METICO
This Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS) is prepared by MIGA staff and disclosed prior to the date on which MIGA’s Board of Directors considers the proposed issuance of a Contract of Guarantee. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of MIGA’s activities. This document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the decision by MIGA’s Board of Directors. Board dates are estimates only.Any documentation that is attached to this ESRS has been prepared by the project sponsor, and authorization has been given for public release. MIGA has reviewed the attached documentation as provided by the applicant, and considers it of adequate quality to be released to the public, but does not endorse the content.
MIGA has received an application for a political risk guarantee in support of an investment into an existing project – Mediterranean Tourism Investment Company (the ""company"") which operates as the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort in Amman, Jordan (the ""hotel"") – for up to three years. The hotel has been in operation since 2002, and offers five-star accommodation and leisure services. It is operated and managed by the local branch of the global Four Seasons franchise. The hotel is located on a hill in west Amman, near the Al Sweifiyah residential area, 12 miles from the city center and 18 miles from the Queen Alia International Airport. The MIGA guarantee will not cover any expansion or other major works, only the ongoing operation of the hotel.
This investment in a 196 room hotel, with no physical works planned as part of the investment, is a Category B under MIGA’s Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability. The main social and environmental (""S&E"") issues anticipated in the ongoing operation of this hotel are the health and safety of workers and guests, including but not limited to fire and life safety, the handling of liquid and solid wastes, pollution prevention and abatement, and safety issues relating to site security.
While all Performance Standards are applicable to this investment, based on our current information indicates that the investment will have impacts which must be managed in a manner consistent with the following Performance Standards:
- PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems
- PS2: Labor and Working Conditions
- PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement
- PS4: Community Health, Safety & Security
The following World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines apply to this project:
- General EHS Guidelines
- Industry Sector EHS Guidelines for Tourism and Hospitality Development
The following documents were reviewed by MIGA:
- Social and environmental summary
- Social and environmental audit report, Sustainable Performance Operation Tool (SPOT) by Tourism Partnerships.org
- Four Seasons Environmental and Social Policy
- Four Seasons Employment Policy
- Four Seasons Security and Safety Measures
PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems
The hotel is managed by the local branch of the Four Seasons global franchise. Four Seasons policies apply, and the hotel is subject to internal S&E audits, the results of which have been provided to MIGA and are satisfactory. Staff receive training on safety, energy efficiency, and other S&E issues.
PS2: Labor and Working Conditions
The company employs approximately 400 people. The company is in compliance with local labor law and has in place human resources policies including provisions on equal opportunity, retrenchment, and a grievance mechanism. The company does not employ child labor or forced labor. The HR policy mandates monthly safety meetings which address occupational health and safety concerns for staff.
PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement
Various energy-saving measures are in place, including but not limited to energy-efficient lighting, efficient laundry practices, natural ventilation, proper insulation, targets to reduce water consumption, and regular maintenance of HVAC equipment. Main chillers and exhaust fans are located on the 16th floor, surrounded by sound attenuators to reduce noise. Noise level tests for guest rooms A/C fan coils have been conducted and certified to international standards. The hotel is in compliance with municipal requirements governing water loss and is connected to two networks which carry wastewater away from the hotel: one for rain drainage which is distributed into the city network for irrigation; and one for sewage which connects directly to the municipality’s sewage system without treatment on site. Toxic chemicals used in dry cleaning are collected by the chemical supplier using hazardous materials handling procedures. Solid waste is sorted on property and removed by a waste removal contractor. Frying oil and aluminum cans are recycled. Boilers are maintained in order to meet emissions laws. Pest control is handled by a contractor; chemicals are certified for use by the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology. Chemicals are not stored on site. A generator is on site in case of power failure, housed in a separate building enclosed for noise control. The fuel tank is located in a dedicated basement area.
PS4: Community Health, Safety & Security
The hotel has an emergency response plan developed in collaboration with local authorities. The Security and Loss Prevention Department responds to all accidents and emergencies. The Security Officers are trained in first aid and CPR by the Red Crescent. First aid boxes are disseminated throughout the hotel. Additionally a doctor is present six days per week. With regards to fire emergencies, the Hotel is fitted with state of the art fire fighting system that includes smoke detectors, sprinklers, alarm, fire extinguishers in all areas etc. The Security and Loss Prevention Department conducts routine fire drills in conjunction with the local authorities. All employees are trained in Health and Safety as well as emergency evacuations and other emergency procedures. A number of safety features are used throughout the Hotel from non-slip floor around the pool areas to wet floor signs to avoid slippage. The hotel employs its own security personnel who are unarmed; periodic training is in place. Non-Jordanian workers are screened for communicable diseases in order to obtain a residence permit. Employees in contact with food preparation are internationally certified in food handling practices by the Municipality of Greater Amman, Department of Health and Occupational Control.
As this is a guarantee covering an investment in an existing urban hotel with no new works planned, this section is not applicable.
- Social and environmental summary
- Social and environmental audit report, Sustainable Performance Operation Tool (SPOT) by Tourism Partnerships.org (pages 1-20; pages 21-40; pages 41-end).