Together with the tourism organization Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val Müstair (TESSVM) and three committed pilot companies, ibex fairstay has expanded its certification system for monitoring and awarding accommodation providers for vacation apartments. The project, supported by the Graubünden Office of Economy and Tourism, has been successfully completed with three initial awards. Switzerland Tourism recognizes the "Swisstainable Leading" awards and thus supports the communication of responsible vacation accommodation businesses
What began as an idea a year and a half ago has now successfully culminated in the first vacation apartment agencies and resorts being recognized for their commitment to sustainability. Martina Hänzi, Managing Director of Engadin Booking and a committed tourism professional in Scuol, recognized the significance and importance of sustainability at an early stage and was met with an open ear by Tourismus Engadin Scuol Samnaun Val Mustair (TESSVM) and ibex fairstay - the specialists for sustainability in accommodation.
Solution-oriented instrument created for sustainable alignment
In order to adapt the ibex fairstay methodology to vacation apartments, the project team was expanded to include two local vacation apartment complexes - the Pradas Resort in Brigels and the Bergün vacation village of the Reka Group, which operates throughout Switzerland. Gérard Carigiet, Head of Pradas Resort, describes the work in the project group as extremely focused and solution-oriented: "Where discussions on criteria were necessary, we were able to make a very concrete contribution to practicability and measurability with input from the field." The Office for Economy and Tourism recognized the added value and assured the project, which is under the patronage of TESSVM, of its support. "With the ibex fairstay label, we now have an instrument at our disposal for the first time to recognize the participating apartments and us as an agency with our diverse efforts for sustainable vacations in vacation apartments and houses. We are thus fulfilling a need that guests are increasingly looking for," Martina Hänzi concludes with obvious pride. Claudio Daguati, Co-Director of TESSVM, is also convinced of the implementation: "We have created a credible instrument to actively support vacation homes in the area of sustainability."
Diversity of vacation apartment providers
On the one hand, there are vacation apartment complexes with several apartments on site. On the other hand, there are vacation apartment agencies that rent out decentralized properties with different owners. In this case, it is the agency that receives the award for demonstrable sustainable commitment. To avoid greenwashing, a certain number of rentable apartments must participate in the certification process. These apartments are explicitly marked in the agency's portfolio.
Awards for vacation apartments off to a good start
Sustainability has long since become part of everyday life. Guests who pay attention to the conscious use of resources in their daily lives also want to find certain standards in their vacation apartments. For example, waste separation, individually controllable heating systems and references to local specialties and traditions are a must. The ibex fairstay catalog of measures also offers a wide range of other ideas and concrete measures that can be implemented to actively contribute to the conservation of resources, regional roots and social commitment "behind the scenes". This not only contributes to identification with the company, but also significantly reduces the financial burden. "With 7.5 million overnight stays in around 30,000 Swiss vacation apartments (STV 2021 statistics), there is great potential for raising awareness here. The project group will be delighted if its commitment bears fruit with other vacation apartment providers," says Anita Gschwind, looking ahead and on behalf of the project group
First-hand information on certification: ask the certified companies at the ibex fairstay training and networking day.
"Holiday resorts as recycling sinners" doesn't have to be the case. 10vor10 shows that our project partner Reka is already a pioneer in waste separation in its Reka vacation villages. Interested? Watch the full report here.
First-hand information with our newsletter. The latest one is all about the expansion at ibex fairstay for the certification of vacation rental agencies and resorts. Click here.
