Luton Today: Luton Today article

Green pools take top prize at travel awards

Luton businessman's dream for environmentally-friendly holiday resort proves an internation hit
Going green has turned to gold for a leading Luton business guru.

Millionaire philanthropist Jan Telensky took the top environmental prize at the Annual World Travel Awards for his super-modern AquaCity resort in central Europe.

The holiday complex fought off competitors from as far away as the Maldives, the Caribbean, South America and Australia to take the top spot as the World's Leading Green Resort.

Mr Telensky, who is also managing director of the international SkillsTrain organisation in Collingdon Street, said it had taken him just three years to build his £60 million swimming pools getaway in Poprad, in northern Slovakia.

"With no previous experience in the travel industry at all, I've shown the world that affordable, green luxury can go hand in hand," he said.

"I have fulfilled the vision I had to create a luxury resort that runs on geothermal water and the sun's energy to power its hotels, pools, spa, conference and leisure facilities."

The complex's 287 bedrooms in three and four star hotels welcome 1.2 million visitors a year - 40 per cent coming from Slovakia.

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