This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Sustainable tourism is of increasing concern to the tourism industry and travelers. But this wind of change inevitably requires concrete and varied involvement of the local population.
At Fairmont Waterfront, one of the group’s four locations in the greater Vancouver area, this is an integral part of the establishment’s values. “Sustainability isn’t just about being environmentally friendly, you also need to support your community,” insists Kristyna Vogel, the hotel’s marketing and public relations director.
Much more than a roof garden
In the mid-1990s, the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel established a 2,100 square foot organic garden on the third floor roof. The objective: to raise awareness among the brigade of the importance of the farming profession, to encourage them to honor each ingredient, and, consequently, to avoid wasting. In 2008, beehives were installed there to have better harvests. Since then, 250,000 bees have lived alongside vegetable plants. “We cannot install hives on the roof if there are not enough flowers on which the bees can forage,” explains M.me Vogel.
The establishment also collaborates with Hives for Humanity (H4H), an organization whose mission is to build connections in the community through nature and beekeeping. Among these is the one with residents of the Downtown Eastside, one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country. H4H hires local residents to work in the hives. “Bees have a therapeutic effect, because they must be handled with care and taken care of regularly,” adds the marketing director. In this sense, beekeeping is a real balm in the community. This also makes it possible to sell honey and by-products such as candles to finance the organization.
Give a taste for cooking
The establishment is also involved with Britannia elementary school, located in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Vancouver. In order to raise funds for cultural exchange trips for the school’s students, they are organizing a benefit dinner, the Britannia Kid’chen Cook-off, like a culinary competition. “It’s my favorite event of the year,” admits Kristyna Vogel. Before the evening, the children come to the hotel to learn how to serve dishes and cook. It’s wonderful to see them flourish. » The hotel then provides meals to more than a hundred guests and all ticket sales go to benefit the students.
Clearly, the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel sets the example when it comes to redefining luxury. This privilege involves, among other things, composting in the kitchen, the commitment to only offer marine products from sustainable fishing, and collaboration with organizations to recover or revalue unsold food.
Our journalist was the guest of Fairmont Waterfront.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.