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Sustainable & future-oriented with GreenSign

With GreenSign, we have found a certification system that not only considers environmental aspects but also social and business aspects, meets international requirements, and enjoys the highest acceptance in the industry and among our customers. Thus, we have created optimal conditions to make our hotels even more sustainable and future-oriented.

Certification Process

To obtain the GreenSign certification, our hotels first fill out the comprehensive criteria catalog. This is followed by an official on-site audit in the respective establishments, during which relevant documents and evidence are reviewed. In total, more than 100 criteria are examined in eight areas:

  • Management and communication
  • Environment (energy, water and waste)
  • Biodiversity & cultural heritage
  • Purchasing
  • Regionalism & mobility
  • Quality management & sustainable development
  • Social responsibility
  • Economic responsibility

The basis for this is formed by internationally recognized guidelines and recommendations for sustainability, which include not only the GSTC criteria (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) but also the international environmental management standard ISO 14001 and ISO 26000, a guide to social responsibility.

For each criterion, a score is awarded to determine the sustainability performance in the different areas. Based on these values, the hotel is then classified into a sustainability level (Level 1-5).

However, after successfully completing an audit, we are not satisfied with the status quo. With our location-specific action plans, we are constantly striving to become more sustainable and to continue to develop.

Best Western Plus Welcome Hotel Frankfurt

With our hotel in Frankfurt, we have been able to achieve Level 4 out of 5 possible levels in the GreenSign certification. The modern 4-star city hotel with 173 rooms has recently increased its efforts towards social and environmental measures, such as:

  • Hotel-owned bees:
    The bees from the hotel's own beehives regularly provide guests with delicious honey.
  • Zero-waste breakfast:
    The morning breakfast buffet avoids unnecessary packaging (*exception: products for allergies/special needs).
  • Diversity at its best:
    The motivated hotel team consists of a total of 34 different nationalities.

Welcome Hotel Neckarsulm

Our hotel in Neckarsulm was also awarded a GreenSign Level 4 certification for its sustainability. For example, for an ecological footprint, the hotel optimized its energy orientation and takes measures such as:

  • Energy efficient new building from 2019:
    Building with 100% LED lighting and motion sensors in all areas.
    The installation of a solar system is planned for 2023.
  • Combined heat and power plant:
    This will allow the hotel to generate its own electricity and heat.
  • Hotel's own herb garden:
    Supplies the hotel kitchen with fresh herbs on a daily basis.

Welcome Parkhotel Euskirchen

The Welcome Parkhotel Euskirchen in the northern Eifel also focuses on social, ecological and economic sustainability. With a GreenSign Level 4 certification, the hotel is committed to, among other things:

  • Rhineland regionality: virtually all suppliers are located in the region (< 100km) and more than half of our employees come from Euskirchen or surrounding communities (< 15 km).
  • Social projects are close to our hearts: Be it the participation in the SOLOCharity Ride 2023 of McDonal's Kinderhilfe, privately organized benefit concerts, the support of the Fluthilfe Euskirchen e.V., a cooperation with the IU International University or the annual acceptance of numerous student interns.
  • Zero-Waste Breakfast: At the morning breakfast buffet, unnecessary packaging is avoided (exception: allergy/specialty products).

To meet our sustainable goals of taking social and economic responsibility and contributing to environmental conservation, we have set ourselves the target of certifying all of our Welcome Hotels. The certification of the Welcome Hotels in Euskirchen, Darmstadt, Marburg and Paderborn are already in progress, additional hotels are planned for 2023.