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Press Release

Rotterdam, 24 June 2010

Hotels and congress centres in R otterdam sign f or sustainability 

 Alderwoman Alexandra van Huffelen signs agreement on behalf of the City of Rotterdam

Thursday, 24 June 2010, R otterdam ± 29 hotels and congress locations signed

the R otterdam Sustainable Hotels and Congress Locations agreement. Other

signatories to the agreement included Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (the Dutch 

trade association of hotel and catering industries), the KMVK eco-label f or

safety and quality, R otterdam Marketing, and the City of R otterdam, 

representing f or the occasion by Alexandra van Huffelen, Alderwoman f or

Sustainability, City Centre and Public Areas. A sustainable hotel and congress

sector in R otterdam contributes to the realisation of the targets set in the

R otterdam Climate Initiative, which aim to reduce CO2 by 50% and achieve a

100% climate-proof city in 2025. 

Increasing sustainability often also cuts costs for the sector, since hotels and congress

locations that emit less CO2 also use less energy. They can also be eligible for Green Key

certification. This international eco-label is a powerful marketing tool for the individual

locations and can also be used to promote the entire city of Rotterdam. Today¶s

increasingly eco-savvy consumers will be more likely to choose Rotterdam as a result.

This is one of the ways that Rotterdam can profile itself as a city with a passion for

sustainability, a city that is an attractive place to visit, hold congresses and enjoy

overnight accommodations. 

Green Key certificate

The participating hotels and congress locations want to earn a Green Key certificate

within the coming 18 months. The Green Key eco-label helps organisations show theirguests, their business relations and the government authorities that nature and the

environment are important to them. This high priority needs to be expressed in tangible

steps to reduce gas, water and electricity usage and produce less waste. In most cases,

environmental measures also have the added benefit of leading to significantly lower

costs. Knowledge development and exchange is also an important aspect of the

partnership.

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Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue and business events organisers

and guests are taking an increasingly critical look at this aspect. Consequently,

Rotterdam Marketing, the Rotterdam Climate Initiative and Koninklijke Horeca Nederland

support the initiative that these hotels and congress centres have taken to pursue

sustainable business practices. ³We are pleased that 29 hotels and congress centres have

opted to increase the sustainability of their organisations,´ says Ton Wesselink, director

of Rotterdam Marketing. ³The Green Key is also in line with our aim: to fortify asustainable leisure economy in Rotterdam by promoting the image of the city.´ 

Click here for a complete overview of congress locations and hotels that are participating

in this initiative.

R otterdam Climate InitiativeThe RCI aims to achieve 50% CO2 reduction and a 100% climate-proof city in 2025. TheRCI is an initiative of the City of Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Port Authority, the DCMR

Environmental Protection Agency and Deltalinqs, the umbrella organisation for the

Rotterdam industries. As a pro-active and innovative climate city, Rotterdam acceptsresponsibility for its future. By addressing both the causes and the consequences of 

climate change, Rotterdam is taking a uniquely progressive approach to the climate issue

as a whole, serving as an inspiring example to others. The ambitions and results in thearea of climate, energy and water contribute to a sustainable, attractive and

economically sound city.

About R otterdam Marketing

Rotterdam Marketing is a foundation established for the purpose of enhancing the leisure

economy of Rotterdam. The organisation offers information and customised advice to

current and potential visitors, the travel trade, congress organisers and the press.

Partnerships with various Rotterdam institutions, including congress locations, museums,

attractions and hotels, are an important part of its activities. Rotterdam Marketing works

with 170 partners in the city. In addition, Rotterdam Marketing is responsi ble forproviding informative and inspiring resources, such as www.rotterdam.info, the

Rotterdam City Map and the RZine, with the latest information on attractions,

restaurants, museums, hotels and shops in the city.

Note f or the editors, not f or publication: For additional press information, please contact Else de Kwaasteniet, Press Officer for Rotterdam Marketing;

pers@rotterdam-marketing.nl, +31-10±205 15 00, www.rotterdam.info.