An award recognising efforts to protect the environment and promote eco-friendly and sustainable development initiatives has been presented to the Fairmont Hotel groups.

Ironically, it comes at a time when the Fairmont Southampton Hotel is facing hundreds of objections from members of the public opposed to a proposal to build 91 condos and other buildings on its golf course, which would reduce the course from 18 holes to 10.

A decision on the hotel?s proposal has not yet been made by the Development Applications Board.

The Canadian-based Fairmont Hotels and Resorts company, which also operates the Hamilton Princess hotel and 42 other hotels around the world, has this week been named winner of the 2006 Global Tourism Business Award in recognition of its environmental initiatives.

?Fairmont have been dedicated environmental stewards since 1990 with the development of the company?s comprehensive Green Partnership programme, designed to minimise the hotels? operating impacts on the environment,? said the company in a statement following the award being presented by the World Travel And Tourism Council.

The hotel group has brought in environmental initiatives such as using wind-powered electricity for its front desk check-in computers in North America, improvements to waste management and energy and water conservation and giving guests opportunities to ?go green? by becoming involved in environmental projects.

Company president Chris Cahill said: ?We?re very proud to have Fairmont?s industry-leading Green Partnership program recognised with this prestigious accolade.

?The award is a credit to our colleagues world-wide, dedicated environmental stewards who are passionate about protecting the natural and cultural resources of our unique destinations.?