Hotel del Parque, Ecuador: Sustainability Born from a Charitable Past
Hotel del Parque is a sustainability pioneer in Guayaquil, Ecuador. For a second year, the five-star hotel has worked hard to be awarded Green Globe Certification and recognized locally and internationally as a leading sustainable travel establishment.
Hotel del Parque’s sustainability was born from its charitable beginnings in 1891. The hotel originally provided shelter for the homeless, the elderly, and the disabled. Almost one hundred years later, and threatened with demolition, the property was acquired by the Central Bank of Ecuador in the 1980s and moved, piece by piece, to its current location in the Guayaquil Historical Park. There, it was meticulously restored along with three other heritage buildings. From that point the Hotel del Parque staff undertook the renovation of the façade, transforming it, with great care from an old construction to today’s luxurious property.
Hotel del Parque is regarded as a forerunner in sustainability, inspiring other hotels in its chain. The onsite certification audit, conducted independently by Green Globe accredited auditor Paola Alexandra Mora Costa, found the hotel’s Green Team well organized with a disciplined approach and representation across all hotel departments.
The Maintenance department focuses on managing resources, measurements and follows up green initiatives. Human Resources takes care of their people with workshops and internal communication required to action the hotel’s sustainability plan. Customer Service and Housekeeping focus on the quality of the guest stay, which results in building a favourable reputation across social media. And Marketing makes regular updates to room guides and the hotel website, communicating the hotel’s sustainability commitment.
The hotel’s location also contributes strongly to its sustainability credentials, with the heritage building a cultural corner stone to the rich natural biodiversity of the Guayaquil Historic Park. Having local, organic food sourced from the hotel’s gardens and local markets was also seen as a significant contributor to sustainability as well as greatly enhancing the hotel’s guest experience. The hotel’s Food & Beverage team use their knowledge of gastronomy and local ingredients to present recipes that are fresh, delicious and different every day.
For more information
Green Globe Accredited Auditor
Ma. Paola Alexandra Mora Costa
Sustainable Hospitality Management, Spa and Wellness Specialist
Mobile: (593) 984481839
paoale3000@gmail.com
Hotel del Parque
Samborondón Parque Histórico Guayaquil
Guayaquil, Ecuador, 092301
Email - hoteldelparque@hotelesoroverde.com
Phone - (593 4) 3725260
Bradley Cox
Director Communications
Green Globe Certification
1223 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 925
Santa Monica, CA 90403 / U.S.A.
Phone: +1-310-337-3000 ext. 105
Skype Direct +1 760 536 6581
Mobile +61 400 848 746
bcox@greenglobe.com
www.greenglobe.com
About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com
