In the context of the growing water crisis affecting various regions of the country, the Alliance for Water Sustainability in Tourism and the Helvex AC Foundation celebrated the ninth edition of the Hydro Sustainable Hotel Award, an unprecedented program that recognizes hotels that implement policies and actions to preserve water and thus reduce their environmental impact. This year, 170 hotels received the award and one received special recognition, consolidating the sector's efforts to contribute to a sustainable water future.
The Hotel Hidro Sustentable Distinction is awarded voluntarily to hotels that, through investments and efficiency strategies, have managed to significantly reduce their water consumption. In this edition, the participating hotels managed to reduce, on average, 13% of their water consumption, saving almost 2 million pesos, a crucial figure in the current context in which Mexico faces prolonged droughts and water shortages in various regions.
During the awards ceremony, Alma Meneses, General Manager of Fundación Helvex, stressed that “in the face of an unprecedented water crisis, collaboration between the tourism sector and society is vital. In tourism, where the demand for water is high, every drop counts. For this reason, we celebrate that this year we have 171 hotels committed to responsible and efficient water management.”
The actions of the recognized hotels include good management of water resources in the activities carried out by employees, savings due to the efficiency of their faucets, preventive maintenance, in addition to the installation of rainwater harvesting systems and wastewater treatment plants, and the use of treated water for watering green areas. These actions are enhanced when guests join in the care and efficient use of this resource. Thanks to these initiatives, more than 19.6 million liters of water were saved in the country this year, a volume equivalent to supplying a community of more than 190 thousand people.
Representing the federal Ministry of Tourism, Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, the Director General of Tourism Certification, Mauricio Garcia Herrera, said, “We applaud and support this type of initiative that seeks to promote good practices in hotel infrastructure, capacity development and the implementation of highly beneficial technologies for the care, saving and responsible use of water from the private sector. Congratulations to everyone for this initiative that, without a doubt, leads the tourism sector to boost national well-being.”
In her turn, Ivette Pérez, director of the National Association of Hotel Chains, spoke about the work they have done in recent years with Helvex, participating in maintenance and sustainability issues. She acknowledged that so far there is no distinction in the country for the hotel industry that is similar to the one offered by Helvex in terms of care and efficient use of water.
For his part, Jorge Barbará, President and CEO of Grupo Helvex, highlighted: “This program is an example of the industry’s commitment to address Mexico’s water challenge. At the Helvex Foundation, we promote actions to ensure that hotels not only continue to serve their guests, but do so with environmental responsibility. Through the Distinction, we promote a change towards more conscious water management, which is crucial to mitigate the effects of this crisis.”
Since its inception in 2011, the Hotel Hidro Sustentable Distinction has had the participation of 600 properties in 31 states of the republic and, to date, it has been delivered to 270 hotels, achieving savings of almost 60 million liters of water, which in turn translate into more than 30 million pesos, demonstrating that the adoption of good practices in the tourism industry can make a difference in the efficient use of water and contribute to the well-being of communities.
This year, the award-winning hotel chains were:
73 hotels in the Gold category [properties with compliance greater than 90%]: One Hotels with 21 properties, Fiesta Inn Hotels with 25 properties, Gamma Hotels with one property, Fiesta Americana and Gran Fiesta Americana Hotels with 12 and seven properties, respectively, Live Aqua Hotels with four properties, Explorean with two properties, Barceló with one property.
90 hotels in the Silver category [properties with compliance between 80 and 89.99%]: One Hotels with 26 properties, Fiesta Inn Hotels with 45 properties, Gamma Hotels with two properties, Fiesta Americana and Grand Fiesta Americana Hotels with five and two properties, respectively, Live Aqua Hotels with one property, Barceló Hotel Group with two properties, Hotsson with four properties, Presidente with two properties, and NH Hotel Group with one property.
7 hotels in the Bronze category [properties with compliance between 70 and 79.99%]: Fiesta Inn Hotels with one property, Fiesta Americana Hotels with one property, Barceló Hotel Group with one property, Hotsson with three properties, and NH Hotel Group with one property.
1 special recognition: Hotel Flecha Amarilla León.
Source: Helvex AC Foundation