2400 Motel recently achieved GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Silver Certification, and was recognized for their efforts in sustainability by the British Columbia Hotel Association with the 2024 Sustainability Champion Award. Read on to learn more about their achievements and ambitions for the future!
Tell us a bit about your business. What makes you different?
For over 75 years, the 2400 Motel has welcomed visitors and new arrivals seeking a place to call home. In our nostalgic 65-room motor court Motel, you’ll find classic style guest rooms, kitchenettes, and complete bungalows. The 2400 Motel is important for its historical, formal, aesthetic and cultural values, most particularly for being a prominent marker of the evolution of Kingsway following the Second World War. One of the premier motor court addresses following its construction in the years immediately following the Second World War, the 2400 Motel is the sole remaining record of Kingsway assuming the key role in providing up-to-date car-oriented accommodation for North Americans traveling to Vancouver. The 2400 Motel is a marker of the coming-of-age of Kingsway as the northern terminus of the Pacific Highway, which linked Vancouver to the American highway system south to Mexico. The 2400 Motel is a rare place of shared memories. Not only did the 2400 Motel function as a home-away from home for many travelers, with loyal visitors repeatedly returning to stay over many decades, but it has entered Vancouverites’ collective imagination as a seemingly immutable part of the city – a whole, miniature world from an earlier simpler time.
Why is sustainability important to you/your business?
The 2400 has been a landmark in the city for over 75 years, and we want to be part of the leading edge to help guide the next 75 years! Sustainability is critical to this mission, because it impacts both the legacy and the future so directly.
Why did you join GreenStep Sustainable Tourism?
We were looking into ways to formally recognize our efforts, and provide additional framework and resources for continued growth. Taking the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge was an initial effort, and this was focused through the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge highlighted by Greenstep. GreenStep is a leader in the industry, home grown in Canada, and is an active collaborator with key players for change and growth. The connection was obvious, and we’re thrilled to be part of it.
What sustainability related projects, policies or initiatives do you most want travelers to know about?
Great question, and so many things! Some of the big wins include: elimination of single use plastics in room, eco friendly bath amenities, full LED light conversion inside and out, aerated shower heads and faucets, rain water barrels, Terry/Linen replacement with certified models requiring less energy to clean, installing EV Chargers, and replacing carpet with PEFC low emission flooring planks. We have also launched a tree planting initiative where we plant a tree for every online direct reservation made.
What are some goals and/or actions you plan to take in the future to further increase the sustainability of your business?
We have some metric goals surrounding HCMI and carbon emissions, but the ultimate goal is to never be complacent. Stay ambitious, and curious – keep turning over stones and ideas as there is so much potential for positive change! That’s our outlook for most things, but surely for sustainability ? We launched a tree planting initiative and based on how that goes we may do others (like planting sea kelp!). Our big goal for this year is a project surrounding our boilers. With our age and infrastructure, a boiler upgrade represents one of the biggest areas we can impact, and so we are exploring ways we can make that viable!