Guest article: sustainable wellness holiday

When it comes to “sustainable travel”, Stefany Seipp has made a name for itself over many years. She is the managing director of the information and communication platform Green Pearls® in Darmstadt, which is committed to sustainable tourism without sacrifice, social balance and environmental protection. Here her guest contribution over lasting Wellnessurlaub on WowPlaces.

Sustainable wellness vacations: relax with a clear conscience.

Sustainability is more in demand than ever in times like these. Climate change is progressing, rainforests are being cut down and the world's oceans are polluted and overfished. What this has to do with your wellness vacation? Well, not much at first glance. But when you travel sustainably, you are not only doing something good for yourself, but also for the environment.

What distinguishes sustainable hotels

A rethink has also begun and is still taking place among wellness hotels. More and more hoteliers are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to convince with the buzzword “sustainable travel”. Here, however, you should be careful not to fall for scams. Many advertise with sustainability, because the topic simply goes down well, without then really being sustainable.

Of course, you don't have to imagine a bamboo hut without electricity now. Sustainability can also go very well with comfort. For example, a hotel may call itself sustainable that:

Covers at least part of its energy needs through renewable energy sources, for example via solar panels on the roof or clean electricity from the region.

pays attention to waste separation

Relying on energy- and water-efficient room amenities

Room and temperature sensor owns

Doing away with disposable packaging at the breakfast buffet and in the room – for example, the soap dispenser

Adopts a sustainable company policy by offering, for example, that towels don't need to be washed daily.

Offers vegetables, meat and fish from the region and from sustainable cultivation

Natural products used for wellness treatments

Rely on building materials made from native woods.

If a wellness hotel fulfills these points, there is no disadvantage for you. Towels and bed linen do not need to be washed every day if they are not dirty. And disposable packaging at breakfast is not a good idea anyway. You may even appreciate the benefits of this hotel policy.

Protect the environment with sustainable wellness vacations

But what does it do for the environment if you portion out your own butter at breakfast instead of getting a small, freshly packaged one?? This step may seem small and insignificant to you, but the famous small fry makes a mess – or, in this case, it doesn't make any. Less disposable packaging means less unnecessary waste. To do so, we need to produce less, which conserves resources. In this respect, these small gestures do make a difference.

Plus, hotels that partner with regional farmers support the local economy. This also results in short transport routes, which is good for the environment, and as a pleasant side effect makes the fruit and vegetables taste fresher.

Water-efficient showers and toilets serve their purpose just as well as their high-consumption counterparts, but with, say, a jet dimmer or built-in flow restrictor, showerheads don't emit as much water and resources aren't wasted. And, don't worry: you can still shower normally.

How to recognize sustainable wellness hotels

We've already mentioned that many hotels claim to be “sustainable” without actually living up to the label. But how can you tell if you can trust the hotel or if you are about to be taken in by a fraud?? The following tips will give you a starting point:

• If you are unsure, ask us. Call the hotel, if you like, and ask why it calls itself sustainable. Check carefully. A hotelier who has nothing to hide will not turn you away, but will be happy about your interest and glad to give you information.
• If you see a fountain in the brochure or in pictures on the Internet, you should be suspicious, because no sustainable hotel would allow itself this unnecessary waste of water. , where you can search specifically on the portal for hotels that participate in this program. You can also view a list of sustainable services for each hotel here. The testimonials of the community give you additional information about the integrity of the hotel.
• Ask friends or acquaintances if they can recommend a sustainable wellness hotel. It's not uncommon to come across one or two gems in the process.
• You'll also be acting in a particularly sustainable way if you choose a hotel near you that doesn't require you to get on a plane to get there. There are also very good wellness hotels in Germany, for which you do not have to travel long distances, which is good for the environment as well as for your nerves. The Hotel Schwarzwaldpanorama in Bad Herrenalb, for example, is a great place to relax.

Sustainability is a long overdue step

Sustainability is not just a trend, it's an important, long overdue step in the right direction. For a long time, we have tormented our planet with unnecessary waste and waste of resources – time to shift down a gear. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on your wellness vacation. Just go for hotels that specialize in sustainability. The experience will not be diminished by this decision, quite the contrary. You will probably enjoy the delicious regional dishes and the natural spa offer. And it is best to relax with a clear conscience anyway.