Hoteliers to adopt eco-friendly measures

With the objective to contribute towards sustainable tourism, hoteliers have expressed commitment to adopt more eco-friendly measures in their operation. In a recent program organized by Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), the hoteliers stated that they would prioritize alternatives of HCFCs (Hydrocholorflurorocarbons) in the near future.

The equipment that are being used in Nepal by hotels like refrigerants and air conditioning units among others use HCFC.

The new initiative comes at the time when hoteliers are working on the concept of ´green hotel´ by putting focus on rain water harvesting, waste management and installing solar lighting system.

Executive Director of HAN, Madhab Om Shrestha said the program was targeted to raise awareness amongst hoteliers and to inform them about HCFCs free equipments.

“These equipments are energy efficient and is certain to reduce the operating cost of the hotels, and at the same time hoteliers can contribute to better environment,” he said adding the association was positive about encouraging its member hotels for such initiatives.

According to HAN, most of the hoteliers were positive on installing the new technology. “ We will also work to make sure the new hotels that are coming into operation install the new technology,” Shrestha said.

Bal Shakya of Nepal Refrigeration and Electro Mechanical Association (NREMA) which is conducting consultancy for the use of eco-friendly equipments said most of the refrigeration and air condition equipment used in hotels in Nepal at present are HCFCs based equipments.

“Like CFC based equipment have already been phased out, these equipments will also be phased out in the near future,” he said. “The cost of the new technology is little expensive but its very energy efficient and environment friendly.”

President of HAN Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshpati said the association was targeting to get ´green hotel´ certification with all the eco-friendly measures. “We are working with different organizations to adopt more eco-friendly technology.

source: republica,28 Sept 2012