SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico—Declared the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations, 2017 is shaping up to be an important milestone for conscious travelers. Hotel El Ganzo, which has followed a sustainable model since its inception, has put a stronger plan into action to continue advancing its sustainability efforts.
The boutique hotel located at the base of the Puerto Los Cabos Marina in Los Cabos, Mexico is known for its chic, laid-back vibe and robust arts program. However, guests will also find an eco-friendly culture in a hotel that prides itself in going a step beyond encouraging guests to reuse towels and sheets. El Ganzo now equips every room with its own branded cantimplora, a reusable, BPA-free water bottle guests can carry around the property and refill at the hotel’s many refill stations. In addition, El Ganzo began its herb & vegetable garden project which has now flourished into a small lot containing a variety of organic herbs, microgreens and vegetables used by the hotel’s Chef in daily cooking. In terms of social sustainability, El Ganzo features only locally-sourced bath salts and toiletries in each guestroom. It has also teamed up with Huerta Los Tamarindos, a neighboring organic farm that provides the resort with fresh produce.
In addition, El Ganzo has created a Community Center offering a free art program for local children which introduces them to visual arts and permaculture.
Other environmentally-friendly practices include reducing plastic waste by using recyclable straws and saving water by utilizing a special local nopal-based laundry soap that reduces the hotel’s water consumption by 80 percent. This year, El Ganzo will implement a special recycling training for staff in an effort to continue instilling a sustainable mindset among its employees. The hotel is also a Platinum member of CREST, a policy-oriented NGOresearch organization dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism, and a Kind Traveler partner, a booking platform where guests get exclusive hotel rates by donating to their choice of top-rated charities.
“At its core, our sustainable program reinforces our commitment and determination to contribute to limit environmental footprint in beautiful Los Cabos and to the development of a community that thrives on tourism,” said Ella Messerli, the hotel’s General Manager and Board member of The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST).
