Berlin (February 24, 2006). The first hotel conference of this year's ITB, the Hospitality Day, is to begin with one of the hottest topics in the hotel industry: energy costs. Representatives from the world of politics, industry and the hospitality sector will describe the problems and set out the alternatives.
Rapidly rising oil prices and resulting increases in energy costs for the hotels are all too quickly becoming an area of concern for hoteliers not wishing to see their hard earned savings in other areas swallowed by energy bills. In large all-inclusive resorts, energy costs have already risen above total labour costs. Many hotels on the small islands of the Caribbean or the Pacific already subject to high energy costs resulting from their need for fossil fuels, are already dependent on state subsidy for their continued survival. In view of the worsening global situation, relief is not in sight.
Energy saving technological advances and use of renewable fuels are already available for use in many hotel service areas. All the same, even alternatives as simple and economic as solar heating with its quick amortisation and continued money saving potential, are still by no means standard. Conservative estimates predict energy savings of up to 50% for hotel complexes making use of such renewable energy alternatives.
In light of these facts, the Berlin Trade Fair together with the GTZ (German Technical Corporation) and leading solar power companies will this year present a discussion on this highly relevant topic. As part of the ITB congress's Hospitality Day, the ITB Energy Panel, which will include the market leaders Schueco and Q-cells, will discuss the topic "Energy Efficiency and Solar Power in Hospitality" on Thursday 9 March from 11:45 to 13:15 on hall 7.1.a, Auditorium New York 1. Subject of the discussion will be the significance of energy efficiency, the possibilities of new technology, energy savings, finance alternatives and best price examples.
Schueco, leading German provider for solar technology, energy saving windows and building facades, will also be available for advice and will hold further discussions on the topic throughout the course of the ITB in its very own Energy Lounge (hall 7.1.c, stand 101). Hotel representatives, developers, architects as well as destination representatives interested in the energy discussion should address their requests to klaus.lengefeld@gtz.de , available also by mobile phone +151 1425 9224 or directly by e-mail at Vschwekendiek@schueco.com . / red
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