Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in the Cyprus Tourism Sector

Hotels and other tourism sector enterprises in Cyprus are confronted by high operating costs due to high energy and water costs and consumption in both the summer and winter months. This is due to the high prices of both electricity and water, as well as a range of other factors:

• Temperatures and humidity in the peak summer months are rising due to global warming. Air conditioning of public areas and rooms is a necessity and cannot be avoided.
• Lower temperatures in the winter months and the quest to expand the tourism season mean that certain costs, such as heated indoor swimming pools, are high.
• Most Cypriot hotels date to the 1970s and 1980s. Despite renovations since then, the use of insulation (e.g. double- or triple-pane glass), automated lighting driven by movement sensors or timers, central energy consumption monitoring, rooftop photovoltaic panels, and other energy efficiency methods are not widely in use.

In addition to internal cost savings benefits, energy efficiency and sustainability are vital for tourism relations and marketing. Guests and tour operators are increasingly conscious of sustainability in travel, and this plays an important role in marketing and positioning of a hotel.

The general objective of this programme is to improve the competitive advantage of Cypriot hotels and other travel sector companies by adapting to and investing in sustainability and energy efficiency solutions. In doing so, they will reduce operating costs and gain an important tourist marketing advantage. This approach requires a detailed understanding of sustainability and energy efficiency technology, management methodologies and tools, and will be addressed through a practical and results-oriented strategic training programme. The programme involves a detailed technology assessment, beyond what is considered state-of-the-art in Cyprus today.

The programme will include:

1. Background to Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, including policy and specific application to the tourism sector through marketing and certification schemes.

2. Energy Efficiency Certification Systems, including

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• EU Energy Label for Tourism Accommodation (Eco label)
• Other standards, including standards for tourism such as TripAdvisor GreenLeaders, Greenkey, Green Globe, ENERGY STAR, Green Seal, Audubon and Travelife

3. Developing a Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP)

• Evaluation and Assessment
• Defining Objectives and Strategy
• Organisational Change
• Technology and Equipment
• Training
• Partners
• Monitoring and ROI

4. Planning Implementation and Technology Selection and Investment in Different Departments and Functions

• Housekeeping / Food & Beverage / Grounds & Gardens
• Equipment Servicing and Maintenance
• Thermal Insulation of Rooms and Building
• Uncontrolled Air Conditioning and Filtration
• Improving Heating and Cooling Efficiency
• Improving Space Heating, Ventilation, Lighting

5. Building Checklists and Audit Processes

6. Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

The trainer is Janna Fortmann. Janna is a highly experienced consultant in sustainability and energy efficiency. She has managed a series of EBRD, EIB and EU funds for energy efficiency in Lebanon, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and other countries since 2010. She has in-depth knowledge of energy and sustainability solutions and certifications systems across multiple sectors, including the tourism sector. She is up-to-date in terms of technology, systems and solutions in the sector. Prior to this, she has worked in business restructuring and investment due diligence.

For further information and registration, please contact:

Orestis Votsis

orestis@navigator-consulting.com