Following a lengthy and detailed application process, the Old House Hotel’s efforts to create a culture of sustainability have earned the organization a biosphere sustainable certification from the globally recognized Responsible Tourism Institute.
The biosphere sustainable management program utilizes 17 sustainable development goals which, under the principles and objectives of the United Nations, seek to end poverty and hunger, realize the human rights of all, achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
According to Courtenay’s Old House Hotel General Manager David Rooper, their commitment was sparked two years ago at the IMPACT Conference, an International Sustainability-focused Tourism gathering held yearly in Victoria.
“The learning and positive energy shared among the delegates and presenters were so motivating, I committed to the program and assigned a team to start the certification journey,” said Rooper. “While our hotel culture naturally embraces a sustainable mission, we found that through the biosphere program, we were not only able to track a phenomenal amount of work we were doing, but also to see how we can do so much more. To that end, our sustainability leaders are in the process of creating a 2024 Sustainability Business Plan with more exciting ideas we look forward to implementing.”
The public is invited to see for themselves the efforts being made by the Old House.
“Anyone can visit our portal and review the work we are doing,” said Rooper. “I’m proud to mention that our team has earned us high marks within our hotel category. But more importantly, this effort is more about getting as many tourism-related businesses and destinations to join the effort as possible. I am very impressed by the number of Vancouver Island organizations that have achieved certification or who are committed to the process.”
The destination marketing organization for the Comox Valley, 4VI, has embraced this program to guide the area’s present and future tourism planning.
“I truly believe we can all create a better world by working toward the 17 sustainability goals that so clearly points us all toward doing our best in key areas of our personal and work lives,” added Rooper.