The Jeddah Conference Palace Hotel is an Inter-Continental Hotel which aims to contribute to the protection and the preservation of the environment for this and future generations through a number of environmental initiatives, including, actively conserving natural resources and energy in hotel operations; efficiently managing and minimizing hotel waste production; utilising products and materials which are environmentally friendly; fully recognising and practicing environmentally sound activities, thereby generating improvements in environmental performance in the Palace; pursuing action programmes that benefit the environment of the Palace's local community; and fostering environmental awareness both internally and externally

• Various waste materials (paper, card, soap, cooking oil, aluminium, plastic) collected and recycled

• Guest rooms converted to energy-saving light bulbs
• Similar concept applied to all staff accommodation
• Together with other energy-saving schemes, savings of US$18,392 were reported between Oct '98 - Sept '99

• Fresh water supplies are analysed monthly to ensure that contamination is prevented

• The Hotel's sewage effluent is connected to the municipality's sewage treatment plant, which supplies treated water free of charge to the municipality for irrigation
• Treated waste water trucked to the hotel for irrigation is substantially cheaper than purchasing water from the local desalination plant

• Housekeeping, Stewarding, Laundry and Engineering departments conduct regular training sessions in the handling of hazardous substances

• Trees planted during the last two years in the designated environmental area adjacent to the hotel are growing well

• The 2^nd Environmental Exhibition was held at the Saudi Arabian International School, in association with the WTM Environmental Awareness Day. A month-long art competition was organised to encourage participation among the student populace. The activity was widely covered in the local media
• A session on the environment has been included in the orientation programme for all employees
• An environmental mural and a special bulletin board for announcements, clippings, etc on environmental matters have been installed in the employees' service corridor

• The Hotel has constant contact with international magazines for new environmental initiatives, which can be applied in the hotel industry

• Air handlers and exhaust ducts are regularly maintained
• Routinely serviced washable filters are replacing disposable hi-efficiency pleated filters

• Supplies are purchased in bulk if possible, as this necessitates less packaging
• Preference for environmentally-friendly products
• The hotel seeks to replace existing products with energy-efficient alternatives
• Encourage suppliers to follow sensible environmental business practices

Dionisio A Lora

Jeddah Conference Palace Hotel