Sustainability is more than just protecting the environment: Here's what the Green Pearls® Partners have to say
When it comes to sustainable travel, we often think of the environmental impact first. Avoiding single-use plastics in hotel rooms, energy generation from renewable resources and vegetarian or vegan catering are just some of the measures taken at Green Pearls® hotels and holiday accommodations. But sustainability means far more than this for all of them.
Sustainability is social
„For us at Maslina, sustainability also means looking at our social responsibility to the local community. We have sponsored local clubs in Stari Grad, partnered with the museum to host exhibitions and continue to look at ways to ensure that we contribute to the island that we are so proud to be part of. Wider afield, we are also a partner of the Better World Fund, a charity that uses art to raise awareness and funds to promote humanitarian action.“
However, the Maslina Resort is not only committed to social projects locally. They also do their bit internationally, where they partner with the Better World Fund. The charity raises awareness and funds for humanitarian action through art.
Future for employees
„Sustainability is also about the relationship with the staff, i.e. the social environment. The human factor plays a major role. We strive for our employees to be mindful of environmental protection and therefore appreciate it very much when they work for us for a longer period of time and live the philosophy we share with them. However, this only happens when they feel comfortable and their needs are understood at all times and when you, as the manager, are able to respond to each and every one of them.“
At Bella Vista in the Swiss resort of Zermatt, the team is crucial to success. The small, family-run hotel relies on long-term cooperation with its largely local staff. "Team" quickly becomes "extended family".
Small steps to sustainability
„Sustainability is currently a buzzword. But I think it's like the wellness boom in the 90s / 00s. A lot of people are jumping on this bandwagon, but they don't even begin to comprehend what it means in its entirety. Still, every small step taken is one in the right direction.“
At LENI MOUNTAIN Apartments & Chalet in Sölden, several of these small steps have already been implemented: photovoltaic system, own water supply, community work in the region and reforestation of the construction site with local trees are just a few of them. And more will follow, the Arnold family reveals.
The Eco Aparthotel The Dreamer's Club in Croatia is also committed to more sustainability and takes its guests by the hand.
“People and animals and plants - that all is a part of the environment. Being sustainable means, that you take care of you, your loved ones and the nature that surrounds you. Keeping that in mind we will always have the real luxury, like fresh air, healthy eco system, green nature and local organic food. Saying no to plastic bags, buying a produce that is not wrapped in plastic, not buying that cow milk but plant based one, riding a bike rather than taking a car, swimming in the sea rather than swimming in the pool…it all adds up. Small things count!”
Sustainability means taking responsibility
Not only for the present, but also for the generations to come. This is exactly what is lived at Hotel Das Rübezahl: since 1959, long before sustainability was on everyone's lips, the Thurm family has been planning and acting with foresight and for the long term. Regional purchasing, energy conservation, resource-saving construction methods and responsibility for employees and the local community are not new initiatives at the Schwangau hotel.
„People looked out for each other and took responsibility. And these are still the basic pillars of sustainability and the family philosophy today.“
The Naturhotel Outside also responds similarly to the statement. The East Tyrolean hiking hotel focuses on responsibility towards future generations and the regionality of the value chains, from purchasing to employees to the fact that guests are encouraged to support the local economy with visits to mountain huts.
Sustainability is the future
„For us, sustainable means creating a future in which we want to exist as a company, as a workplace for our employees and as a hotel for our guests."
The Biohotel Sturm is comprehensively committed to this, among other things with its own large snack garden, an environmentally friendly and self-sufficient energy concept and, of course, the use of predominantly regional organic food and slow food cuisine. Local producers are supported and integrated into the sustainable development process.
The Weihrerhof in South Tyrol is also focused on development and growth. However, a different kind of growth:
„For Weihrerhof, the term growth does not refer to the expansion of capacities. The vision to grow steadily is understood rather as the creation of added value in terms of quality and offer through the conscious use of their own and global resources. The holiday experience can therefore remain accessible and authentic.”
Sustainability is more
„For us, sustainability is a self-image, an obligation and an incentive at the same time. An undisturbed, healthy environment is a basic prerequisite for all natural life as well as sensible economic activity.“
This is how the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA responds to the statement, putting into words what the Green Pearls® partners also live and breathe. More about the initiatives and philosophies of the Green Pearls, whether regarding environmental protection, economic, or social issues, can be found on the respective hotel pages at Green Pearls® or the hotel websites.