Welcome Speech By The Honorable Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism And Culture Malaysia at The Opening Ceremony of Asean Green Hotel Award 2014
WELCOME SPEECH BY
THE HONORABLE
DATO' SERI MOHAMED NAZRI ABDUL AZIZ
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE, MALAYSIA
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF
ASEAN GREEN HOTEL AWARD 2014
THE HONORABLE
DATO' SERI MOHAMED NAZRI ABDUL AZIZ
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE, MALAYSIA
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF
ASEAN GREEN HOTEL AWARD 2014
His Exellencies, Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg
Minister of Tourism Sarawak
His Exellencies, Ministers of Tourism of ASEAN
His Exellencies, Dr. Lim Hong Hin
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN
His Exellencies, Mr. Taleb D. Rifai
Secretary-General of the UNWTO
Distinguished ASEAN Head of NTOs and Delegates
Distinguished Guests and members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
Selamat Datang.
1. It gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome all of you to the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2014 held in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2014 here in this unique city of Kuching. At the same time, I wish to record my deepest appreciation to all ASEAN Tourism Ministers, the Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN and the Secretary General of UNWTO for gracing this historic occasion and extending their kind support at this ceremony.
2. My appreciation also goes to YB Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Minister of Tourism of Sarawak, for the close collaboration and support in organising this award event. I would also like to thank all ASEAN Member States, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat for their unwavering support and entrusting Malaysia with the privilege to host the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2014. The success of this event is the result of a close strategic partnership between ASEAN and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. The ASEAN Green Hotel Award was first started in 2008 with Thailand as the host country. At this ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2014, ASEAN will award 86 green hotels across the ASEAN Member States. As for Malaysia, amongst the 10 hotels receiving the award today, two are located in Sarawak, namely, Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching and Miri Marriot Resort and Spa. This ceremony is a recognition of the mutual benefits and opportunities derived through networking, collaboration and working in partnership within the ASEAN Member States, the private sector and NGOs. I look forward to the sharing of success stories and experiences which can help provide valuable lessons and guidelines that will have significant impact on the economy and tourism industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. A Green Hotel is a hotel which is environmentally-friendly and adopts energy conservation measures, while being respectful of sustainable consumption of resources. Nowadays there is an increasing demand by tourists for hotels which adopt green practices. Studies have shown that this increase in demand is higher than the supply of green hotels. Hence, these green hotels fetch a premium in their hotel rates. Beyond this, the green hotel management practices will, in the long run, also reduce the cost of operations and enhance revenue.
5. Recognizing this global trend, ASEAN has decided to develop the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard. This standard establishes a professional green hotel operation comprising an environmental plan, green products, human resource and environment management - all of which enable all involved to reap benefits from a collective approach to operational professionalism. This ASEAN Green Hotel program is also seen as an integral initiative to support the current work of ASEAN to develop the ASEAN Ecotourism Strategic Plan which promotes responsible tourism and green practice in the tourism industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
6. This bi-annual award is presented to hotels which adhere to green and sustainable practices, are environmentally friendly, and adopt energy conservation measures based on the criteria and requirements enshrined in the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard. The primary objective of this award is to provide the well-deserved recognition to hotels that go beyond conventional practices and embark on green and environmental friendly measures in support of responsible tourism.
7. In conclusion, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to all the winners of the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2014. We are proud of your achievements and look forward to more hotels and resorts emulating your success in our quest for sustainable development of tourism.
Thank you and have an enjoyable evening.
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