Since reopening in 2019, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort has been dedicated to safeguarding and protecting the natural environment and surrounding Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. 

According to InterContinental Hayman Island Resort General Manager, Arpad Romandy, the theme of 2022's Earth Day is a fitting one.  “Invest in Our Planet could not be a more apt theme for this iconic island resort that placed sustainable initiatives at the very heart of its rebuild following Cyclone Debbie in 2017. 

“We had the opportunity to design and rebuild using new technology across the resort and implemented smart room technology in all suites to reduce electricity usage.  Not only has this reduced energy and greenhouse gas emissions but has provided a cost saving of between 20 and 45% annually, and we haven't stopped there”, said Romandy.

“The resort's water is sourced from the purpose-built ocean desalination plant and a partnership forged between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) in 2021, affords the opportunity to assess our water consumption to identify areas for improved efficiency across the island.  This not only helps Hayman Island's own long term sustainability strategy and targets but sharing our findings enables other hotels and resorts to see the environmental and financial benefits of our sustainable practices “, continued Romandy.

To significantly reduce landfill waste, the resort joined forces with Anything Environmental to ensure Hayman Island's recyclable waste (including empty glass and plastic bottles, cans and flavoured milk containers) is sent to an Airlie Beach depot for processing. The resort also undertakes wet food recycling, designed to biologically convert solid food waste materials into eco-friendly and nutrient-rich liquid which flows into the existing sewerage system.  This practice reduces general waste landfill by more than 450 tonnes per annum.

InterContinental Hayman Island Resort continually investigates new initiatives to preserve the world's largest living structure, The Great Barrier Reef, and recently joined the newly formed Whitsunday's Healthy Heart program. Inspired by its namesake, the instantly recognisable Heart Reef, the group aims to decarbonise the tourism sector and see the Whitsunday's become a certifiable sustainable destination to conserve one of the world's most precious jewels for generations to come.

Mr Romandy said “It's very important to us that sustainability initiatives are intertwined with our guest experience. We take our guests on a journey of education throughout their stay, so they understand the importance of what we are doing to protect neighbouring reef ecosystems.  

“We are in the process of launching a new app in addition to the tablets that are already in each suite to support paperless rooms at the resort.  Guests are supplied with reef-safe sunscreen which is a biologically safer sunscreen alternative and are gifted a reusable water bottle upon check-in to reinforce the ban on single-use plastics.”

To further immerse guests in the local environment Hayman Island offers conference groups sustainability tours and interactive sessions with the region's leading marine biologist.  For the little travellers InterContinental Planet Trekker's Kids Club has designed an education program that centres on local marine life and conservation. Kids can enjoy Sand Flat Tours on Hayman's beachfront as expert guides teach them about marine life before taking on Garden Tours with the resort's Executive Chef to plant herbs.

“InterContinental Hayman Island Resort has a strategic commitment to sustainably managing our impact on the environment, whilst continually engaging our guests and the wider community in this important endeavour”, said Romandy.

ENDS

Notes for the editor

Other resort initiatives include;

Smarter Waste Management 

Innovative solutions in waste management are saving the resort up to $7,000 a month. In the second quarter of 2021, the resort began treating its grease traps with enzymes daily. As a result, grease is broken down and safely processed through the resort's sewerage treatment plant. This environmentally safe disposal method means the resort doesn't need have grease tanks pumped out and carried over the reef. The greywater from the treated grease traps can be discharged safely and reused as irrigation water around the island. The resort has worked with a laboratory on the mainland to create a formula that is deemed environmentally safe for the island.

Additionally, all by-product from the resort's sewage treatment plant is used as recycled irrigation water. The resort also undertakes wet food recycling, a process that has reduced general waste landfill by more than 450 tonnes annually.

 Energy conservation

During periods of low occupancy, the resort's Building Management System reschedules everything from fans, AC units and lighting to ensure no device is running in areas not being utilised. Energy consumption targets have been set for each of the resort's departments and as part of training, staff are provided with information on how to preserve energy. The resort has installed meters to indicate how much energy is being used to power everything from individual freezer units, guest rooms and conference facilities. Even the resort's transfer vessels have KPIs for fuel consumption. Energy consumption data is transmitted from devices throughout the resort's facilities and displayed in a central dashboard within the Building Management System software for monitoring.

Water stewardship 
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort champions a water stewardship project in partnership with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). The resort is one of numerous IHG properties taking part in the water stewardship project following a global water risk mapping exercise conducted by IHG. Australia was identified as being a high-risk water market and the resort was selected due to its large water footprint and the opportunities available for learning and intervention.

As part of the initiative, AWS will assess the resort's water consumption, analyse the resort's strengths and weaknesses and help the resort set targets and develop a long-term sustainability strategy. A key part of the project will see AWS help the resort to establish partnerships with non-government organisations and other businesses, that could lead to solutions that will benefit Hayman Island's local community.

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts:  

The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand makes travel alluring, with insights from over 70 years of experience. Each of our properties provides a gateway to the glamour of the InterContinental Life. As a brand, we aim to embody global sophistication through our superior, understated service and exceptional amenities. What makes us truly different is the genuine interest we show our guests through personalised and attentive services. We offer our most valued guests signature VIP services through a dedicated InterContinental® Ambassador program and an exclusive Club InterContinental experience. We connect our well-travelled guests to what's special about a destination, so they enjoy authentic local experiences that will enrich their lives.

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