Das Naturhotel Chesa Valisa

Boosting Sustainable Tourism Through Certification

EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICE COLLECTION 2021

NOMINATION FORM

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

NOMINATING CERTIFICATE

Das Naturhotel Chesa Valisa

Contact Person:

Magdalena Kessler, magdalena.kessler@naturhotel.at

NOMINATED BUSINESS

Das Naturhotel Chesa Valisa

Internet contact

h:ps://www.naturhotel.at/

Size of business (if known)

Medium (from 50 to 249)

Category

Serviced accommodation

Country

Austria

Destination, with related protected area(s)

Name of the destination: Hirschegg/Kleinwalsertal

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

Magdalena Kessler, magdalena.kessler@naturhotel.at

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS

according to following SDGs on Tourism4SDGs.org:

SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production The tourism sector needs to adopt sustainable consumption and production (SCP) modes, accelerating the shiR 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 2007

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

•   Inspected by Austria Bio Garantie

•   all food comes 100% from controlled organic farming

•   As far as available, the products are purchased from the pleasure-region Kleinwalsertal, Vorarlberg and Allgäu - this results in a close connection with the local agriculture.

•   The basic building of the 4-star hotel was already built in 1507, which means that the history of the house goes back over 500 years. A historical background that flows into the philosophy of the hotel. In the nature hotel we keep old traditions and mix them with modern inspirations. The family has lived here for 14 generations. It has created from an old Walsergasthaus and an adjacent stable building with a lot of commitment and courage an almost year-round business.

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:

•   Climate-neutral hotel

•   Hotel with charging station for e-cars

•   Organically built building

•   Environmentally friendly and self-sufficient energy concept

•   The use of natural building materials such as wood and clay - e.g. rammed earth walls in the entrance area and in the wine cellar - create a healthy indoor climate throughout the hotel. They regulate humidity and symbolize the element "earth". Also the elements "water" by an existing small brook as a waterfall visibly led into the inner courtyard and "fire" by an open fireplace built of rammed clay enrich the room experience.

•   Our Vorarlberg timber construction is a successful combination of tradition and modernity.

•   Rammed earth walls in the entrance area and in the wine cellar provide a pleasant indoor climate, regulate humidity and symbolize the element "earth". Also the elements "water" by an existing small stream as a waterfall visibly led into the courtyard and "fire" by an open fireplace built of rammed clay enrich the spatial experience.

•   The natural horizontal spruce wood cladding brings the building back into the architectural language of the alpine region. This material also dominates the interiors in combination with clay plastered walls.

•   In 2016, the first and second upper floors were newly built in timber construction. Here too, as in the 2002 extension, natural materials (wood, felt, wool) were used for the interior design.

Measurable achievements:

•   2,6 kg Co2-equivalents/night

•   107 tons Co2-equivalents/year

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 oRen 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 be:er diversification through tourism value chains can enhance tourism positive socio-economic impacts.

Exemplary or innovative actions:

•   3 climate-neutral employee houses in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.

•   3 meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are freshly cooked for you. It is important to us that our employees eat as well as our guests, so you can choose from our large salad buffet and enjoy the best organic quality in food as well as drinks. Even on your days off.

•   5 pillars: The intact nature around the house, healthy living, conscious nutrition, programs for fitness, health and wellness and we are regularly involved in social projects. These basic ideas make every day at Chesa Valisa an experience for guests as well as employees.

•   Diversity is close to our hearts.

•   This is what we offer our employees:

•   A young and successful team

•   An employment in the only BIO HOTEL in the Kleinwalsertal valley

•   Free catering

•   Fully equipped accommodation

•   Further training / courses

•   Mostly provided work clothes

•   Reduced treatments in the AlpinSPA

•   Payment according to collective agreement, willingness to overpay according to professional qualification & experience

•   Washing machine / dryer

•   Daily sports & activity program for your work-live balance

•   Use of wellness facilities (by arrangement)

•   summer mountain railway ticket free of charge - you can use every liR free of charge

•   free sports courses from h:ps://www.sarile.com/

•   discounted stays for family members according to availability

•   50% discount on stays in other BIO HOTELS and the Allgäu Top Hotels

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:

•   Wir konnten durch Überzeugungsarbeit 2/3 unserer bäuerlichen Lieferanten aus dem Kleinwalsertal dazu bewegen, auf Bio umzustellen.

Measurable achievements:

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

https://www.biohotels.info/chesavalisa

https://www.biohotels.info/en/categories/das-naturhotel-chesa-valisa

https://www.naturhotel.at/das-naturhotel/