Alto Hotel on Bourke takes home top tourism award for second year

Alto Hotel on Bourke takes home top tourism award for second year

Tourism Victoria 18 November 2010


Alto Hotel on Bourke has taken out top honours for Excellence in Sustainable at the RACV 2010 & 2009 Victorian Tourism Awards - 47% of travellers say that eco travel is on their agenda.

"Awards from our industry peers are wonderful to receive however it is our guests that drive us to excel." Gary Stickland, general manger of Alto Hotel said. "While we are extremely proud of our sustainability initiatives and achievements they cannot be considered in isolation from our standing as one of Melbourne's leading hotels". Alto Hotel is rated as the most popular hotel 4 star hotel in Melbourne & 6th most popular of 210 hotels in Melbourne*. "Providing excellent guest services and facilities is just as important as being environmentally sustainable as there is little point in being ‘green' if you do not create a great guest experience to begin with." Said Mr Stickland.

Increasingly guests agree with the approach Alto Hotel has taken as proven by the 94% average occupancy of the hotel for 2010, making Alto one of the highest occupied hotels in Melbourne. This is unlikely to change in next year with 47% of travellers indicating that they will take eco-friendly factors in to consideration, such as their carbon footprint or "green" hotel policies, when making travel plans in 2011 according to a recent survey. An annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 travellers was released by Tripadvisor.com on 9 November 2010. Further details can be found at http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i329-c1-Press_Releases.html

The boutique hotel that opened in 2006 is situated on Bourke Street in central Melbourne combines environmental construction technology and best practice initiatives with style, charm and a high level of comfort. The hotel offers accommodation in Hotel rooms, Studio 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments along with restaurant, massage room, gym access & car parking. The building, which brings together classic architecture of late 19th century and a contemporary interior plus a range of inspired services, is rich in environmental features including, double insulation, staggered stud construction on all lightweight walls and ceilings, double glazed, tinted & laminated windows. Plus Initiatives that include:

· 100% of electricity from renewable resources (Wind Power)
· Key cards and pens for guest rooms made from renewable and biodegradable cornstarch.
· Free parking for guests with hybrid or electric vehicles. Electric vehicles can plug into charging points in the car park for recharging using 100% renewable wind generated electricity.
· 95% of lighting uses LED or compact fluorescent globes of 4 to 15 watt
· EarthCheck independent benchmark data at minimum 60% better than best practice target for per guest use of energy, water and waste.
· Further initiatives and details are contained in the attached Environmental Fact Sheet PDF.

 Congratulating Alto Hotel Tourism Victoria chief executive Mark Stone said the awards are instrumental in encouraging a dynamic and competitive tourism industry. "These awards recognise the best tourist experiences across our state and highlight the quality and diversity of tourism experiences we have on our doorstep in Victoria," Mr Stone said. "These awards celebrate the achievements of all those who have worked so hard to make Victoria a world-class tourism destination."

More than 130 tourism operators competed in 26 business categories, with another three individual and group awards presented at a gala ceremony on 15 November. As a Victorian Tourism Awards-winner, Alto Hotel will go on to represent Victoria at the Qantas 2010 Australian Tourism Awards in Perth in March 2011. More information and contact details for winners is available at victoriantourismawards.com.au.

Images are available to media at visionsofvictoria.com.au - choose Mini Collections and Tourism Awards - RACV 2010 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Tripadvisor.com ranking of 210 Melbourne Hotels as at 17 November 2010. Tripadvisor is the world‟s largest travel site (Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Media Group Sites, Worldwide, August 2010)

Ends

Notes to editors
Overview - Alto Hotel on Bourke is a 4 star boutique apartment hotel. Featuring a contemporary stylish interior within a redeveloped 1917, Neo Baroque, heritage listed building formerly known as Unity Hall and occupied by the Australian Railways Union. Opened in 2006 with 50 rooms including hotel rooms, studios, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Facilities include restaurant, bar, parking, wireless broadband, massage room & complementary espresso coffee in the A Lounge. The redevelopment was designed incorporating a number of innovative concepts with the intention of being an environmentally sustainable and highly regarded business. Alto Hotel has received multiple awards for excellence in service and sustainability and maintains accreditation and membership of relevant tourism industry and environmental organisations. Room rates for a studio usually start from $180.00.

Images - High-resolution images available on request. Low resolution images available via e-mail on request.
Images from the awards are also available to media at visionsofvictoria.com.au - choose Mini Collections and Tourism Awards - RACV 2010 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Awards include:
· Winner - 2010 Conde Nast Traveler World Savers - Environment
· Winner - 2010, 2009, Finalist 2008 Victorian Tourism Awards, Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
· Finalist - 2009, Merit - 2008 Victorian Tourism Awards, Deluxe Accommodation
· Winner - 2009, 2008 & 2007 HMAA Awards for Excellence, Best Serviced Accommodation
· Winner - 2009 & 2008 HMAA Awards for Excellence, Sustainable Tourism
· Finalist - 2009 & 2008 Premier's Sustainability Award
· Commendation - 2007 HMAA Awards for Excellence, Sustainable Tourism
· Winner - 2006 BUSINESS 3000, Award for Community Responsibility, Environment

Accreditation
· 4 star rating & Environmentally Friendly rating (AAA Tourism)
· Carbon Neutral - Carbon Reduction Institute
· EarthCheck- Silver certified
· Grow me the money (Victorian state-wide sustainability program) - Platinum member
· Waste wise hotel - Sustainability Victoria
· Accredited Tourism Business - Australian Tourism Accreditation Program

Media contact
Gary Stickland
General manager - Alto Hotel on Bourke
Telephone: 61 3 8608 5502 E-mail: gary@altohotel.com.au
Mobile: 0438 988 564 Web: www.altohotel.com.au

 

 

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