1. Introduction. HES balance

Hotel Energy Solutions (HES) project aims to facilitate the use of renewable energies (RE) and energy efficient (EE) systems for small and medium sized hotels. This will help to reduce hotel operational costs, while increasing competitiveness and sustainability, and assist in alleviating the industry's impact on climate change.

The HES has encompassed the following actions:

• The creation of a series of tools and materials to help small and medium-sized hotels to plan for and invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies;
• Testing these tools in hotels and apply the results in making improvements;
• Publishing information on these tools, disseminating and promoting the appropriate practical solutions for small and medium-sized hotels.

Palma has always been a coastal destinations highly committed with sustainability matters and responsible tourism. It embraced the HES project and has actively participated throughout the pilot phase to ensure that the project and its results will respond to the sector's actual needs. This involvement has a more far-reaching effect by showing the overall importance of EE/RE for any destination and helping generate support for and encourage local incentives and measures to promote EE/RE.
Twenty-three hotels in the city of Palma have been participating in this project, taking advantage of the opportunity to benefit from free, specialized training in energy efficiency and renewable energies organized by some of the most significant worldwide agencies in the spheres of tourism and energy

Those hotels are: Melià Palas Atenea, Hotel Tres, Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, Isla Mallorca, Saratoga, Nautic, Las Arenas, Aparthotel Plaza Son Rigo, Castillo Hotel Son Vida, HM Jaime III, HM Gran Fiesta, HM Tropical, Costa Azul, Marina Luz, Pamplona, Nets, Hotel y Apartamentos Leman, Tryp Bosque, Iberostar Royal Cristina, Hotel Dalí, Zurbarán, Pabisa Bali and AC Ciutat de Palma.

Along with Palma as a coastal destination, other destinations were selected to participate in the pilot phase of the project and have the opportunity to boost their sustainability and competitiveness. These pioneer destinations are: Haute-Savoie (mountain destination), Bonn (urban destination) and the Nature Park of Strandja in Bulgaria (rural destination).