Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod and Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod, two leading hotels in the Western Visayas region, are proud to announce their recent achievement of two prestigious certifications: the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Hotel Sustainability Basics and SafeHotels Certification.
These accomplishments underscore the hotels’ unwavering commitment to responsible business practices, prioritizing environmental stewardship and the safety and security of their guests.
The Hotel Sustainability Basics certification is a testament to the hotels’ robust and data-driven approach to environmental responsibility. The certification recognizes their efforts to measure and reduce energy and water consumption, identify and reduce waste, and measure and reduce carbon emissions.
“Obtaining the Hotel Sustainability Basics certification is a significant milestone for us,” Rouel Guanzon, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo’s general manager, said in a statement Aug. 29. “It validates our team’s dedication to operating in a way that is not only successful but also sustainable. We believe that responsible business is good business, and this certification is a clear indicator of our progress.”
Both hotels have long been champions of sustainability, with existing projects that showcase their innovative approach to corporate social responsibility.
Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo Tela Tales program, is an upcycling initiative in collaboration with local brands like The Brave Story and Zara Juan. This project empowers women from the Iloilo’s Homeless Federation by providing them with skills training and a platform to create handcrafted items, turning discarded textiles into beautiful products.
Meanwhile, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod has been a pioneer in sustainable initiatives in Negros. The hotel’s Tela Tales Bacolod program, in partnership with Negros Volunteers for Change (NVC) and currently with Brgy. Felisa, mirrors the Iloilo project’s success in empowering local communities through upcycling.
Furthermore, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod is the first hotel in the region to successfully convert used cooking oil into biodiesel. In partnership with Green Solutions and Bacolod City Planning Office, the hotel has converted over 1,500 liters of used oil, which has been donated to local fishing communities in Bacolod and nearby cities, providing them with affordable and environmentally friendly fuel.
The Bacolod hotel has also been a strong advocate for a circular economy, partnering with Negros Economic Development Fund farms. Food waste from the hotel is converted into compost using the bokashi method, which is then used by the farms. The hotel then “closes the loop” by purchasing the fresh crops grown with the compost, ensuring a farm-to-table experience for guests while reducing food waste.
In a move to significantly reduce plastic waste, since 2022 both hotels have replaced single-use plastic water bottles with refillable glass carafes in guest rooms, a significant step in their commitment to a plastic-free future. This initiative alone has led to a reduction of 400,000 bottles a year, a testament to the hotels’ dedication to sustainability.
In addition to their environmental achievements, both hotels have also been awarded the SafeHotels Certification. This global program independently sets and verifies the highest standards of safety, security, and hygiene. On-site assessments by global experts ensure that every aspect of the guest experience, from public areas to guest rooms, adheres to world-class safety protocols.
“The SafeHotels certification provides our guests with the confidence that their well-being is our top priority,” Sherwin Lucas, area general manager for Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod and Iloilo, stressed. “This achievement is a result of our dedicated team’s hard work and commitment to maintaining a secure and comfortable environment for everyone who walks through our doors. These certifications are more than just a recognition; they are a public declaration of the core values we live by at Park Inn by Radisson. They reflect our commitment to providing a comfortable, friendly, and responsible stay for every guest.”
By achieving these benchmarks, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo and Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod aim to set a new standard of excellence in the hospitality industry, demonstrating how hotels can be powerful catalysts for positive change—benefiting both our planet and the communities they serve. ||
