The Twelve in Bearna has been awarded Best Sustainable Four Star Hotel in Europe at the 2022 GrINN Awards, the European sustainable tourism awards, an event that rewards hotels, leaders and companies in the European tourism sector that go the extra mile to help develop a more sustainable tourism industry. The Twelve was also awarded runner-up in the Best Sustainable Accommodation: Ireland category.

The GrINN Awards by Quartz Inn Hotels promote good sustainable practices in the tourism sector with the aim of increasing general awareness of the impact of tourism activity on the environment. The jury consisted of four leaders in their field — Jakob Nader, head of sales for PLAZA Hotelgroup; Cristina Castilla, a freelance expert in customer experience and tourism; Lidiia Tkachenko, co-founder of Quartz Inn Hotels and Floris Licht, chairman of the Convention Bureau Event Park in Amsterdam and Chief Tree-Planting Officer. Hotels and other types of properties, travel companies and tourism leaders from 23 European countries were nominated across 50 different categories.

Fergus O'Halloran, Managing Director of The Twelve is delighted with the win. “Sustainability is something that is close to our hearts at The Twelve,” he says. “Our constantly-evolving approach to doing things better is always based on care and commitment to our immediate environment and that of the wider region. From supporting local businesses through sourcing and showcasing local produce, managing our consumption of resources in a responsible way, using those that have the least impact on the environment, investing in new technologies and systems and, above all, taking good care of our team here at The Twelve, we believe all these actions make for a better and enhanced experience for everyone — especially our guests. We are really pleased to have our work towards being a truly responsible tourism business recognised by this GrINN Best Sustainable Four Star Hotel in Europe Award.”