Qatar launching Green Hotel Interest Group

Taking place in Doha from November 26, the conference is set to attract thousands of global delegates.

The GHIG launch took place on Monday September 17 at Wyndham Grand Regency Hotel, Doha, and witnessed well known hotels, organisations and people team up to create a forum that will support greater sustainability practices within the Qatar hospitality sector.

Director, Qatar Green Building Council, Eng. Meshal Al-Shamiri, in-charge of welcoming event goers and introducing the event said, "The establishment and launch of the Green Hotel Interest Group is timely amidst the flurry of activity following last year's announcement that Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the forthcoming CoP18. All eyes are really on Qatar right now," and also underlined the importance of sustainable development as a vital theme of the Qatar vision 2030.

GHIG is said to join forces with hospitality partners across Qatar and aim at offsetting CO2 emissions generated by the hospitality sector. 800 buildings, including hotels, are planned within Doha's City Centre, as well as a large figure of housing developments. The figure is expected to rise over the next few years in other parts of Doha.

Assistant general manager, Wyndham Grand Regency, Ghada Sadek stated, "We are hopeful that the Green Hotel Interest Group will bring together like-minded organisations in Qatar to feel inspired and conjure up fresh ideas to start making a difference. Working with hotels, future initiatives could include collectively composting leftover food to reduce waste."

Special guest speakers will discuss a range of topics, including the importance of initiating a GHIG in Qatar, and low energy lighting for hotels, to the possibility of establishing an Annual 'Green Hotels Award'.