Tailor made holidays to Guatemala

We operate a carbon neutral office and offers guests the option of making their tour carbon neutral for an additional cost of $1 per person per day which includes covering internal flights. We have started a recycling program and encourages all suppliers and visitors to take part in the recycling program. We recycle paper, plastic, glass & aluminium. We are a partner with Rainforest Alliance and are the #1 Sustainable Tourism provider in Guatemala (2007) with the highest level of certification. For every visitor on this itinerary a donation is made to the foundation which then donates money to various grass roots organizations working in poverty alleviation, conservation & cultural protection. The foundation is our company foundation and we donate a set amount of money per person per day of their tour into the fund and also collect funds from other company clients and suppliers. We then distribute the money to a selection of grass roots charities that we have selected in the areas of education, poverty relief, micro credit and conservation.

All of the tours in this itinerary involve local people from the surrounding communities in each area visited. We use local guides in different areas of the country so that people from all areas can benefit from tourism not just guides from the capital or main towns. Where possible we include visits to local community tourism programs and craft cooperatives so that guests can impact in a positive way on the lives of the local communities. Entrance fees to Mayan sites and National Parks contribute towards their conservation & development. Everywhere you travel on this trip a large amount of the costs involved in the trip will remain in that area with the local people. All profits from this trip stay within Guatemala, Belize or Honduras. The local operator offering this trip is a top sustainable tourism certified operator with commitment to sustainable / responsible travel who works with all their suppliers to encourage & train them in responsible tourism best practice at all times on a tour. Travelers on this trip will be advised by literature in the welcome pack and also by their guides on how to reduce their impact on the environment and encouraged to use local services and buy local products from small local providers and cooperatives. We will collect all water bottles and other materials from tours to go into the recycling program. We welcome feedback from travelers on how we can continually improve our sustainable policies and actions.

This tour uses hotels with a proven track record of sustainability and responsible and ethical operations. For example:

Nitun
All staff are local and are given training by the lodge owners and are encouraged to participate in sustainable tourism practices. Lodge is Guatemalan owned and all gross profits remain in the country. Owners policy is to buy local produce from small local producers and provide local dishes to guests. Water use is monitored and there is a plan to minimize pollution and waste including – re-use of grey water, tap aerators, towel & sheet reuse, rainwater collection and an on site water treatment system via septic tanks. Energy use is monitored & there is a plan to minimize use. Owners employ solar heat to dry laundry, only use natural lighting during the day, have more than 50% energy star electric equipment and use fans instead of air conditioning. The lodge recycles paper, batteries, soap, shampoo, glass, plastic, aluminium and compost their organic waste. Bulk dispensers are used for soap and shampoo & these are biodegradable. Lodge has all local endemic species in its grounds and supports environmental conservation initiatives in the local community. They are members of local conservation groups and are hugely active in this area. The lodge owns and manages a substantial area of protected rainforest in the area which they have registered as a private reserve. Supported local community both in time and financial assistance to protect and keep their land.

Panza Verde
The hotel hires over 90% staff locally offering skills training and also training on recycling and offer work placements to students. They are a member of Fundesa, an organization focusing on the training & development of the local workforce. Over 50% of its gross revenues remain in the country. They have a specific policy of buying local products both for the restaurant and other areas of the hotel focusing on small local providers. All soaps are hand made, natural & biodegradable. The hotel focuses on water and energy usage minimization and they have begun a recycling campaign for soap, shampoo, glass, plastic and aluminum with other materials to follow shortly. The hotel helps to promote local contemporary artists through exhibitions in their Art Gallery and help support any projects regarding the arts which different organizations such as the Alianza Francesa, El Sitio Cultural coordinate. Staff at the hotel promote visits to local community tours and small locally operated businesses and shops. The hotel supports local infrastructure programs and regularly meets with the local community to ensure nothing they are doing is adversely affecting the local community. They donate to local charities – In 2008, so far they have helped support the International Hospital for Children, the Life School in Panajachel and are jointly organising an Art Auction with Las Manos de Christine in October which will both promote local artists while raising funding for their English for Everyone project in Guatemala City.

Bambu Lodge
Working with Rainforest Alliance & Alianza Verde on Sustainable Best Practices. Don’t use chemicals in their gardens & protect national species within the garden. Have a policy of saving water including reducing loses and monitoring how they water the gardens and deal with the swimming pool water. All staff are from the local indigenous T’zutujil Maya community. All vegetables and basic supplies are bought from the local community.

Camino Real (Westin)
Over 90% of staff are Guatemalan and 75% live within 20km of the hotel. The hotel regularly trains staff and involves them in their sustainability policies. The hotel is locally owned and over 50% of gross profits stay in the country. The hotel provides examples of local cuisine on their menu and sources produce from local producers. They monitor water / energy use and have a policy to reduce water / energy consumption including low flow toilets and towel / sheet re-use, low energy light bulbs, produce 50-75% energy through alternative / renewable means. They are members of conservation groups and support initiatives in the local community to improve infrastructure.