POLANA SERENA HOTEL – FIRST HOTEL IN MOZAMBIQUE TO GAIN ‘GREEN’ CERTIFICATION
The Polana Serena Hotel has officially been certified ISO 14001 compliant by an external certification body, making it the only hotel in Mozambique to have achieved this Environmental Management System compliance certification.
The main objective of this system is to minimise the adverse impacts of certain activities on the environment and community and in doing so, create a more sustainable one. As the hotel industry sees no time limitations operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, environmental influences can be sizeable so the need to establish ‘green’ practices has become increasingly important. Says Karim Merali, Executive Director of the hotel: “As a key player in the hospitality industry, we are responsible for paying attention to any impact our activities may have on the environment and making sure that our approach of sustainable development is in the interest of ourselves and the surrounding community.”
The Polana Serena Hotel Environmental Health and Safety system involves the study and elimination of environmental and health hazards of the property on the community and surrounds. The hotel chose to adopt this new system to: increase guest satisfaction, reduce harmful impacts on the environment, ensure long-term sustainability development, improve community relations and improve aesthetics and sanitation. The Polana Serena hotel has involved all departments in the recognition, evaluation and control of potential hazardous conditions and unsafe acts by co-ordinating programmes to reduce environmental impacts, work-related injuries and illness. The areas currently being worked on include: air emissions and ambient air quality, occupational health and safety as well as community health and safety.
This certification forms part of the TPS Serena Group Management Policy to comply with all applicable national laws and international policies and puts the hotel at the forefront of developing standards and best practices in the industry.
Another honour which the hotel recently received is the “Made in Mozambique” seal. This insignia recognises the Polana Serena Hotel’s commitment to revitalisation and empowerment in the provision of good service and quality products. Says Merali: “We are confident that this stamp will add value to our services and verify us in the market as a hotel which provides services that are truly Mozambican and of an international standard.”
Beautifully located on one of the most sought-after avenues in the heart of Maputo, The Polana Serena Hotel has always boasted having a reputation of being one of the best hotel’s in the world. Having achieved this new ‘green’ certification is just another accolade which affirms this status as the hotel continues to keep abreast of the ever-changing trends in the market.
Notes to Editor:
- Serena Hotel’s portfolio currently comprises a collection of 23 luxury hotels, resorts and safari lodges in some of the most exquisite locations in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Serena also owns and manages properties in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan.
- TPS Serena Hotels is an affiliate company of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). AKFED promotes tourism by building, rehabilitating and managing hotels and lodges that contribute to economic growth in an environmentally and culturally sensitive manner.
For more information call:
Victoria Nyamunga | Serena Hotels
4th Floor, Williamson House, 4th Ngong Avenue, P.O. Box 48690 GPO, 00100 - Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa
Tel: +254 20 284 2238 Fax: +254 20 271 8103 Mobile: +254 734 699 868
Email: vnyamunga@serena.co.ke Web: www.serenahotels.com
