Granada hotel in Nicaragua
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
During the construction phase, surplus wood from the building works was used to make the hotel’s furniture. Whenever possible, goods are purchased locally, to reduce CO2 emissions and to help stimulate the local economy. Guests are encouraged to use the air-conditioning economically and reduce laundry use with fewer requests for fresh towels.
Currently the possibilities of more sustainable energy options are being considered. One of those is generating energy for the hotel operation by using heat exchangers and solar panels. Furthermore guests are encouraged not to use more electricity than they actually need.
Hotel con Corazón does its absolute best to make use of locally produced products. We are trying to keep our carbon footprint as minimal as possible by not using expensive import products flown in from elsewhere. Almost everything in the hotel has a story, not just the food cooked in our restaurant. The blankets on the beds were made at a local workshop for a fair price. The tables were made from wood that was left over after the building renovations. And there are many more stories, if you want to know more….just ask. We’ll be glad to tell you more.
The latest Lonely Planet Nicaragua guidebook (published in August 2009) includes a very positive review of the hotel, given special commendation as one of the guide’s “Our Pick” hotels, and with a notable mention in the new “Greendex” section at the back of the guide featuring sustainable initiatives.
Community
All profits are invested in local educational projects. At primary school level we focus on reading and simple math, to provide the groundwork for any further learning. Because parental support is crucial for success, families are frequently visited to discuss progress and to support the building of links with the community. We finance two types of school programs:
- Via Empowerment International and La Esperanza Granada two NGO’s with years of experience in the area;
- The Corazón tutoring program in Las Lagunas, neighbourhood in the outskirts of Granada.
We stimulate local economic development by running a profitable business—a healthy enterprise that creates jobs, income and professional development opportunities for its employees.
Soon after its opening in 2008, the hotel is providing a healthy stream of revenue: the business is profitable, provides good working conditions and is run with respect for local culture and the environment
• 100% of the profits are invested in local education projects
• In time the operations will be handed over to local Nicaraguan management.
Hotel con Corazón creates employment through employing a Nicaraguan hotel staff, as well as purchasing local products and working with local suppliers. Jobs are important to stimulate economic growth and realize lasting development.
Providing work is not the only stimulus the hotel offers employees. The hotel encourages its employees to go (back) to school. Even suppliers are encouraged to develop new initiatives to help improve the future of Nicaragua. Hotel con Corazón shares it knowledge and skills by supporting young entrepreneurs with their own start up businesses.
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