Congratulations to the Peninsula All Suites Hotel as the first submission from the RT Pilot Project programme of the required monitoring (quarterly), profile and policy statements. The RT Pilot Project involves companies within the tourism industry who are committed to implementing responsible tourism management practices in Cape Town. The Peninsula is further well known for its Corporate Social Investment programmes. Other milestones achieved in sustainable tourism practice include ‘Most Empowered Tourism Business’ (2009) at the Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism and a Gold Classification from Heritage (2011).
The Peninsula Hotel is part of the two year programme with 20 other industry participants, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, to assess, monitor and share progress towards the achieving of responsible tourism practice in the Cape Town destination. The project includes a cross-section of industry participants including hotels, guest houses, tour operators, shuttles, conference venues and visitor attractions.
This project is ground breaking as it is destination wide and focussed on the implementation and application of responsible tourism practice. It is also a unique partnership of local government, the tourism industry and key tourism role players and stakeholders in a common effort.
As well as the Peninsula being well known for its dedicated work in targeting underprivileged communities and CSI initiatives, the hotel has some major projects concentrated on Going Green (in reducing their carbon footprint) along with the social responsibility efforts of its own staff and the community.
Energy Efficient Lighting
The Peninsula is literally weeks away from the complete integration of energy efficient lighting throughout the premises. The luminaires under consideration include LED technologies as well as CFL equivalents in various areas. The scope of this particular project includes ALL areas and is not limited to high-load factor areas ensuring that the overall energy consumption (carbon emission) reductions are maximised throughout the property. With the lighting changes in place the Peninsula will conservatively reduce its carbon footprint by some 37000 kilograms of CO2 on a monthly basis! Of course the environmental aspect of these projects is a major driving factor however coupled to this carbon reduction is an extremely attractive financial return in the form of reduced monthly electricity bills. Through the implementation of Eskom/Government incentive schemes the initial outlay is also reduced ensuring returns are maximised over the considerable service life (guaranteed for 3 years) of these products!
Heat Pump Integration
The Peninsula Hotel has exclusive suites incorporating a heated outdoor Jacuzzi per unit (10 units in total). Heat-pump technology has the potential to reduce the electrical energy consumption of these units by as much as 80% under certain conditions. Demo units have been installed over the past year in an effort to measure and verify the actual impact equipment of this nature will offer over a period of time. Again the Eskom/Government incentive schemes are being used to reduce the initial capital outlay required for the installation of such technologies. Once complete the total impact will result in a conservative carbon emissions reduction of approximately 13000 kilograms of CO2 per month not to mention the electricity savings!
The Peninsula is a landmark hotel on the Cape Town Atlantic seaboard otherwise known in Sea Point as Cape Town’s Platinum Mile. Each of the Peninsula All Suite Hotel’s 110 units has a lounge, kitchen and balcony with sea views. The Sunset Restaurant offers guest and visitors culinary excellence while the Faces Cocktail Bar is ideal for sun-downers overlooking the Atlantic. Facilities include two swimming pools (one heated), a fully equipped gym and the use of regular complimentary shuttles (within an 8km radius) which incorporates the Cape’s finest beaches, Table Mountain, the Waterfront and City Centre.
