SHAMS PARTNERS WITH EC3 GLOBAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

SHAMS properties have a reputation for friendliness and the professionalism of their staff. Now, the family-owned hotel group is looking to enhance its guest experience and deliver a “guilt free” vacation.

The Egyptian hotel and cruise ship operator sees sustainable business practices as increasingly important and is taking a whole-of-company approach.
Shams has signed up with EC3 Global (ec3global.com), who offer the world’s largest environmental certification program; designed for the travel and tourism sector. Far from being yet another green logo of questionable benefit, the programme will enable Shams to develop, implement, measure and monitor the impact of their operations on host communities.
Such an integrated view of sustainability makes good business sense; especially when you consider that the 344-rooms Imperial Shams Abu Soma and Shams Safaga resorts rely on the ongoing appeal of the Red Sea’s rich marine environment to lure tourists and fill beds.
Home to more than 1200 species of fish and fringing coral reefs older than the Giza pyramids, the Red Sea attracts divers, surfers and escapists from around the world. They all come in search of a little taste of heaven and the Resort delivers it up in good measure.
“Shams Safaga Resort is blessed with a seafront location, but with such blessing comes a responsibility to care for the ecosystem,” explains General Manager Mr. Abd El Monsif Shehab “The tourism industry has a significant role to play in conservation efforts and we must go well beyond simple check-box-action.”
Mr. Abd El Monsif Shehab’s referring to the outdated view of environmental certification as a means to obtain a logo for intangible marketing benefit. Savvy hotel operators have been quick to realise that the bottom line is better impacted through a reduction in energy, water and waste consumption, which deliver positive environmental outcomes and guest benefit.
“Increased consumer awareness of climate change and the need to live more sustainable lifestyles has made global travellers increasingly demanding of hotel operators,” says Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global. “They expect market leaders to take on an environmental stewardship role, but at the same time, guests don’t want to forego creature comforts. Travellers have become increasingly savvy when it comes to greenwashing tactics. Credible claims need to be backed up by the latest science-based technology and verified by third party auditors.”
Such transparency requires each hotel staff member to take an active role in conservation and have the active support of management. If sustainability policies involving the purchasing of goods, use of resources and support of local communities aren’t adhered to on a daily basis, then opportunities to protect fragile ecosystems and preserve traditional cultures will pass through the fingers like grains of the Red Sea’s golden sands.

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