Iniciativas Eco-responsables y RSE

🌏 Copenhague lanzó el proyecto piloto "CopenPay" hasta el 11 de agosto, premiando con entradas gratuitas a museos, atracciones y tours a turistas por acciones sostenibles como usar transporte público o bicicletas. Wonderful Copenhagen busca fomentar un turismo sostenible que reduzca la carga medioambiental. La capital danesa, con 750,000 bicicletas y donde más del 70% de la electricidad proviene de energías renovables, se clasifica como el tercer destino más sostenible del mundo. Tras evaluar los resultados, podrían reintroducir CopenPay durante todo el año y expandirlo.

📌 TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel discussed "tourism-phobia" in Spain with Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu and State Secretary Rosario Sánchez, advocating for "social sustainability." Protests against mass tourism have occurred in Baleares, Andalucía, Canarias, and Barcelona in recent weeks. Ebel emphasized tourism should be sustainable and welcomed by locals. He mentioned TUI plans to bring over six million tourists to Spain this summer, and debated the European Union's Travel Package Directive, seeking Spain's support to avoid "additional burdens" on the industry.

💼 HBX Group, encompassing Hotelbeds, Bedsonline, Roiback, and TravelStack, employs over 3,700 people globally, with employees from 58 nationalities at its Palma headquarters. Elena Pérez, head of HR and ESG, has shifted the focus to "people-centric" talent management, especially post-pandemic. Initiatives include working a month per year from anywhere, resulting in a significant employee retention rate of 94% and a motivation index rise of over 40 points. These practices contribute to a cultural shift within the company, emphasizing flexibility, humanity, and sustainable engagement.

🏕️ The Canary Islands Government is regulating tourist accommodations, including campings and other unique establishments, for the first time. The initiative, led by Tourism Councillor Jéssica de León, began with a public consultation period starting July 12, ending July 31, to address the lack of regulatory framework that causes legal uncertainty. The new legislation aims to improve quality, foster entrepreneurship, create stable and quality jobs, enhance sector competitiveness, and protect natural environments. The consultation is part of a broader tourism regulatory reform in the Canary Islands, striving for renewal, especially in camping activities that impact coastal areas and environmentally unique territories.

🏡 Hotel Meliá Isla Canela, renovado con una inversión de 6 millones de euros, ofrece 358 habitaciones y se prepara para un destacado verano turístico en Andalucía. Inaugurado en el año 2000 y previamente reformado en 2013, el establecimiento promueve el turismo responsable. Las instalaciones incluyen un “hub” de ocio para niños, un “babyclub” y un centro de bienestar con piscina interior y gimnasio 24 horas. Las mejoras se centran en la sostenibilidad y descarbonización del hotel.

🏡 Emin Capital and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts set to open Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor in August, post-renovation of Hotel Formentor bought in 2020. The luxury hotel will boost employment, tripling the staff to 460. With 110 sea-view rooms, some with private pools, the resort features a spa, pools, gym, outdoor yoga, a tennis court, and 5 dining areas. Emin Capital purchased the hotel from Grupo Barceló for €165 million; sustainability efforts predict a 42% energy savings and LEED Gold certification. The property spans 1,250 hectares with eco-friendly vineyards and a 3-hectare organic garden.

📢 The Asociación de Ejecutivas de Empresas Turísticas de España (ASEET) was founded in 2019 to increase women's visibility in the tourism sector, where they represent 60% of the workforce. President Teresa García (IATA executive) oversees the association, which also focuses on solidarity. ASEET's annual charity gala, in its fourth edition, surpassed previous attendance and donations, supporting three social organizations: Aulas Abiertas, Adopta un abuelo, and Fundación BOBATH. The latest event, “Una noche para recordar, un futuro para construir,” attracted 250 guests and 50 companies, raising funds through auctions and raffles of donated tourism products and gifts.

🚩 The 2024 Banderas Negras report by Ecologistas en Acción highlights turistification and urbanization in Spanish coasts, especially the Canary Islands. A total of 48 black flags were awarded for environmental issues across several categories: 16 for sewage and purification deficiencies, 15 for coastal urbanization, 6 for chemical, light, and noise pollution, 4 for biodiversity impact, 3 for marine litter, 3 for unjustified port dredging and expansions, and 1 for damages to historical and cultural heritage. The initiative aims to raise awareness and calls for improvement since 2005, inspecting over 8,000 kilometers of Spain's coastline.

💸 Ashotel proposed doubling the salary increase from 4.5% to 9% for 2024 and 2025 to ensure labor and social peace in the hospitality sector. Discussions with union representatives, especially UGT and CCOO, have been ongoing. The offer, made public by Ashotel's executive board, could inject an extra €100 million into the salaries of 31,850 employees in Santa Cruz de Tenerife's lodging establishments, according to Q1 2024 data from the Canary Institute of Statistics. Ashotel President Jorge Marichal highlighted the focus on social sustainability.

🏖️ On July 3, 2024, Alin Grigoras discusses the significance of sustainable tourism, emphasizing its necessity for environmental impact reduction, improvement of accommodations' reputation, and appeal to eco-conscious travelers. Integrating sustainable practices aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as tourism is a major, fast-growing industry influencing local communities and ecosystems. Recommended sustainable actions for lodging providers include energy efficiency, water management, waste reduction, local economy support, and authentic experiences. Certification obtainment, such as Green Key or EarthCheck, technology integration like Energy Management Systems (EMS), and guest involvement through apps and local initiatives are essential steps toward sustainability. Transparent communication and marketing of sustainability efforts through social media, success stories, and detailed reports can enhance reputation and guest engagement.