Hotel Verde, situated at the Cape Town International Airport has just been certified by Fair Trade Tourism at the annual World Travel Market Africa, in Cape Town, South Africa. The certification is a prestigious accolade for both Hotel Verde and tourism in South Africa, showing leadership in the rapidly growing responsible tourism market.

Hailed as “Africa’s Greenest hotel”; Hotel Verde has been set, since opening in 2013, on proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. The 145-bedroom hotel earned its spot as one of the most sustainable hotels in the world, after becoming the first hotel world-wide, to receive a double-platinum green building certification from the United States Green Building Council in 2015.

The Fair Trade certification brings new weight to Hotel Verde’s commitment to responsible tourism principles, verifying the sustainable practices of more than just the hotel’s design and building operations. The certification was audited extensively by KMPG and focused on aspects such as fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

’Going green is not just about the building; it’s also about every aspect of the operation’, says Samantha Annandale, CEO of Verde Hotels, the sustainable hotel management company behind Hotel Verde, Cape Town and the soon-to-launch Hotel Verde, Zanzibar. ‘As part of Hotel Verde, Cape Town’s commitment to be “Africa’s greenest hotel”, management is committed to following the principal tenets of sustainable procurement, to minimize their environmental impact, to maximize wider social benefits and of course, ensuring the wellbeing and future of our employees.’

Fair Trade Tourism was the first African certification scheme to be recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, representing global best-practice in responsible tourism. ‘We are delighted to have Africa’s Greenest hotel, Hotel Verde on-board with Fair Trade Tourism. They are leaders in demonstrating that going Green is not only responsible but also financially viable, whilst enhancing the client’s experience, at the same time. Following the principals of Thrivability, Hotel Verde is something to experience in person and a proud addition to Africa’s most responsible portfolio of nearly 200 businesses.’ says Fair Trade Tourism Managing Director, Jane Edge.

‘The Fairtrade certification is an extremely proud alliance for our team’, vouched Lindy Meiring General Manager of Hotel Verde, Cape Town. ’We believe that this has further validated our passionate dedication to sustainability and the future thereof. The mark of the Fair Trade certification will also give responsible travelers an easy way of identifying our commitment to responsible practices when choosing accommodation in Cape Town’

Mario and Annemarie Delicio are the owners behind Hotel Verde, Africa’s greenest hotel. Dedicated and passionate about sustainability, they have transformed what was initially just a sensible business proposition into a showcase for all to follow.

www.hotelverde.com     www.verdehotels.com