Awen Tree House

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

Biosphere Certification

Contact Person:

Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada    padiaz@biospheretourism.com

Yolanda Bazán    ybazan@biospheretourism.com

NOMINATED BUSINESS

Awen Tree House c/o Casale La Bandita

Internet contact

https://www.awentreehouse.com/

Size of business (if known)

Small

Category

Serviced accommodation

Country

Italy

Destination, with related protected area(s)

- Castiglione historic centre: Palazzo Duca della Corgna, Rocca del Leone.

- San Feliciano: Fishing Museum and Ecomuseum

Contact Person at the nominated business

Fiammetta Cotti; fiammettacotti@gmail.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:

- The organisation has the Italian tourist licence of Casa Vacanza, so its customers bring their own bathroom products from home.

- The entity has containers for all types of selective waste collection: wet, plastic, paper, glass, dry waste.

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.

- The Tree House, built in FSC wood and according to green building techniques, has thermo-acoustic insulation in hemp fiber. This natural material is refractory to mold and insects ensuring healthier environments; it is fire resistant; it is light, totally recyclable and biodegradable but it is above all a "carbon negative" material that synthesizes carbon by reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and reducing polluting emissions. Thanks to the use of hemp in green building, 90% of the water used for concrete is saved and it is also useful as an anti-seismic material.

- The entity uses led lights with motion sensors and solar panel.

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.

The organisation has a basic system for recycling waste water by means of a biological treatment plant with sand and stone filters that provides an aquatic environment suitable for life and biodiversity, as long as the origin of the discharges is respectful of the environment. 

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.

- The Tree House is set in a grove of holm oaks. From the property you can see the town in the distance and a part of Lake Trasimeno.

- The main lights work with motion sensors.

- The entity informs its customers about the fauna and wild birds of the territory with printed material inside the room and with publications of photos and videos on social networks.

- They actively collaborate with the WWF Guards to combat fish and hunting poaching. 

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.

-The entity hires local companies when necessary.

- They also provide customers with all information through the website.

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.

-The entity collaborates with the local WWF

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