Hotel chain pioneers in green initiative

MANILA, Philippines - Fast growing Eurotel hotel chain is pioneering on green initiatives like planting trees in its soon-to-open Baguio branch. In the pipeline is a program to harvest rainwater for recycling in its toilet and baths and for cleaning its lawns and watering the plants.

This was announced by William Go, managing director of Eurotel, as he reported the opening of the Eurotel Baguio by June this year.  

Go said this is a concrete step in the right direction as Baguio is now plagued with water problems. “Admittedly, Baguio City has much to do to protect its fragile watershed system. As our way of helping the city and its people, we want to lessen our demands on the water system by creating our own source and invest our money and other resources wisely. After all, rainwater is free and ‘green economics’ will inspire other hotels as well,” Go said.

Eurotel wants to ensure that “business growth goes hand in hand with environmental and social awareness and participation.”  This is alongside its vital role in pushing the country’s tourism.

The hotel industry should be more aggressive, innovative, creative and more environmentally-sensitive. Gone are the days of sacrificing the environment just because we want to be top. Being ‘world-class’ should start by being sensitive to what we leave behind, our environmental footprint, including our carbon emissions, he stressed.

Eurotel has five branches in Metro Manila, one each in Araneta Center in Quezon City, Las Piñas in Parañaque, Pedro Gil in Manila, Chino Roces Ave. in Makati and North EDSA (in front of SM North in QC.

He said the hotel recognizes how its operations impact the environment, particularly in the use of water, electricity and detergents and therefore strives hard to incorporate environmentally-friendly principles and practices in its operations.