Accommodation’ and ‘Gastronomy’. Prizes include professional videos for marketing purposes.

The application is available online at www.climahost.eu. The call for competition and additional information are available in the four official Alpine languages.