Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston sets sustainability benchmark in Tasmania
This recognition is a testament to the hotel's commitment to globally recognised sustainable tourism standards
In a significant milestone for Tasmania’s tourism industry, Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston has become the first hotel in the state to achieve Ecotourism Australia’s prestigious Sustainable Tourism Certification.
This recognition is a testament to the hotel’s commitment to globally recognised sustainable tourism standards.
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The certification acknowledges Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston’s comprehensive sustainability measures across its hotel operations, Grain of the Silos restaurant, and its meetings and events offerings. The hotel now joins a growing number of accommodations across Australia seeking independent validation of their sustainability efforts.
Meeting global standards
Achieving this certification confirms that Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston has met international best practice sustainable tourism standards across eight criteria sections. These include environmental management, interpretation and education, working with local communities, and cultural respect and sensitivity.
Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, said: “We are immensely proud of Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston for achieving Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification, marking a significant milestone as the first hotel in Tasmania to meet these globally recognised standards.
“Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston exemplifies our dedication to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and cultural respect. Independent certification is a must-have for hotels to help guests make sustainable travel decisions, and we continue to put sustainability at the core of everything we do.
“The hotel joins a growing network of Accor hotels, resorts and apartments leading the way in sustainable tourism across Australia. We will continue to strive for excellence in sustainability and set new benchmarks for the industry.”
Commitment to sustainability
Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston General Manager, Paul Seaman, said the hotel team has worked diligently to improve their sustainability initiatives across the entire property, and they were proud to announce their certification achievement and acknowledge the support of the hotel’s owner in supporting key initiatives, such as solar panels and local procurement.
“Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston is committed to supporting our local community with minimised impact to our environment. A key part of our journey has been our relationship with our food producers and growers and a commitment to sustainable food and beverage offering, inspired by our Food Director Massimo Mele and championed daily with passion by our Executive Chef Thomas Pirker.
“Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston is motivated to continue identifying innovative sustainable solutions to ensure we preserve the ecosystem for future generations.”
A local focus
Grain of the Silo Food Director, Massimo Mele, emphasised the importance of being fiercely local and creating connections with producers as a critical part of the restaurant’s identity.
“Our processes and connections with local farmers and growers takes courage and planning to match the expectations of diners and travellers with the seasons and sustainable farming,” Mele explained.
Industry inspiration
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan, expressed her pleasure in awarding Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston the first Sustainable Tourism Certification in Tasmania.
“Almost half of global travellers say accommodations with sustainability certifications are more appealing, according to the most recent Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report,” she said.
“With their newly appointed certification, Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston will undoubtably inspire other non-nature-based accommodations as well as experiences to strive for best practice sustainability efforts, to foster a network of sustainable tourism in the region.”
A strategic partnership
The Sustainable Tourism Certification program was launched by Ecotourism Australia in late 2022, providing non-nature-based tourism businesses the opportunity to achieve credible and independently verified certification that meets globally recognised sustainable tourism standards.
Last year, Ecotourism Australia and Accor entered into a strategic partnership to independently certify their Australian and Pacific properties as Sustainable Tourism Certified or ECO Certified. More than 170 Accor properties are currently applying for Ecotourism Australia certification programs, with nine achieving Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification standard.
For more information about Peppers Silo Hotel Launceston and its sustainability initiatives, visit the Green Travel Guide: Peppers Silo.
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