Sustainability

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ATTA Events Sustainability Strategy

ATTA's Mission

The ATTA’s mission is to empower a global travel community to deliver experiences that protect natural and cultural capital while creating shared economic value. Sustainability is no longer an option; it is a requirement, and ATTA has made it one of its main pillars. Guided by a pragmatic approach, the ATTA has pledged in its Sustainability Policy to be a torchbearer by leading by example and inspiring others to follow suit.

Sustainability at ATTA Events

Our events, which periodically bring together our vibrant, diverse community throughout the year, are fundamental to achieving our mission.

As part of our commitment to sustainability, our events include the following key objectives:

• Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts
• Maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts
• Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts

In our agreements with event host partners and partner tour operators, we collaborate to align the ATTA community’s values and goals with those of the destination in order to purchase locally, conserve water, reduce plastic use, avoid food waste, limit energy consumption and transport within the context of each event, and commit to sustainable practices in the future.

Commitment to Climate

As an organization committed to realizing and expanding the positive benefits of travel for local communities and conservation, ATTA extends this commitment to climate. We measure the carbon emissions associated with our events (including delegates and business travel) and seek to remove part of and, most of all, reduce these emissions.

We take a continuous improvement approach to Sustainability and work in different ways to improve our positive impact within our events and for the industry as a whole.

Mobilizing the Industry

ATTA helps mobilize the broader industry as well to support climate through education and practical tools. Visit our Sustainability Resource Center for more information.

The Sustainability Fund

In 2024, the ATTA is expanding its dedication to sustainability by establishing a Sustainability Fund, whose aim is to support carbon reduction initiatives and nature-based conservation projects, complementing the organization’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Collaborating closely with partners and destinations, the ATTA is determined to achieve a 5% to 10% reduction in per-delegate emissions in the first year.

ATTA events actively contribute to conservation projects through the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF), climate education, carbon removal via permanent storage, and the promotion of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through Tomorrow’s Air, which provides an easy way for individuals and businesses to support a cutting-edge portfolio of climate saving technologies.

The Sustainability Fund will be financed through contributions generated by ATTA’s events and projects worldwide.

Get in Touch

For questions or suggestions to support our events sustainability team, please send an email to [email protected] subject line: Events Sustainability

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Ministry of Tourism Ecuador, Sustainability Strategy

Tourism in Ecuador has become a tool for generating wealth and well-being throughout
the country. This goal is achieved through the strengthening of sustainable tourism
that is environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically inclusive.

Sustainable and Responsible: The Ministry of Tourism bases its strategy on a broad
approach to tourism sustainability, understood as the responsibility to minimize the
negative impacts of tourism while enhancing and expanding the positive opportunities
and impacts for the industry, territories, local communities, and visitors, through a
responsible use of the country's tourism potential. The Ministry will promote
sustainable and responsible tourism among all stakeholders by strengthening and
diversifying a portfolio of high-quality sustainable products and destinations.

Territorially Coordinated from the Market Perspective: The objective is to stimulate
favorable conditions that drive sustainable tourism as a source of foreign exchange
generation in the case of inbound tourism, and the strengthening and redistribution of
local income in the case of domestic tourism. This will ensure that opportunities for
employment and wealth generation are extended to the entire population without any
form of discrimination, prioritizing territorial targeting through a cluster, circuit, or
corridor approach based on local potential and market priorities.

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Sustainability Practices at AdventureNEXT Cuenca 2025

Carbon Reduction and Removal

• We recognize that the travel sector contributes eight percent of all global carbon emissions. ATTA has committed to achieving a 5% to 10% reduction in per-delegate emissions and contributes to conservation projects through the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund - ATCF and climate education, carbon removal via permanent storage, and the promotion of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through Tomorrow’s Air.
• We invite our delegates to join us in this commitment by contributing through a one-time purchase or monthly subscription to Tomorrow’s Air.
• We also want to invite our delegates to make choices in their travel to and from Kitzbühel to seek the most sustainable modes of transportation, food and lodging choices that they can.
  

Reduce, Reuse + Recycle

• ATTA has moved to eliminate single-use polypropylene banners from our events. All new banners are printed on recycled fabric and are designed to be used over and over again. Banner production has also been reduced in favor of digital projection where possible. Exhibitors are encouraged to do the same.
• ATTA prioritizes the digital distribution of information over paper handouts wherever possible. There is no printed agenda, for example. Exhibitors are encouraged to do the same.
• If printing is necessary, recycled and sustainably certified paper is used.
• Water stations are available onsite at the KitzKongress conference space and delegates are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle and eliminate the use of disposable plastic.
• Food waste is reduced by providing the optimal quantity of food for the calculated number of registered delegates.
  

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Sustainability at Quinta Lucrecia

Coming Soon

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Exhibiting Partners

Partners are encouraged to:

• Eliminate single-use banners and consider renting a television screen for their exhibition area instead.
  
• Use recyclable materials such as cardboard for signage and avoid foam board and polypropylene.
  
• Print locally, if printing is necessary, and source recycled, sustainably certified paper options.
  
• Leave no trace behind by shipping out all booth properties and packing materials and donating extra giveaways.
  
• Break down all cardboard boxes and gather them together so that they may be easily identified for recycling by the convention center staff.
  

A Note on Giveaways

After more than 15 years of events, ATTA has received a lot of feedback about the kinds of giveaways that are appreciated and valued and those that are not, either because of their environmental impact or simply because travel professionals have received so many through the years. If giveaways are utilized, we recommend that our partners:

DO consider:

• • Artisan-made local crafts tied to your culture
    
  • Edible treats, cookies, chocolates, tea, coffee
    
  • Scarves, hats, especially locally made in your region
    
  • Useful items like branded notebooks, pens, tote bags, hand sanitizers
    

Please DON’T consider:

• • Reusable water bottles (our delegates say that they have enough of these)
    
  • Reusable shopping bags (these have been trendy for the past few years and most of us now have enough of them)
    
  • Luggage tags
    
  • Items that won’t travel well because they are large or breakable
    
  • Plastic trinkets, keychains
    

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Sustainability Practices at Local Hotels

Hotel El Dorado

At El Dorado Hotel, for 65 years we have been committed to sustainability as an essential axis of our management. We describe some of the actions to minimize our environmental impact and promote a culture of respect for the environment:

1. Energy efficiency
The Hotel has implemented motion sensors in common areas and floors from the first to the seventh to optimize the use of electricity, reducing unnecessary electricity consumption. Each room has dimmer bulbs that allow us to regulate the intensity of the light. This measure is complemented by the use of LED lighting throughout the building.

2. Reducing use of plastics
Areas and departments alike adopted an active policy to reduce the use of single-use plastics. We have digitized our brochures, informative and advertising material, and placed water bottles in strategic areas (reception lobby and mezzanine) to encourage our guests to use reusable bottles. We also promote the correct separation of waste by our cleaning, maintenance, kitchen, bakery, pastry and even administrative employees.

3. Environmental education and employee participation
We promote environmental awareness among our employees through internal campaigns and visual messages in work areas and in a group chat managed by Human Resources. We involve our staff in reducing energy and water consumption during their activities.

4. Supporting local suppliers
For us, it is important to prioritize local consumption, which is why we need that 85% of the products used in our menu come from local producers, which reinforces our commitment to the local economy. Meanwhile, in our minibar, 30% of the products are produced in the area, promoting conscious and regional consumption.

5. Use of returnable containers in amenities
To reduce the environmental impact of toiletries, we implemented refillable shampoo, conditioner and liquid soap dispensers in our rooms, thus eliminating small disposable containers.

6. Recycling and reuse of materials
We sort and recycle plastic containers and, in partnership with the staff, we encourage the reuse of some of these materials. In addition, unused utensils (such as glasses or containers) are adapted for internal cleaning tasks, such as cleaning glass, thus prolonging their useful life.

7. Responsible management of oil waste
We have an adequate storage system for used cooking oil, which is delivered to authorized managers for proper disposal or reuse as biofuel.

8. Responsible handling of forgotten objects
We implement a transparent protocol for the handling of objects forgotten by guests, based on criteria of traceability, security and direct contact with the owner whenever possible, demonstrating integrity in each process. Unclaimed items are donated to charities every 6 months.
These actions are replicated in the brand's points of sale, such as restaurants and cafeterias.

Hotel Casa San Rafael

Sustainability Report of Hotel Casa San Rafael

Tradition, comfort, and sustainability. Located in the heart of Cuenca, we work every day for responsible tourism. Here are some of our ecological actions:

• Waste separation and recycling
• Low-consumption showers and faucets
• Rainwater reuse for garden irrigation
• Efficient use of electricity through LED lighting, motion sensors, and switching off unnecessary lights
• Biodegradable cleaning products
• We invite our guests to leave a green footprint
• Every drop counts, every action adds up

1. Introduction
Hotel Casa San Rafael, located in the historic center of Cuenca, is committed to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This report presents the main actions implemented in waste management, water conservation, responsible energy consumption, and other sustainable practices.

2. Waste Management
The hotel has adopted a waste separation system at the source, classifying waste into organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable categories. We promote the reduction of single-use plastics by replacing them with reusable or biodegradable materials. Additionally, we collaborate with local recycling companies to ensure the proper disposal of materials.

3. Water Conservation Campaigns
To reduce water consumption, the hotel has installed low-flow faucets and showers, as well as dual-flush toilets. Awareness campaigns are conducted for both staff and guests to encourage responsible water use. Rainwater is also reused for garden irrigation and exterior cleaning.

4. Energy Efficiency and Lighting Care
The hotel has implemented several strategies to optimize electricity use. Low-consumption LED lights have been installed, as well as motion sensors in hallways and common areas. Guests are encouraged to turn off unnecessary lights and use electrical appliances responsibly.

5. Education and Awareness
Hotel staff receive continuous training on sustainable practices. Informative signs are placed in rooms and common areas to invite guests to participate in ecological initiatives such as reusing towels, reducing food waste, and helping save energy.

6. Conclusion
Hotel Casa San Rafael demonstrates that it is possible to offer a high-quality guest experience while protecting the environment. Through its sustainable actions, it contributes to the responsible development of tourism in Cuenca.

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