Auditors Doris Wirth, Benedikt Ertl and Snježana Turalija
BLUESAVE Consulting GmbH and GREENIKA d.o.o.
International recognition confirms the highest standards of sustainable management,
energy efficiency, guest experience and engagement with the local community
Marea Suites 5*, Valamar Collection in Poreč, has been awarded the Platinum DGNB Certificate – Building in Use, the highest level of recognition in one of the world's leading sustainability certification systems. The certificate confirms the high standards Marea Suites applies in energy and resource management, guest experience, sustainable mobility, cooperation with the local community, and strategic and responsible business management.
Unlike certificates that focus on individual environmental indicators, DGNB applies a holistic approach to sustainability. During the certification process, Marea Suites underwent a detailed evaluation of various aspects of the property's management and operations, ranging from energy and water consumption to guest experience, infrastructure, relationships with the local community and long-term planning.
The Platinum DGNB Certificate is a major achievement for Marea Suites and a confirmation of the direction in which Valamar has been developing higher-value tourism for years. At Valamar, sustainability is an integral part of business operations, and the highest level of DGNB certification demonstrates that premium quality, responsible resource management, care for people and strong connections with the destination can be successfully combined in a single tourism product.
Marea Suites uses 100 percent electricity from renewable sources, while 85 percent of its lighting consists of energy-efficient LED lights. Systematic energy management is based on the ISO 50001 standard, energy audits and detailed monitoring of individual energy sources, while automated systems enable the maintenance and monitoring of optimal temperatures throughout the property. Water consumption, waste separation and waste management are also handled responsibly in all areas of the hotel.
Sustainability is also directly linked to the quality of the guest experience. In addition to continuously monitoring guest satisfaction, Marea Suites is developing infrastructure that supports more sustainable ways of travelling and staying, including charging stations and parking spaces for electric vehicles, as well as a fully equipped bike room for cycling tourists. The property also holds ISO 14001, ISO 50001, Travelife and Blue Flag certifications, further confirming its ongoing commitment to high environmental and operational standards.
An important element of the DGNB evaluation is the relationship with the destination in which the property operates. Marea Suites cooperates with local businesses and partners and supports sporting and social events such as Istria300 and the Poreč Dolphin swimming marathon, extending sustainability beyond the hotel itself and connecting it with the development of the local community.
“This recognition is particularly important to us because DGNB takes a holistic view of sustainability – considering not only environmental and energy indicators, but also the quality of the guest experience, management, mobility and relationships with the local community. The Platinum level confirms that we are integrating the sustainability standards we have established into our daily operations over the long term. Our goal is to continue raising the bar and demonstrating that sustainable development can be one of the key drivers of quality and competitiveness in Croatian tourism,” said Ivan Krešimir Kriste, Director of Investment Projects at Valamar.
The Platinum DGNB Certificate awarded to Marea Suites builds on a series of international recognitions through which Valamar continues to demonstrate its sustainable development strategy. Valamar Amicor Resort on Hvar previously received a Gold DGNB Certificate, while Arba Resort 4*, Valamar Collection on Rab and Pical Resort 5*, Valamar Collection in Poreč received Gold DGNB Pre-Certificates. The new Platinum level represents another significant step forward in the application of high international sustainability standards across Valamar's portfolio.
“We are extremely pleased that Valamar, as one of Croatia's leading tourism companies, has once again recognised the importance of international certification and sustainability, with Marea Suites, Valamar Collection becoming a holder of the Platinum DGNB Certificate in Croatian tourism. This prestigious recognition confirms a commitment to the highest sustainability standards and demonstrates how a responsible approach to construction and business operations can create long-term value for guests, destinations and local communities,” said Tanja Mance, Deputy Executive Director of the Croatia Green Building Council.
DGNB is one of Europe's leading sustainability certification systems, evaluating properties holistically by considering environmental, economic and sociocultural aspects, as well as the quality of processes and management. The certification process in Croatia is carried out in cooperation with the Croatia Green Building Council, the national partner of the DGNB system.
Read more at:
https://valamar-riviera.com/hr/novosti/marea-suites-valamar-collection-prvi-hrvatski-hotel-s-najvisim-platinastim-dgnb-certifikatom-za-odrzivost/
www.gbccroatia.org
Source: Public Relations, Valamar