Vincci Hotels, committed to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Code of Ethics

The hotel chain formalized its commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism at a ceremony held on Wednesday 17 January at FITUR, in which several companies from the private sector signed the document in support of this reference framework The Code of Ethics promoted by the UNWTO aims to help maximize the benefits to the sector, while minimizing any possible negative consequences for the environment, cultural heritage and societies around the world.

The Vincci Hotels chain has signed of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism , promoted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), as a fundamental framework of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism. The ceremony, in which several companies from the private sector participated, took place on Wednesday 17 January at the UNWTO stand at FITUR and was attended by the manager director of Vincci Hotels, Carlos Calero, who explained that the company has since its creation undertaken a series of commitments regarding respect for the social and environmental surroundings and emphasized the importance of initiatives like this that “make us reflect on our role in the sector and the care for the environment in which our company carries out its activity”.

Carlos Calero said that the path towards sustainable tourism involves the implementation of measures aimed at sustainability and the restructuring of internal programmes, among other issues, but also in the establishment of action protocols “often small gestures and day-to-day work can lead to important overall results”, the director stated. “Therefore it is necessary to create a habit and be consistent with certain actions that, at first glance, are not very relevant individually, but that, however, together, achieve a substantial improvement in our environment.”

For his part, the UNWTO Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili, highlighted the importance of this document that aims to help maximize the benefits to the sector, while minimizing any possible negative consequences for the environment, cultural heritage and societies around the world. Approved in 1999 by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, its recognition two years later by the United Nations explicitly encouraged the UNWTO to promote real compliance with its provisions. Although the Code is not legally binding, it incorporates a voluntary application mechanism through its recognition of the role of the World Tourism Ethics Committee, to which the parties can address any questions regarding the application and interpretation of the document. The ten principles of the Code broadly cover the economic, social, cultural and environmental elements of travel and tourism

Since its foundation in 2001, Vincci Hotels has implemented different courses of action included in its 2016-2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Master Plan, which affects the entire company both in it hotels and headquarters and takes stock of the targets achieved so far while setting new challenges for the coming years. Given this commitment, Vincci Hotels has been published an Annual Sustainability Report for each of the past 5 years.

The current plan links the mission and vision of Vincci Hotels, supported by three pillars: the social, environmental and health-related areas, prioritizing continuous improvement, resource optimization, consumption control, waste reduction and management, as well as respect and protection of the cultural and social environment in all the chain’s establishments, both hotels and headquarters. The company believes it is essential to integrate quality and environmental management in each of its hotels; to identify and comply with local, regional, state and European regulations in this area; prevent, as much as possible, pollution; and promote the saving of energy and natural resources, both at the chain level and individually at each hotel. That is why all processes are underlined by a firm environmental and social commitment which we have conveyed to both employees and suppliers. The chain is ISO 14001 certified, as a result of the integration of quality and environmental management in each of its hotels.

The different practices carried out by the chain in these areas can be consulted on its corporate website Vincci Sustainable & Responsible Hotels. Here the company describes its commitments to society and the environment, and its track record, recognized in 2016 by the Ministry of Industry with the awarding of the Tourism Medal of Merit to the president of Vincci Hotels, Rufino Calero Cuevas, in the Sustainability and Quality category. The award, granted by the Government, recognized the businessman’s contribution in this matter to Spanish tourism. A whole series of commitments which Vincci Hotels has undertaken since its foundation, as well as a commitment to top quality service, always acting responsibly to offer each customer an unforgettable experience.