Polynesian Spa Earns Environmental Award

Polynesian Spa Earns Environmental Award

Polynesian Spa has gained a Qualmark Enviro Gold Award, recognising its high standards in environmental practices.

The company is now amongst an elite group of 163 Enviro Gold Award recipients nationwide (out of more than 800 overall Enviro awards).

To earn New Zealand tourism’s official environmental award, Polynesian Spa had to show effectiveness in energy efficiency, waste management and water conservation, with community activities and conservation initiatives also considered under Qualmark’s environmental criteria.

Managing Director Martin Lobb says “One of the key reasons for this award, we believe, is our determination to conserve geothermal mineral water resources in Rotorua. Polynesian Spa has invested in a proprietary heat exchange system that sanitises our used hot mineral water, and allows it to be reheated – by geothermal heat – and to be re-used. All the steam we use from our production bores, therefore, is carefully recycled. Because of this, we are able to limit our use of geothermal water – making us a far more sustainable operation. It is gratifying to have our efforts and commitment to the environment acknowledged in this Award.”

Mr Lobb recently spoke at an international thermal tourism congress held in Spain on the importance that New Zealand places on the sustainability of its natural resources, and its geothermal resources.

“All businesses that achieve Qualmark Enviro Awards have met very high standards for environmental practices”, says Qualmark General Manager, Paula McCallum, “with the Enviro Award Gold recognizing the top performers in this area.”

“Environmental practices are evaluated as part of our quality assessment process and Enviro Awards are granted to businesses showing a high degree of commitment to caring for their environment and their community,” says Ms McCallum.

Qualmark® is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation - helping the traveling public identify over 2,300 great places to stay, things to do and ways to get around.

Accommodation, activities and transport businesses carrying the Qualmark® logo have been independently assessed to meet rigorous quality standards and environmental criteria.

ENDS

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