The ‘ClimaHost’ awards took place on the eve of the 15th Alpine Conference in Innsbruck on 4 April 2019, chaired by Minister Köstinger. The winners were as follows:
First prize: Theiner’s Hotel, Gargazzone (South Tyrol, Italy)
First prize: Theiner’s Hotel, Gargazzone (South Tyrol, Italy)
Second prize: Mountain Design Hotel Eden Selva, Selva di Val Gardena (South Tyrol, Italy)
Third prize: Biohotel Daberer, Dellach am Gailtal (Carinthia, Austria)
Special prize for mountain huts: The Höllentalanger Hut, Grainau (Bavaria, Germany)
Special prize for historic buildings: Hotel Mondschein, Stuben am Arlberg (Vorarlberg, Austria)
The winning accommodations are exemplary in their commitment to climate protection - making use of renewable energy sources, exploiting energy-saving potential, efficiently regulating ventilation and heat, or focusing on regional, sustainable gastronomy.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Svenja Schulze (Germany): ‘The Alpine region in particular is suffering from the impacts of climate change, and has declared itself a model region for that reason. The winners of the ‘ClimaHost’ competition show what this looks like in practice. They set new standards for combining environmental protection and quality. This not only benefits the climate and the environment, but also the guests in the Alps.’
Federal Minister Elisabeth Köstinger (Austria): ‘The untouched nature, the beautiful and diverse landscape – these are the main reasons why tourists come to Austria on holiday. We want to strengthen the Alpine region as a place to live, a recreational and economic area, and a tourist region. The winners of ClimaHost, the first Alpine competition of its kind, are model examples of sustainable tourism.’
Ambassador Markus Reiterer, Secretary General of the Alpine Convention: ‘The Alpine Convention is working towards a climate-neutral Alps. Accommodation providers play a critical role in this, not just as entrepreneurs, but as representatives of a sustainable alpine lifestyle.’
40 companies participated in the ClimaHost competition
Germany, Austria and the Alpine Convention launched ClimaHost last June. Eligible for application were all hotels, tourist accommodation and catering establishments within the scope of the Alpine Convention. The deadline was the end of September 2018; in total, nearly 40 companies took part. A jury made up of representatives of the Alpine countries and NGOs evaluated the applicants and nominated the winners. In addition to a certificate and a trophy, winners received a high-quality video for marketing purposes.