Innisfree Hotels has announced that all four of its Pensacola Beach, Florida properties have been recognized by the Green Key Global Eco-Rating Program for their ongoing pledge towards improving their environmental and fiscal performance. The program is a first-of-its-kind “eco-audit” that awards hospitality and tourism enterprises up to five Green Keys based on their sustainability practices and diligence with regard to eco-friendly operations. The Green Key Program is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international accreditation body that manages sustainability standards in travel and tourism.
Of the four Pensacola properties, Hampton, Hilton and Holiday Inn Resort have each received a rating of four Green Keys, while Surf and Sand has received three Green Keys. These initial keys demonstrate the hotel operator’s commitment and responsibility to sustainability and community engagement. This recognition comes after the recent appointment of Brittney Barnett as Innisfree’s new director of sustainability. With over seven years of experience in community development and sustainability program implementation, Barnett joined Innisfree in October 2021 to pilot a new program focusing on climate action, resource preservation, ecological balance, and health and well-being.
Although each hotel has unique achievements, Innisfree’s sustainability efforts include LED lighting upgrades throughout the hotel, boiler upgrades, installing an energy management system, procuring Energy Star certified appliances, low-flow shower heads, water-saving aerator faucets in each guestroom and EV charging stations. The hotel operator also established new employee engagement practices, including developing sustainability action plans for each property, conducting sustainability trainings for staff and establishing a platform for employees to share sustainability ideas. Bonus points were given for Innisfree’s strong community involvement by leading social initiatives such as their “From the Ground Up” community garden, participating in “The Bail Project,” and “Parent University.”
At the corporate level, Innisfree Hotels formally adopted a company-wide sustainability policy, established a strategic action plan and formed a corporate green committee to lead their properties.
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