'Green corridor' showcases sustainability in the tourism industry

Hotelier Dr Jerry Schwartz has launched a ‘green corridor’ between his hotels in NSW and the ACT to highlight the potential of environmental initiatives in the tourism industry. According to Dr Schwartz, the new sustainability measures will have “long-term benefits for the environment and our energy management”.

Electrical vehicle charging stations have been installed for free usage by guests in Schwartz Family Company properties in the Hunter Valley (Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley), Blue Mountains (Fairmont Resort and Leura Gold Club) and Sydney (Mercure Sydney, Rydges Sydney Central). Mercure Canberra will be shortly added to the network.

“Use of electric vehicles is still in its infancy, but if people are aware they can drive from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Canberra and recharge their vehicles for free, it provides added incentive to make the switch,” said Dr Schwartz.

In addition, a 100 kW system comprising 376 solar panels has been installed on the rooftop of the Fairmont Resort, where it is set to produce CO₂ savings of 155,658 kg per annum. The Fairmont installation, and an accompanying 30 kW system on the adjacent Leura Golf Club, follows the inauguration of a major solar plant at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley earlier this year.

The use of solar is part of an integrated environmental energy management strategy at the Fairmont, which also includes a ‘smart’ system allowing lights and air conditioning to be turned off in rooms when the guest is away and for ambient room temperature to be varied according to the outside temperature. The resort’s infinity pool will stop flowing over the edge after dark to save considerable heat loss, and a variable speed drive system on all air-conditioning pumps will allow better management of flows according to demand from guest rooms and common areas.

Dr Schwartz said, “When you have properties in pristine areas such as the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley, it is really important for operators to respect the environment and do their utmost to reduce their footprint.

“This is a small step but an important one, because Australian tourism should be at the vanguard of promoting environmental sustainability.”

Image caption: New solar panels will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the Schwartz-owned Leura Golf Club.