Bio- & Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka

Boosting Sustainable Tourism Through Certification

EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICE COLLECTION 2021

NOMINATION FORM

Please send until 6^th August 2021 to (herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de / cc diego.nunez@ecotrans.de)

NOMINATING CERTIFICATE

Bio- & Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka

Contact Person:

Sven-Erik Hitzer, s.hitzer@gmx.de

Moritz Hitzer, m.hitzer@festung.com

NOMINATED BUSINESS

Bio- & Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka

Internet contact

www.schmilka.de

Size of business (if known)

Medium (from 50 to 249)

Category

Serviced accommodation

Country

Germany

Destination, with related protected area(s)

Name of the destination: Bad Schandau OT Schmilka/Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz/Sachsen

Name of protected area(s) and/or major cultural heritage site(s) (if not the same name as the destination): =

Contact Person at the nominated business

Sven-Erik Hitzer, s.hitzer@gmx.de

Moritz Hitzer, m.hitzer@festung.com

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS

according to following SDGs on Tourism4SDGs.org:

Please indicate very briefly their exemplary or innovative actions and measurable achievements (including quantified results if known)

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

The tourism sector needs to adopt sustainable consumption and production (SCP) modes, accelerating the shift towards sustainability. Tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for tourism including for energy, water, waste, biodiversity and job creation will result in enhanced economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

•    Certified BIO HOTELS member since 2008

•    exclusive use of organic products (up to 3 exceptions per hotel possible; these are clearly visible to the guest)

•    min. 75% of the wines and spirits must come from organic cultivation

•    certified organic and natural cosmetics throughout

•    comprehensive resource management through mandatory CO2 certification

•    exclusive use of recycled paper or primary fiber paper from sustainable forest management

•    100% green electricity

•    Standards: https://www.biohotels.info/media/64783/bio-hotles-standards-2021-en-2142329.pdf

•    Inspected by ABCERT

•    Water revitalization according to Johann Grander (at the Bio-Hotel Helvetia)

•    active offers in the National Park, whose aim is to show people how to use nature in a sustainable way

•    own production of beer and bread

Measurable achievements:

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Tourism contributes to and is affected by climate change. Tourism stakeholders should play a leading role in the global response to climate change. By reducing its carbon footprint, in the transport and accommodation sector, tourism can benefit from low carbon growth and help tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

•    Organically built building (all new construction and renovation measures are carried out under building biology aspects; regional materials and craftsmen were used).

•    Most of the houses are ecologically renovated, the guest rooms are furnished according to the highest building biology standards: with soaped wooden floors, natural colors and textiles, natural latex mattresses and electrosmog-free room climate.

•    Environmentally friendly and self-sufficient energy concept (Use of green electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar energy or waste heat recovery to electric cars).

•    Purchase of organic food from the region in the cycle of the seasons

•    Use of biodegradable cleaning agents

•    cultivation of our own herb, vegetable and tomato garden

•    Use of certified green electricity

•    Waste separation

•    Reduction of CO2 pollution by promoting public transport in our offers

Measurable achievements:

SDG 14 – Life below Water

Coastal and maritime tourism rely on healthy marine ecosystems. Tourism development must be a part of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in order to help conserve and preserve fragile marine ecosystems and serve as a vehicle to promote a blue economy, contributing to the sustainable use of marine resources.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

SDG 15 – Life on Land

Rich biodiversity and natural heritage are often the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. Tourism can play a major role if sustainably managed in fragile zones, not only in conserving and preserving biodiversity, but also in generating revenue as an alternative livelihood to local communities.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

SDG 8 - Decent work and Economic Growth

Tourism, as services trade, is one of the top four export earners globally, currently providing one in ten jobs worldwide. Decent work opportunities in tourism, particularly for youth and women, and policies that favour better diversification through tourism value chains can enhance tourism positive socio-economic impacts.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Measurable achievements:

SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals

Due to its cross-sectoral nature, tourism has the ability to strengthen private/public partnerships and engage multiple stakeholders – international, national, regional and local – to work together to achieve the SDGs and other common goals. Public policy and innovative financing are at the core for achieving the 2030 Agenda.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

Sven-Erik Hitzer gradually acquired more and more houses in Schmilka, including the mill, which was drawn by Ludwig Richter as early as 1823 and immortalized on a copper plate. This view served Sven-Erik Hitzer to reconstruct the mill in 2007. In 2011/2012, a major reconstruction and expansion took place, so that in 2012 the mill and bakery could start their operations. Today, the mill with its dance and brewing hall, the mill yard and the organic bakery and mill are resplendent in their former glory and are extremely popular as an excursion and hiking destination. In 2017, the village even received the award as one of "Saxony's most beautiful villages".  During the restoration, much emphasis was placed on reconstructing Schmilka's houses "as they used to be". With the creation of a railroad stop, as well as the construction of a landing stage and the road extension to Postelwitz, Schmilka created the connection to Bad Schandau and thus advanced to a popular excursion and hiking destination for summer visitors.

Furthermore, the Bio- & Nationalpark Refugium Schmilka is a member of the BIO HOTELS (www.biohotels.info), partner of "Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz" (https://www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/) and bears the regional seal "Gutes von Hier" (https://www.gutes-von-hier.org/).

Measurable achievements:

Link to further information about the nominated business (if available):

https://www.biohotels.info/schmilka, https://www.biohotels.info/en/categories/bio-refugium-schmilka, https://www.schmilka.de, https://www.schmilka.de/philosophie, https://www.schmilka.de/schmilka-historie