Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles; Credit: MECO

On Friday 2 February 2024, Luxembourg’s Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, presented the labels “EcoLabel Luxembourg” and “bed+bike”.

Four new accommodations obtained the “EcoLabel Luxembourg”, while three earned the “bed+bike” label and were therefore rewarded for their eco-responsible practices.

Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity stressed that the promotion of sustainable tourism is among the priorities of the government. The stated aim is to implement a sustainability strategy, complementary to the national tourism strategy. According to the ministries, the Luxembourg tourist offer should be linked to the concept of sustainability with its four dimensions, namely ecological, social, economic and heritage sustainability. In this context, the government will continue to support the “EcoLabel” in order to promote sustainable tourist accommodation in Luxembourg.

Created 25 years ago, the “EcoLabel” is aimed at Luxembourg tourist accommodation structures and is currently held by 45 hotels, campsites, youth hostels, group accommodation and rural lodges. To obtain the label, these establishments stand out for their environmentally friendly practices. They do so in particular by reducing their energy and water consumption, by offering their customers food and drinks from local and organic farming, by reducing packaging and plastic, using cleaning products and other ecological supplies and using renewable energy. The “EcoLabel” is the result of a close collaboration between Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy, Oekozenter Pafendall and the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity. The “EcoLabel” is a reference label at the national level.

Minister Delles emphasised that “our tourism strategy pays great attention to sustainable development. We want to create a qualitative and environmentally friendly stay for the benefit of residents, cross-border commuters and tourists. I am convinced that tourism destinations that are sustainable will have a competitive advantage in the future. With the “Ecolabel”, we support the sector in its essential sustainable transformation.”

Minister Wilmes added: “Much more than a simple sign of recognition, this label represents the result of sustained efforts, rigorous planning and deep commitment towards ecological principles. It illustrates how businesses can play a significant role in protecting our planet, while providing quality services to their customers.”

Isabelle Schummers, coordinator of the “EcoLabel Luxembourg” at the Oekozenter Pafendall indicated that “this year, we have had more requests from establishments interested in obtaining the label. We are also delighted that three new hotels and a new campsite have been awarded the “Luxembourg Ecolabel”. This demonstrates that the sector is making a greater commitment to the environment and the climate on a daily basis.”

Minister Delles also officially presented the “bed+bike” certificate to the Coque Hôtel *** SUPERIOR, De Brauhotel and the Hotel Kazakiwi having successfully met the labelling criteria.

The “bed+bike” label was introduced in Luxembourg in 2011, in close collaboration between the General Directorate for Tourism and ProVelo.lu. Establishments that bear the label make an extra effort to welcome cycle tourist customers, in particular by adapting their services and infrastructure to their specific needs. The “bed+bike” label requires that establishments provide cycle tourists with secure storage for their bicycles and tools for carrying out small interventions on the bicycles, that tourist information for cycle tourists is available on site and that a well-balanced breakfast is offered.

Minister Delles indicated in this context that “cycling tourism is among the flagships of our tourist offer. Our objective is to support sustainable tourism by bicycle by encouraging residents, cross-border commuters and tourists to discover the diversity of Luxembourg's landscapes by bike. The “bed+bike” label makes it possible to strengthen this tourist attractiveness by promoting accommodation structures that meet the specific needs of cycle tourists”.

Jo Klein, project manager at ProVelo.lu, emphasised: “we are pleased to be able to award the ‘bed+bike’ label to three new establishments this year and to thus be able to respond to the ever-increasing demand for accommodation. suitable for cyclists. By strengthening the promotion of the ‘bed+bike’ label and cycling in Luxembourg during international bicycle fairs, we hope to continue to attract many cycle tourists to Luxembourg.”

The establishments classified as “EcoLabel Luxembourg” in 2024 are as follows:

  • Larochette Youth Hostel (gold)
  • Youth Hostel Remerschen (silver)
  • Camping Liefrange (silver)
  • Camping Park Beaufort (gold) – newly certified
  • Camping Schützwiese (silver)
  • Urspelt Castle (gold)
  • De Brauhotel (gold) – newly certified
  • Haff A Mëchels (gold)
  • Ibis Esch Belval (gold)
  • Le Royal Hotels & Resorts Luxembourg (gold)
  • Meliã Luxembourg (silver)
  • Misärshaff (silver)
  • MONDORF Parc Hotel & SPA****SUPERIOR (gold)
  • NH Luxembourg (bronze) – newly certified
  • Péitry Restauberge (bronze) – newly certified

The establishments classified as “bed+bike” in 2024 are as follows:

  • Hull Hotel *** SUPERIOR
  • De Brauhotel
  • Hotel Kazakiwi