In our series “Sustainability pioneers” we regularly introduce personalities paving the way for eco-friendly and socially responsible hotel practices. Today, we introduce you to Ben Förtsch from Hotel Luise.

Luise and a “green weirdo”

In 1956, Ben’s grandparents, Heinz and Marga Förtsch, laid the foundation for Hotel Luise. They were in the right place at the right time and benefited from Erlangen’s economic growth in the next years. The hotel was named after Ben’s great-grandmother, Luise. When his father, Klaus, started managing the hotel at the end of the 1980s, the “green weirdo” decided for the sustainable way despite the skepticism of many others. “The balancing act between high ecological goals and the economic aspects has not always been easy,” Klaus Förtsch described the challenges of a green hotel practice. 

A tree hugger’s entrepreneurship

Through the years, not only the Hotel, but son Ben grew into the role of the hotel director. He has been managing the hotel since 2014 and continues his father’s eco-management: “We are also guided by others, but pursue sustainability the way we understand it,” says Ben. In the meantime, various awards adorn the hotel’s walls, partly due to his ideas and visions. In 2016, the anniversary year, he launched “the renewable hotel room“, a Cradle-to-Cradle®-certified project. All of the materials used in these rooms are either regenerative or recyclable, thus creating a circular economy. Thanks to Ben’s commitment, Hotel Luise was the first climate-positive hotel in Germany: “We are proud of being awarded a climate-positive hotel since 2015.”

Business meets environmental protection at Hotel Luise

In the course of time, Hotel Luise became more and more a “green” business hotel and, thus, connects the business world to environmental protection. In the rooms and the hotel, natural and eco-friendly materials foster the (business) guests’ well-being, a technology developed by NASA saves water while showering without minimizing the comfort, and organic, regional food keeps the guests’ health. Above all, the biotope garden reflects the green philosophy that characterizes the Hotel. Guests can breathe fresh „Erlangen air“ on almost 1,500 m². In addition, the hotel supports the “Charter of Diversity”, an initiative of the German Government, and is committed to being a fair employer. 

We are curious to see the future initiatives arising from Ben’s pioneering spirit that will be implemented at Hotel Luise.