Singapore’s launch of the Hotel Sustainability Impact Challenge and a S$30,000 (US$22,000) award will see a start-up with the most impactful solution piloting it with a hotel in Singapore.
The award, given by Enterprise Singapore, a government agency championing enterprise development, was announced at the recent Hotel Sustainability Conference and Marketplace (HSCM) 2023, organised by the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA).
Margaret Heng, SHA executive director, said the Hotel Sustainability Impact Challenge winner – N&E Innovations – was judged on its management team, proposed solution for the hotel industry, impact of their value proposition, business model as well as go-to-market plans.
According to Heng, the winner of the challenge is free to engage and work with any interested hotel in Singapore.
She continued: “The aim of the challenge is to encourage hotels to be a living lab to testbed new sustainable solutions to push boundaries while working towards the hotel sustainability roadmap targets.
“Additionally, we hope to recognise promising high-impact start-ups and spur innovation in the hospitality industry.”
In transforming the hospitality sector for a green future, SHA revamped the Hotel Sustainability Awards and launched the new Hotel Sustainability Playbook at the second HSCM.
Previously, SHA organised the Singapore Green Hotel Award and the SHA-NEA 3R Awards for Hotels.
The two award schemes have been combined into the Singapore Hotel Sustainability Award and is supported by the Building and Construction Authority, National Environment Agency, Public Utilities Board and Singapore Tourism Board.
Heng noted: “Additionally, the criteria have been updated to be in line with internationally-recognised standards.
“All SHA hotel members were invited to participate in the award scheme via a self-nomination process and submissions were vetted by a panel of judges comprising SHA and the relevant agencies to ensure that the criteria are met.”
Meanwhile, the Hotel Sustainability Playbook interactive playbook will feature local and international best practices, case studies and the latest sustainability trends and solutions.
