Coffs Harbour resort caters to eco-tourism trend
Wyndham Resort Coffs Harbour has saved approximately $20,000 in a 12-month period, thanks to the initiatives of the resort’s management and maintenance teams and by measuring energy efficiency in line with the company’s Wyndham Green program.
The resort implemented an initiative to measure its electricity usage with the aim to reduce its energy consumption during peak times, decreasing operational costs and meeting the demand for more environmentally friendly accommodation options for guests. The resort saw a 8.91 per cent reduction of electricity consumption in 2013 and a further 4.84 per cent reduction last year.
The demand for this style of accommodation was outlined in a recent study by the World Tourism Organisation, which showed a growing demand in eco-tourism, expanding by 20 per cent to 34 per cent every year.
The resort identified the need to monitor the use of the hot water system in peak times without affecting the guests’ experience, additionally the resort replaced existing lighting with LED lights throughout the resort, which has lowered the electricity consumption and as a result has reduced costs.
The team also implemented energy efficient pool pumps, which now uses one third of the power that the old pump used, and made a slight decrease in the pool temperature, resulting in a reduction of the running cost.
Resort manager, Gary Collard said reducing usage in the peak times was key to cutting the costs of electricity and creating a more energy efficient environment that would be beneficial for guests.
“It is vital for us to show our commitment to creating a more sustainable environment for our guests and by continuously monitoring our services and facilities, as well as educating staff, we can provide them with that experience without compromising the quality of their stay.”
Resort employees receive ongoing education about the importance of conserving energy and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s Wynnie the Wallaby Green campaign was launched last year, teaching guests about the resort’s efforts in conservation.
“Resort employees are well informed about reducing the resort’s environmental impact and their input and feedback before implementing new ideas is always very valuable,” Gary added.
The Wyndham Green program was launched in 2006 by Wyndham Worldwide and demonstrates the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and the environment to conserve resources, preserve natural habitats and prevent pollution.
It is about adopting best practices and building a culture that continuously strives to improve environmental initiatives.
