Sustainability in the hotel, restaurant and tourism sector has been a trend that is on the rise for several years now, and new habits are taking hold both locally and globally. Since this depends on natural resources, the transition to neutral or zero-carbon tourism is crucial both for the business and for the protection of the habitat where hotels and restaurants are located. When the environment suffers from human action, the lack of protection of native species of both fauna and flora and the lack of care for spaces, it directly affects the sector and its influx of tourists.
Consumers are increasingly aware of their environmental footprint, and therefore seek to engage in eco-friendly activities and stay in places that implement sustainable policies. The 2023 Sustainable Travel Report presented by Booking.com revealed that 84% of Argentine travelers would like tourism companies to offer more sustainable options and 81% stressed that they would feel better if they stayed in an accommodation that they know has a sustainable certification. Undoubtedly, certifications increase tourist demand and can extend the average stay due to the environmental appeal that they entail. “The implementation of certifications and the popularization of sustainable tourism in the country strengthens the image that the area is a responsible destination committed to the environment,” says Jorge Moller, Program Director for Latin America at GSTC, speaker at Hotelga 2024.
Today, the rise in sustainability-focused certifications is noticeable throughout Latin America. “Latin America has a unique natural and cultural wealth, and it also drives interest in sustainable practices that protect natural resources. In the region, there is a growing focus on the protection of biodiversity and the promotion of tourist experiences that benefit local communities,” Moller added. Companies know that commercially this is the future and anticipating possible municipal or national requirements for this type of certification allows them to increase their client portfolio.
Sustainability is not only linked to nature, it also has a social and economic impact. On the social level, it is essential to incorporate local communities into the tourism agenda to enable the use of resources and facilitate environmental care. Community initiatives can be carried out to defend and protect the flora and fauna of the place, which is essential for the communion between companies in the sector and the inhabitants of the area. An example of this is the project carried out by the Iguazú Lodge Hotel in the province of Misiones, where they implemented a greenhouse of native plants and flowers with the local community of Jasy Porá. The person responsible for its execution together with the hotel is the former chief Roberto Moreira. “The project was created in 2018 and the initial push came from the community of Jasy Porá. Today, it is the second nursery of native species and the first nursery recognized by INASE as a native seed reproduction area,” said Juan Manuel Velasco, a consultant in tourism sustainability, who advises at each stage of the project, which was the winner in the Actions that Create History category, in the 11th edition of the 2023 Sustainable Hospitality Competition.
In the region, they understand the importance of caring for the environment and its coexistence with tourism, since it is one of the main activities in the area. This is why both the public and private sectors are the promoters of sustainable actions that contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.
The commitment and participation of local communities is essential, including in employment, hiring, products, experiences, goods and services. The impact in this case is not only social but also economic, allowing for the development of the region and boosting the growth of locals, who receive the profits from the activity. The so-called “multiplier effect” is generated, in which the tourist who buys a souvenir benefits the entire value chain (production, raw materials, distribution, seller, etc.). Involving travelers directly in restoration activities can be a way to maximize the impact. It also helps connect visitors with the destination and give them an even more satisfying and memorable experience.
Nature-positive tourism is an activity that minimizes environmental damage and actively invests in restoring nature in tourist destinations or in building structures. Making modifications to take advantage of the use of natural light or even the kinetic energy generated by guests. This is the case of the Green Steps project, winner of the “Innovative Ideas” category for students of the 2023 Sustainable Hospitality Competition – Greener Hotels, which aims to motivate guests to be more active by using stairs instead of elevators. “Each step generates kinetic energy that can be stored and converted into clean and sustainable electrical energy. It is a solution to the problem of electricity supply and a step forward in the use of alternative energies, key to carrying out recreational activities with low environmental impact, thus reducing the carbon footprint generated by the sector,” said Alder Farid, a member of the project.
Caring for the environment is key to the future of tourism, hospitality and gastronomy. There is definitely great expectation to meet the future winners of the Sustainable Hospitality Competition, in the Grand Final that will take place at Hotelga 2024, who have the challenge of presenting innovative and sustainable ideas that generate a positive impact on the communities in which they are located. It is essential to promote actions that counteract the human impact that facilitates the loss of native fauna and flora.