“We saw getting certified as the recognition for all the hard work we put into making sure that our hotel is responsibly managed and doing well for our business, the community and our customers” – Carlos Catan Antonio e Yasmin, owner, Hotel Canto das Águas

The hotel Canto das Aguas (“Song of the Waters”) in Brazil’s beautiful Chapada Diamantina region is the first hotel to be certified under the official Brazilian Sustainable Tourism Standard (ABNT NBR 15.401).

The hotel was established more than 20 years ago in the historic diamond town of Lençois in the Chapada Diamantina, one of Brazil’s top outdoor adventure destinations, in the heart of the State of Bahia. The hotel is known for is charm and hospitality and its attention to its socio-environmental responsibilities. It has been part of the Roteiros de Charme, an independent hotel network that has promoted an environmental code of conduct since 2003.

The Chapada Diamantina (“Diamond Tablelands”) forms the northern part of the ancient Espinhaço mountain range, which runs all the way to Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais. The area combines breathtaking scenery with high biodiversity of plants, including showy orchids and bromeliads.

The Brazilian Sustainable Tourism Standard is one of the results of Brazil Sustainable Tourism Program, coordinated by the Instituto de Hospitalidade and financed by IADB and the Brazilian Government. Apart from developing the standard and incorporating it into Brazil’s official system, the Program (called PCTS/Bem Receber in Brazil) created best practice manuals and offered extensive training programs for accommodations by destination. Since 2009, two organizations in Brazil are accredited at INMETRO, to audit and certify for conformity assessment with the NBR 15.401.

With this first certification for Canto das Águas, the Brazil-wide investment in informing and preparing destinations and accommodations, more hotels are expected to follow suit.

(Source: EcoBrasil)

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