WILLEMSTAD – The Avila Beach Hotel is proud to announce that it has once again received the international certification Travelife Gold for sustainability in the tourism industry. Travelife is an international label that promotes sustainability in the tourism sector. A Travelife Gold certification means that the accommodations contribute in improving the impact on the environment and implement such a social policy. In 2013, the Avila Beach Hotel received the Travelife Gold Award for the first time, recently this certification has been extended. The hotel had to meet a standards checklist with a total of 163 requirements which the hotel had to comply with. The Avila Beach Hotel is therefore extremely proud on this beautiful award.
Increasingly stricter requirements
The sustainability requirements of Travelife are constantly increasing. Every two years there is a new audit where points for improvement are added that must be carried out within six months, to obtain the Gold label. The oldest operating hotel in Curaçao has received this sustainability certification because they have a good social policy (for example by hiring mainly local staff and purchasing as many local products as possible), taking good care of the environment and community (for example, by donating furniture and other articles to charities, and every employee of the hotel donates a small amount of their salary to the nearby Oranjeschool which is doubled by the management). In addition, the Avila Beach Hotel is also focusing on the environment of Curaçao. For instance, organizing Clean Ups, reducing energy consumption by placing LED lighting, reducing water use, reducing plastic, recycling aluminum cans and plastic (PET 1) and separate food waste is collected in the kitchen for pigs on a local farm.
Sustainability is the trend
More and more European companies and individuals are focusing on sustainability when selecting a hotel or accommodation. Several tour operators, such as TUI Netherlands, pay attention to destinations with a sustainability certification. Guests who visit the Avila Beach Hotel can also help to create a better Curaçao by participating in the Pack for a Purpose project, whereby they can bring along school supplies for the nearby Oranjeschool. Due to this success the Schotborghschool has been added to this project as well since last April.
Future plans: Culture on your plate
By focusing on even more regional gastronomy in the restaurants and creating healthier menus, the Avila Beach Hotel encourages local farmers who cultivate sustainable fruit and vegetables. Regional food (From Farm to Fork) and circularity within the food chain is gaining popularity worldwide among international tourists and local guests. After all, consumers increasingly want to know where their food comes from, preferably locally. Low Food Miles also contribute furthermore to less food waste and a better environment.
For more information about sustainability at the Avila Beach Hotel, please visit:
http://www.avilabeachhotel.com/about-avila/green-travel
