La Gomera hotel, Canary Islands
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The Hotel Gran Rey company operates a sustainability policy grounded on three essential pillars: economic viability, commitment to the local community and commitment to the environment.
Quality and Environment: As a company we are committed to protecting the environment and do all we can to guarantee the appropriate use of natural resources for the benefit of the town, the island and the archipelago. All these endeavours have been acknowledged in the form of the most stringent environmental and quality certifications and various awards received.
In July 2002 the Hotel was awarded the “Biosphere Hotel-Responsible Tourism” logo by the Institute for Responsible Tourism in recognition of its compliance with the requirements set out in the Responsible Tourism System. It has been a member of the World Network of Biosphere Hotels since that date also.
With a view to continued improvement, and drawing on the experience and maturity gained from our compliance with the Responsible Tourism System requirements, the hotel introduced an Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the UNE-EN ISO 14001 standard. In September 2003 the system was certified against ISO 14001 and, at the same time, the Hotel was awarded the Öko-Proof-Betrieb certificate by TÜV International Group TÜV Rheinland, S.L. The System has subsequently been adapted to meet the requirements of UNE-EN ISO 14001: 2004 and EU Regulation 1221/2009, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Since 2009 the Hotel has implemented the requirements of Standard UNE-EN ISO 9001:2008 in all its processes in order to achieve a unified environmental and quality management system, certified according to the Standard. Accordingly, it has revised all its documentation, adapting it to said requirements, and has put in place a single management system (MS). The hotel is currently in the process of signing up to the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in the Garajonay National Park.
The different steps taken by the Hotel to reduce water consumption - for example:
- flush regulators in all toilets;
- replacement of mixer taps in general and staff washrooms by sensor or timer taps;
- information to clients and employees on the need to use water responsibly
- fitting of flow regulators to guest room taps in 2009
Energy-saving measures such as the following have been adopted:
- Replacement of all conventional light bulbs with low energy bulbs.
- Significant investment in 2006 to ensure the air conditioning equipment is kept in perfect condition to ensure optimum consumption, which is extremely important given that it is one of the major users of electricity in the hotel.
- Installation of solar panels.
- Important recommendations acted on were the replacement of refrigerator doors (energy was being wasted because they were not airtight), the installation of an energy-saving device in the electricity mains box and the installation of movement sensors in staff areas to avoid lights remaining on all the time.
The Hotel has taken a series of steps to minimise the environmental impact of such waste, including use of recycled paper, the re-use of waste paper for internal communications, and sorting at source.
Glass waste is generated by consumption of drinks and other bottled products for which no bulk replacement has been found or which continue to be used due to health regulations or to the demands of certain clients.
The Hotel has introduced a series of measures aimed at minimising the environmental impact of such waste, among them the use of returnable bottles and sorting of bottles at source to be placed in municipal bottle bins for correct handling. The amount of glass waste produced varies from year to year depending on whether we manage to buy our water in returnable bottles.
Used vegetable oil is generated by the use of deep-fat fryers in the kitchen.
Since September 2003, this type of waste has been separated at source and delivered to an authorised handler for disposal. Since the beginning of 2008, disposal of the used oil has been arranged through the local council.
Printer toner is used in the offices and reception.
As with used vegetable oil, since 2003 toner and printer cartridges have been collected separately for disposal by an authorised handle
The hazardous waste produced in the Hotel consists mainly of fluorescent lights, low-energy bulbs, hazardous product containers, batteries, and cloths contaminated with oils and solvents.
All hazardous waste of this type is sorted and disposed of by handlers authorised by the Department of the Environment and Regional Planning, thus guaranteeing correct management
Community
Social Responsibility: Our company fully appreciates its role in the community, supporting its needs and ensuring employment at local level. From the outset the Hotel has been a socially responsible enterprise, carrying out actions in support of the local community and environment, as well as various non-governmental organisations who work for the integration of underprivileged sectors of society.
In the town this support is materialised through the promotion of direct employment, without discrimination of any form, and direct and indirect financial contributions for local cultural activities (organising committees of local festivities, cultural institutions, charity bodies, etc).
Beyond the town it takes the form of regular financial contributions to non-governmental organisations:
Vicente Ferrer Foundation
Doctors Without Borders
Intermón Oxfam
Aldeas Infantiles Children’s Villages
The Hotel provides information on cultural and traditional activities (walks and boat trips led by professionals, showing of films on island life and customs, videos on marine life, etc). An extensive range of materials on local scenery, animal and plant life, culture, music, local crafts and gastronomy, is available in the Hotel Reception.
Integration of tourists in local uses and customs. Canarian cuisine - a form of local culture - is a permanent feature of the meals served in the hotel. Information is given to guests on local cultural activities and popular fiestas and dances. A Canarian Dinner organised every week includes an exhibition of old local photographs, sampling of typical products and a performance by a folk group from the area.
The Hotel Gran Rey’s commitment to society is not new. From the beginning, the Hotel has set out to be a socially responsible company committed to actions in support of the local community and the wider area and to assisting NGOs dedicated to the integration of less-favoured groups.
In the town itself, this commitment is reflected in employment provided directly by the hotel, without discrimination in terms of gender or nationality, as well as through direct and indirect cooperation with cultural activities (festivities committees, sports clubs, cultural institutions, etc).
Beyond the town, contributions are made to a number of non-governmental organisations.
Main charitable actions:
Vicente Ferrer Foundation (sponsorship of children)
Aldeas Infantiles (sponsorship of children’s village)
Intermón Oxfam (Transforma Fund)
Doctors Without Borders
APANATE (Association of Parents of Autistic Children, Tenerife)
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Haemophilia Association (AHETE)
ASORTE (Deaf Association,Tenerife)
Carmen festivities, Valle Gran Rey
Chipude festivities
San Pedro festivities, Valle Gran Rey
Tiburón Sports Club, Valle Gran Rey
Proanimal Gomera (animal welfare association)
Garajonay National Park
Tenerife Chamber of Commerce
La Mérica residents association, Valle Gran Rey
“Rosas del Guanche” mentally handicapped association
1of3
