First Qualmark Green award goes to Rotorua
22 Sep 2008
Rotorua’s world famous thermal activity has generated the first New Zealand Qualmark Green award.
A Qualmark Enviro-silver logo has been awarded to a Rotorua motel business that has tapped into the vast energy store in the town’s underground geothermal waters to power its own water-heating system.
Based on heat exchange, the system provides sustainable heating for the motel’s water, rooms, and plunge pools.
The innovative heating system has been developed over the past 12 months, and is a joint venture between the motel owners - Steve and Gillian Osbourne of Alpin Motel - and Environment Bay of Plenty, the regional environmental authority.
Green approach
Mr Osbourne said the idea was from "old theories and technology" which he was just taking to another stage.
"What we've done is just good business practice," he said. "It's a reflection of this that it is good for the environment at the same time."
Scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research were collecting and analysing data to ensure there were no adverse effects on the geothermal system, Mr Osbourne said.
The Osbournes have invested around $150,000 on the project. Their green approach to business also includes reduced use of cleaning products, vigilant recycling and supplying mountainbikes for guests.
Environmental performance
Qualmark Green, an extension of New Zealand’s Qualmark quality assurance scheme for tourism operators, rates environmental performance and quality. The system is designed to help the country deliver on its 100% Pure New Zealand promise.
From August 1 2008, all Qualmark licence holders have to meet minimum environmental standards as part of their quality accreditation assessments. Environmental and social initiatives underway in a tourism business will be recognised in their overall score.
All tourism operators and businesses are able to apply for Enviro-Gold, Enviro-Silver and Enviro-Bronze ratings depending on their environmental performance.
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