Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in the Cyprus Tourism Sector

 Navigator Consulting and the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry will be holding a strategic training programme on Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in the Cyprus Tourism Sector. Led by Janna Fortmann, the training programme includes 2 days of classroom training, followed by 1-day consulting visits to participating companies.

The training is open to all companies active in the tourism sector, including hotels, travel agents, tour operators, and others.

For further information, please contact us on info@navigator-consulting.com, or call Mr. Christos Tanteles at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce & Industry:  tel. 22-889-840.

 1.       Introduction 

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.

 2.    Training Objectives 

The key learning objectives are to reinforce the capacity of Cypriot tourism managers to:

1. Understand the current policies, technologies, and best practises in sustainable tourism management and energy efficiency in tourism.
2. Review and, if desirable, select a sustainability certification method that responds to their requirements.
3. Develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP), including a detailed workplan and budget.
4. Audit energy efficiency and sustainability current situation in key areas and departments, including thermal insulation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, shading, water management, etc.
5. Define an investment plan and calculate the return-on-investment (ROI) of investments in energy efficiency and sustainability.
6. Define a marketing and communication plan to tourism partners (such as travel agents and tour operators) and tourism consumers, including tourists, participants in meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE); weddings, etc.

  3.    Training Agenda 3.1   Energy Efficiency Standards and Policy 

Module 1   |   09:00 – 10:45   |   105 minutes

This module introduces the course with a brief review of energy efficiency and sustainability and standards. This is a rapid presentation and assessment of different forms and standards, operating at the general policy level, as well as specifically in the tourism sector. The content includes:

Background to Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

• Climate change and international action
• European initiatives
• Cyprus National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP)
• Impact of Climate change on the tourism sector in Cyprus

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Tourism

• The impact of Energy Efficiency and Sustainability on business results
• International best practice examples
• Simple measures also bring results – examples

10:45 – 11:00            Coffee Break

 3.2   Inventory of Green Certification Schemes 

Module 2   |   11:00 – 12:45    |   105 minutes

This module is a deep dive into the key “green” certification schemes currently used by SMEs and large corporations in every sector, as well as tourism sector firms. The inventory will include a review of standards, costs and examples of companies that have been certified. We will also show how these certification standards feature in hotel or travel company marketing, and what impact they have in operational terms. A classification of standards will be provided, showing which ones are most suitable for companies with a large infrastructure base (e.g. hotels) versus smaller firms. The standards are:

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• EU Energy Label for Tourism Accommodation (Eco label)
• TripAdvisor GreenLeaders
• Greenkey
• Green Globe
• ENERGY STAR
• Green Seal
• Audubon
• Travelife
• Why certify?

The classification will also provide an overview of simple and complex solutions adapted for hotels, travel agents and tour operators, cruise ships and other tourism enterprises. Attention will be paid to enterprise scale: large versus small, 5* vs 3*.

12:45 – 13:45  Lunch Break

 3.3   Developing a Sustainable Energy Action Plan 

Module 3   |   13:45 – 15:30    |   105 minutes

This modules provides the strategic overview of developing a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). This Action Plan is the basis of all certification schemes. Moreover, it is necessary whether an enterprise will apply for certification or not: it has value in guiding enterprise management through a strategic framework steps towards energy sufficiency and sustainability. This delivers results, for instance, lower energy or water costs, regardless of whether the scheme is certified or not.

The sections of the SEAP include:

• SEAP Executive Summary
• Overall Strategy
• Objective (s) and Targets
• Current framework and vision for the future
• Organisational and financial aspects:     
  • coordination and organisational structures created/ assigned;
  • staff capacity allocated;
  • involvement of staff, customers, and stakeholders;
  • budget;
  • foreseen financing sources for the investments within the action plan;
  • planned measures for monitoring and follow-up.

   

• Baseline Emission Inventory and related information, including data interpretation
• Technology Selection and Investments, including vendors, purchase plans, vendor financing and other issues.
• Planned actions and measures for the full duration of the plan (to years 2020/2022/2025 depending on each company, including long-term strategy, goals and commitments until the end date, and short/medium term actions, defined per month, quarter or year.

Each measure/action is described, including:

• Description
• Department responsible, person or company
• Timing (end-start, major milestones)
• Cost estimation
• Technology selection
• Estimated energy saving/increased renewable energy production
• Estimated CO2 reduction.

15:30 – 15:45  Coffee Break

 3.4   Energy Efficiency Audits Part 1 – Insulation & Shading 

Module 4   |   15:45 – 17:35   |   105 minutes

This module begins the technical and technological part of energy efficiency audits. The objective is to understand sustainable energy solutions and saving potential by department and function. The discussion of solution methodologies includes:

• savings impact in energy and money terms of each solution
• additional savings generated by combining solutions

Sustainable energy solutions discussed will focus on the following areas:

• General facilities and buildings
• Thermal Insulation of Rooms and Building
• Shading
• CASE STUDIES

All case studies involve a review of the core issue confronted; the technology selected; the management approach utilised (including non-technological investments or process changes); budgets; responsibilities; outcomes and results.

 3.5   Energy Efficiency Audits Part 2 – Heating, Cooling, Ventilation Technology 

Module 5   |   09:00 – 10:45   |   105 minutes

This module focusses on how energy efficiency can be achieved in heating, cooling and ventilation of office, hotel and other spaces, including open spaces. It includes a section on energy-efficient lighting. Case studies are provided for each methodological component.

• Improving Efficiency of Space Heating, Cooling and Ventilation
• Improving Efficiency of Swimming Pool Heating
• Improving Lighting
• CASE STUDIES

10:45 – 11:00  Coffee Break

 3.6   Energy Efficiency Audits Part 3 – Energy Management 

Module 6   |   11:00 – 12:45    |   105 minutes

This module will focus on energy demand management as well as water efficiency solutions. It will cover office equipment, energy management systems and sensors and water efficiency. Examples of technology and methods will be provided for each component.

• Office Equipment
• Energy management systems and sensors
• Water efficiency solutions
• CASE STUDIES

12:45 – 13:45  Lunch Break

 3.7   Energy Efficiency Audits Part 4 – Catering & Infrastructure 

Module 7   |   13:45 – 15:30    |   105 minutes

This module focusses on two key areas of building infrastructure and technology: catering facilities, and outdoor infrastructure as well as core infrastructure. The training will cover:

1. Kitchens & Catering Facilities

• Kitchen equipment
• Refrigeration equipment
• Cooling, ventilation & heat recovery
• Water resource efficiency and hot water preparation
• CASE STUDIES

2. Outdoor & Infrastructure Systems

• Signage, outside areas (incl. parking lots), gardens and Sports facilities
• Lighting
• Rainwater harvesting
• Grey water utilization
• Pumps and motors
• Other functions and systems
• Compressor systems
• Generator systems
• Waste water treatment
• Laundry
• CASE STUDIES

15:30 – 15:45  Coffee Break

 3.8   Planning and Managing Sustainable Energy Solutions 

Session 8   |   15:45 – 17:35   |   105 minutes

This module concludes the training course with a review of some key technological trends and issues that small company founders and managers need to take into account in planning and managing sustainable energy solutions. This links back to Module 3.3, the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). The module contents include:

• Sustainable energy solutions and certification: links back to potential certification schemes discussed on the previous days, i.e. how each solution can contribute extra points in certification.
• Publicly-available resources that help the participants select equipment and its energy performance, and calculate energy and resource savings.
• Defining the Sustainable Energy Action Plan. Prioritising quick wins, no-cost measures, and low-cost measures.
• Comprehensive capital investments: Calculation methods to assess the investment needs and ROI (based on calculation templates).
• Financing resources and available incentive schemes.
• Drafting the investment and implementation plan and assuring bankability.

The module also reviews methods of enhancing the sustainable energy impact in each company’s organisation, including:

• Organisational change
• Behavioural change:  training, motivation and rewards
• Competitive positioning – marketing green policies and achievements
• Change strategy and monitoring of success