Hotel Association with Sustainability at its core

In keeping with its Statute, the Association establishes the firm purpose of having its associated hotels act as protagonists in their regions - encouraging, supporting, promoting actions that go beyond the simple offer of quality lodgings. Each Member of the Roteiros is committed to the mission: "To provide hospitality experiences in surroundings of great comfort, charm, warmth/cosiness and responsibility towards the establishment of a Sustainability Culture in their tourism destinations. Throughout its 25 years of existence, the Association has developed, and constantly improves, a Work Method that focuses on the gradual, continuous and persistent implementation of Sustainability Practices. The Roteiros de Charme’s Code of ethics and environmental conduct represents a pioneering private sector initiative worldwide. It was developed in 1998 by the Association in partnership and with the support of the United Nations Environment Program (now UNE). The Association’s Work Method emphasizes the adoption of Sustainability Practices related to all management issues of small and medium-sized hotels, which can be implemented to reduce negative impacts and maximize benefits to tourism destinations. The many sustainability practices we deal with are classified in 4 fundamental themes: Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Solid Waste Management, Effluent Management. And, according to the 4 publics with whom our hotels deal directly: staff, guests, suppliers and service providers, and, local communities. This classification scheme is called the 4 Themes 4 Publics. A permanent program to evaluate and monitor sustainability practices is carried out in all associated hotels with a view to encouraging the adoption of additional practices and the exchange of relevant information between members. The materialization of Roteiros de Charme Hôtellerie vision, in which Quality and Sustainability are inseparable, is supported by a strategy of establishing and building upon innovative partnerships with private sector companies and international organizations that greatly amplify the institutional and economic capacity of the Association. The Association’s partnership with UNEP - United Nations Environment Program has for more than 15 years provided an open channel of technical support and cooperation that favours the dissemination of sustainable tourism principles. Equally important are the partnerships established with private sector companies that share the vision advocated by Roteiros de Charme. The permanent program of independent appraisal and monitoring of sustainability practices in all associated hotels is made viable thanks to the support provided by the Association’s private sector partners. Associated Hotels incorporate most of the practices included in the Roteiros de Charme’s Code of Conduct. See, for example: (http://www.viladeste.eco.br/sobre/responsabilidade_social/en; Sustainability practices are communicated through permanent involvement of our hotels with their target audiences (staff, suppliers and service providers, guests and surrounding communities). Modalities for the involvement of guests encompass communication of relevant information and pedagogic activities such as guided walks and treks, the planting of seedlings, visits to social projects. All hotels undertake initiatives designed to engage with the communities in their surroundings. As a norm, the contracting of local labour is favoured, which due to the shortage of qualified locals in a lot of tourism destinations results in our hotels providing needed training locally. Participation in community initiatives and projects is done, both, through direct subsidies (donations, affiliations, monthly contributions) and thorough a variety of indirect support methods (lending staff for community work, donation of used electronic equipment, provision of accommodation and of social areas in hotels, food and other means). Partnerships with the public sector involve projects under their responsibility, with the backing of local economic and social actors. For examples see: http://www.hotelrosadosventos.com.br/agricultural_school.php http://www.anavilhanaslodge.com/wordpress/en/the-lodge/sustainability/; Preservation of existing vegetation and support for protective actions in their neighbourhoods is practiced by various associated hotels. For examples see: http://araraslodge.com.br/en/categories#category-89687 The Association is certain that the continued and persistent implementation of the adopted methodology by its member hotels directly favours the potential take-up of its initiative by other organizations active in tourism destinations. All associated hotels web pages can be accessed via the Association web site (https://www.roteirosdecharme.com.br/home_en.php) . Most associated hotels disclose information in their sites about its sustainability policies and practices.