This year, the coveted environmental award “EcoTrophea” of the DRV goes to the Sentido Galomar Ecohotel on Madeira. Above all, solutions that counteract the climate-related water shortage were evaluated.
The Sentido Galomar Ecohotel on Madeira was awarded the EcoTrophea 2023. The international award for environmental protection and social responsibility from the DRV was presented to the DERTOUR Group hotel at the DRV Capital Congress in Berlin on 12 October 2023. The hotel was able to convince the jury with its efficient solutions in the careful use of water, a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change.
The four-star hotel consistently uses rainwater and seawater wherever possible. For example, rainwater is used for cleaning and watering the gardens, and seawater is used for the pools and cooling. The use of seawater for the swimming pools alone saves around 89,000 litres of drinking water when filling the pool, as well as another 365,000 litres annually for cleaning the filter systems. In addition, the hotel is 100 per cent energy self-sufficient and is equipped with solar and photovoltaic systems.
“The Sentido Galomar makes an effective contribution to sustainability in tourism and can be called a showpiece in terms of sustainability,” explains Prof. Harald Zeiss, Chairman of the DRV Sustainability Committee and Chairman of the EcoTrophea jury, on the occasion of the award ceremony in Berlin.
“Especially now – in times of climate crisis – the resource-saving use of water is of great importance. This is implemented with great commitment at the Sentido Galomar – and will hopefully find many imitators”. „We see this award as the highest motivation to continue and to ensure the value of the planet for future generations through lived sustainability activities in our hotels and destinations”, adds Christian Grage, Managing Director DERTOUR Group Hotels & Resorts.
About the EcoTrophea award:
The international award for environmental protection and social responsibility in tourism of the German Travel Association (DRV) is one of the most traditional awards in the travel industry and has been presented since 1987. This year, the EcoTrophea was all about water. Solutions were sought that could counteract the climate-induced water shortage.
Harald Zeiss, Chairman of the DRV Sustainability Committee, presents the EcoTrophea 2023 to Janine Ziegler, DTHR Manager Brand Management, during the DRV Capital Congress in Berlin.