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Austria’s leading five-star family and wellness resort, Naturhotel Forsthofgut in Leogang near Salzburg, has been named Eco-Hotel of the Year in the Destination Deluxe Awards 2024.
Photo credit: Naturhotel Forsthofgut
Announced on 19 September at a glittering awards ceremony in Bangkok, it was the first time Forsthofgut had entered. Christoph Schmuck, owner of the wellness retreat said: ‘we are overjoyed to have been singled out for this prestigious accolade. It is a welcome endorsement of our continued team effort to look after our beautiful environment and planet. Every member of staff has had a hand in our success, and I am proud to accept this award on their behalf.’
A panel of 20 respected judges - each an expert in their field - identified Forsthofgut as the Eco-Hotel of the Year in recognition of its meticulous execution of sustainable practice across all departments and an exceptional contribution to the wellness, spa, beauty and travel sector.
Photo credit: Naturhotel Forsthofgut
Examples of Forsthofgut’s eco-practice include: plastic-free and recycled paper, boxes and packaging policy throughout; 100% biodegradable cleaning products; clean energy created by a bio-mass heating plant (fuelled by fallen wood from their own forest) and an R50 menu (all ingredients sourced within a 50km radius). Guests are also offered a linen towel – handmade by a local artisan - as a departing gift.
The Destination Deluxe Awards, now in their sixth year, honour leaders and pioneers in wellness and travel, celebrating their excellence and rigorous standards. Quality, transparency, and originality are key criteria and recognition is for today’s change-makers who push boundaries and innovate in their fields. There are 25 categories of which three are ‘People’s Choice’ inviting the public to vote on the shortlists drawn up by the judges.