Green/Eco Hotel Initiative
Recognizing a hotel that has demonstrated remarkable initiative in adopting forward- thinking and environmentally responsible practices
Adrère Amellal Oasis and Singita Grumeti Reserves
Egypt's Adrère Amellal, a spare Berber-style hotel set in a verdant oasis, and Singita Grumeti Reserves, an opulent safari lodge in the Serengeti, may differ in scope, scale, and geography, but this year's co-winners do share one important trait. They are both shining examples of a bold new development model—for-profit conservation.
Constructed from kershef, a naturally heat-resistant mixture of rock salt and clay, and built without telephones or electricity (oil lamps are used for lighting, braziers for heating), the beautifully designed 39-room Adrère Amellal is a testament to the sustainable building traditions—and lifestyles—of the local Siwan community. It is also a means to preserve their culture in a global economy. The restoration of the property has led to a revival of Berber architecture in Siwa, and Environmental Quality International, the company behind the resort, is using its revenue to market Siwan handicrafts and oasis-grown produce around the world.
In Tanzania, the year-old Singita Grumeti Reserves has already had a profound effect on its 350,000-acre corridor of the Serengeti. Before Grumeti began administering the land, in 2002, widespread poaching of wildlife threatened the long-term sustainability of tourism in the region. The reserve's approach to stopping the poaching has been two-pronged: develop a 100-member enforcement unit, and invest $2 million in area villages to stimulate economic alternatives. As Grumeti's reputation as one of Africa's premier safari camps grows, so does the property's ability to protect the area around it—demonstrating an unusual symbiosis between conservation and capitalism.
