HICAP 2022 Sustainable Hotel Award Winners
The organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) are pleased to announce the winners for the HICAP 2022 Sustainable Hotel Awards. The 32nd annual HICAP will be held 19-21 October 2022 at the Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford.
The annual HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards are designed to recognize hotels in the Asia Pacific region creating innovative new methods, strategies, and technologies to face today’s sustainable development challenge, while providing tangible examples of sustainable best practices that can be replicated and adapted across the region.
In the category of Climate Action, the winner is Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia. Cardamom Tented Camp is a low-impact, nine-united conservation lodge with restaurant pavilion and excursion amenities situated in Botum Sakor National Park in southwestern Cambodia. The project has a remarkably holistic approach to its business model, as a four-way partnership between The Minor Group, Wildlife Alliance, YAANA Ventures, and the Cambodian Government, whereby in exchange for the hotel’s land concession within the South Cardamom REDD+ conservation project for carbon sequestration, operating profit is given to forest rangers to protect the 18,000 hectares of lowland forest and mangrove sequestering an estimated 108,652 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The camp is powered by 100% onsite solar power for its electricity, has low impact heating and cooking, and natural wastewater filtration processes. The property recycles as much as possible and uses 100% organic personal care products. Future plans include powering its boat with an electric battery, increase local and onsite food sourcing, and undertake community activities for conservation.
In the category of Positive Community Impact the winner is Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi is a sustainable luxury resort in the Maldives. Waste is a priority issue in the Maldives, threatening livelihoods and health of local communities as it is typically burned or left to pollute the environment. Soneva Namoona was launched in 2019 as a collaboration between Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo islands, in partnership with the Maldivian government, Clean BlueAlliance, Parley and Soneva. The aim is to set an example for how all Maldivian islands can better manage their waste and act as stewards of the ocean. Through skills and resource sharing, Soneva Namoona is having a huge impact on the community. The open burning of waste has ceased on the three islands, with 18 additional islands being supported to improve their waste facilities. Water bottling plants have avoided 275,000 plastic bottles and provided a reliable source of drinking water. 1,100 children have been taught to swim and protect the ocean.
In the category of Sustainable Design, the winner is lyf one-north in Singapore. The lyf one-north is a co-living development located in Singapore’s one-north district serving young professionals from the creative and tech industries in the area. The development has been awarded the Green Mark Gold Plus accreditation from BCA. The 324-room property comprises two blocks connected by an inhabited bridge. The space between the two towers functions as a shaded and open amphitheater serving visitors and the public. Strategies like occupancy sensors, efficient VRF Air-con and heat pump systems have been implemented to minimize energy consumption. The building façade is made of precast concrete with various openings with integrated sun-shading ledges and fins. Corridors are naturally ventilated. Several shading canopies are located on the roof and around the grounds.