"We need to prepare for the sustainable habits of the tourist to come"
The sustainability revolution is "here to stay" and the hotel sector, like society in general, "is increasingly aware". Barcelona must therefore set itself apart and prepare for the sustainable consumption needs and habits of the future tourist.
31-12-2018 | Interviews
Mònica Vallejo
Owner of Eco Hostal Grau
These are the thoughts of Mònica Vallejo, owner of Eco Hostal Grau, an establishment with just 25 rooms right in the middle of Barcelona and highly focused on energy efficiency, sustainable design, certified wood and other environmentally friendly materials, and even a pilot room that is almost free of electromagnetic radiation.
In 2012, faced with the need to renovate this old family-owned guest house, they decided to set themselves a major challenge: obtain LEED (Green Building Design and Construction) certification, a respected label only granted to buildings and installations that meet certain strict requirements concerning sustainability and promote the circular economy.
The renovation and reconversion to a boutique eco-guesthouse has not only led to increasing numbers of millennials among their clients ("The average age has fallen and the age range is now 20-65 years", she explains), but also altered their and their employees' philosophy on life. She feels that "a hotel can educate its clients so that, while they are in Barcelona, they do everything possible to protect the environment". She also believes that the hotel management can train its employees to use less plastic, recycle, exercise and use public transport. A complete change in paradigm.
Her philosophy is to make the establishment a home from home for visitors, who she treats as if they were family or friends. In addition to making them feel at home, she helps them to live like a local, so supporting sustainable tourism. "Travelling and discovering a city also means getting to know its residents: we are the most important part in making sure that their experience in Barcelona is as authentic as possible", she adds. This is corroborated by comments from clients on review websites.
Walls with the best insulation, PVC-free pipes, furniture recovered from the grandparents' house, mirrors restored by people with disabilities, handmade organic mattresses and high-speed Wifi: according to Vallejo, the concept and characteristics of the guesthouse make its business model completely innovative. Consequently, she would like to export it from Barcelona to other European cities if she can find investors who are interested.