The annual European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) Sustainability Award recognises exceptional dedication to sustainability while upholding the highest standards of luxury and guest experience.

The prestigious accolade was presented to Stephan Stokkermans, Managing Director of Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin and EHMA Vice President and National Delegate for The Netherlands & Belgium during the Gala Dinner at the 52nd EHMA Annual General Assembly, hosted at the prestigious Savoy in London in mid-March 2026.

“The EHMA Sustainability Award, presented annually in partnership with Diversey – A Solenis Company, honours an EHMA member who has excelled in implementing innovative sustainability initiatives during the preceding year,” said Panos Almyrantis, President of EHMA, National Delegate for Greece & Cyprus, and Chief Growth & Commercial Officer at Ella Resorts in Athens. “With the number of applications doubling this year, the level of ambition and the strength of initiatives have been truly outstanding. Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin stood out for its comprehensive ‘Responsible Luxury’ strategy — built from the ground up, anchored in measurable outcomes, and validated through independent assessment. It is a compelling example of how sustainability and high-end hospitality can progress together with purpose and integrity.”

RESPONSIBLE LUXURY

Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin is a compelling expression of “Responsible Luxury”. In a year marked by stronger competition and a noticeable rise in the quality and diversity of sustainability initiatives, Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin distinguished itself through an evidence-led strategy that transforms responsible action into meaningful engagement for both guests and employees. The hotel not only exceeded baseline European sustainability requirements but did so with solutions that are responsible, replicable, and rooted in measurable impact.

“Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin has stood proudly on the Dutch coast for 139 years, and under the Noorlander family’s stewardship, we feel a deep responsibility to leave a positive legacy for the generations that follow,” said Stephan Stokkermans. “Since launching our ‘Responsible Luxury’ journey in 2017, sustainability has become as essential to us as five-star service — measured, reported, and independently audited year after year. We are proud to be the first hotel in the Netherlands to achieve the EarthCheck Gold Certified level in 2025 which represents eight years in the EarthCheck programme. We remain firmly committed to reducing our carbon footprint, protecting biodiversity, strengthening circularity, and championing fair employment and local partnerships.

The hotel’s submission highlighted a holistic strategy, reflected in key initiatives such as:

– An independently developed “Responsible Luxury” model, embedded across the organisation without reliance on an umbrella brand or corporate ESG framework.

– Fact-based, independently verified impact, supported by measurable KPIs and certifications — including achieving EarthCheck Gold Certified level in 2025.

– Zero-waste initiatives, with a 100% recycling rate for paper, plastic bottles, glass, e-waste, batteries, cooking oil, and metal, supported by a circular waste system combining recycling, on-site composting of organic waste, and incineration of residual waste to generate energy.

– Energy transition to renewable energy,, powered by 100% Dutch wind energy and reinforced by a €400,000 investment in heat pump technology and smart energy systems — demonstrating a long-term commitment to reducing emissions at source.

– Circular innovation, including a partnership to upcycle wine bottles into high quality glassware, delivering measurable savings compared with traditional recycling processes.

– Guest engagement through Responsible Luxury, notably through a partnership for beach preservation, inviting guests to collect plastic from the shoreline and rewarding participation with a chocolate from the in-house patisserie.

– Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including a transparent SDG Transition Fee funding initiatives and charitable contributions, reinforcing a model where guests can contribute to supporting SDGs.

– People-first delivery, supported by colleague development and wellbeing programmes that ensure sustainability knowledge, culture, and ownership remain strong at the frontline.

A DISTINGUISHED JURY

This year’s EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey saw the number of applications double, reflecting the hospitality sector’s deepening commitment to meaningful sustainability action. The winner was selected by a jury, with a clear focus on evidence, measurable results, and credible proof points.

The jury also underscored the need for greater precision in sustainability communication — emphasising transparency, data integrity and the avoidance of broad unsubstantiated claims — so that strong initiatives are clearly articulated and translated into compelling, impact-driven submissions.

A NOW MEMBER

Since 2017, GHHTD has been a member of NOW Transforming Hospitality GmbH, also known for its call to urgent action – IT MUST BE NOW!

NOW provides knowledge, expertise and support focused on A.C.T.I.0.N. – Accountability, Compliance, Transparency, Income for green investments, net Zer0 plans, and Nurturing SDGs – to help manage risks, to save and make money, to comply with laws and avoid fines, to be promoted by large OTAs, to develop a Sustainability Management System, to build stakeholder trust and engage support, and to achieve rapid decarbonisation and support SDGs.

NOW recommended the implementation of the EarthCheck Certified programme. The NOW Advisors Hub provides access to qualified Sustainability Specialists to conduct an Internal Audit and Baseline Review, training and support to prepare for audits.

For greater precision in sustainability communications, GHHTD use the NOW Sustainability Reporting Tool. It is an engaging technology designed

– to help hotels align with EmpCo requirements,

– to make sustainability-related data and evidence easier to explain and understand

– to use clear metrics and transform data into visuals and compelling stories

– to showcase certifications to validate efforts and communicate with credibility

– to engage staff to participate, which can lead to higher satisfaction and retention

– to engage guests and make data accessible in every touchpoint of the hotel experience

– to help drive revenue with highlighted direct booking links

– to encourage stakeholder* response for 2-way communications

– to help build stakeholder* trust and support

ABOUT EHMA

EHMA was founded in Rome in 1974, a prestigious non-profit organisation committed to excellence in Europe’s luxury hospitality industry. With a membership of more than 500 top professionals overseeing more than 1,200 premier hotels across 24 countries, EHMA fosters leadership, innovation, and the highest service standards. Through educational initiatives, networking events, and industry research, EHMA drives knowledge-sharing and professional growth while shaping a forward-thinking future for European hospitality.