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On 17th January Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) announced the winners of the ZKB Sustainability Award. The Swiss Youth Hostels are proud to have received the ZKB Sustainability Award with a prize value of CHF 70,000. For the first time ever the award was received by a tourism organisation.

Mr Urs Oberholzer, Chairmann of the Zürcher Kantonalbank, emphasised in his honorary speech that the Swiss Youth Hostels had recognised sustainability as an entrepreneurial challenge and opportunity. Implementation was then gradually and methodically executed over the last few years. In assessing the submissions the jury took the economical, ecological and social aspects of the sustainable achievements into equal consideration.

Sustainability – an important part of the Swiss Youth Hostels’ philosophy

The Swiss Youth Hostels understand the award as an appreciation of a long commitment to development in the area of sustainability. CEO, Fredi Gmür, is very pleased about receiving the award: “For over 15 years the Swiss Youth Hostels has consistently pursued and implemented their sustainability strategy, which is one of our key objectives and an important part of our mission statement.” René Dobler, CEO Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism, emphasises the statement: “The award is also a symbol that besides taking ecological aspects into consideration we are also proficient in delivering high quality as well as economical sustainability in our already realised constructional renovations as well as in our planned future projects”.

Sustainability is an important component of the Swiss Youth Hostels’ organisational philosophy. They promote quality-orientated, socially responsible and environmentally sound tourism for young people and families. As far back as 1994 a mission statement was created for balancing its economic, social and ecological activities. In the recent past the Swiss Youth Hostels were active in the certification process of the EU Eco-Label and the Ibex Label. 34 Swiss Youth Hostels are already certified with both labels and by the end of 2011 all its hostels shall have achieved these certifications.

After winning the Swiss Milestone Tourism Award for their sustainability strategy, the Hans. E. Moppert Prize for outstanding performance in the field of ecology and sustainable development, the myclimate Award for the best integration solution and the Award for Marketing & Architecture in green technology, the ZKB Sustainability Award is the fifth award for the Swiss Youth Hostels for their efforts in sustainability.