Tourism is an industry that generates flows of people, consumption and even overconsumption, and it is completely normal to evolve and to ask new questions. Today, in the sociological and environmental conditions that we know, how should we approach this new form of tourism? What is sustainable tourism? And what role can we play at our level in this process that affects us all?
What does sustainable tourism means ?
Many notions have emerged. “Sustainable tourism”, “responsible tourism”, “fair tourism”, “ecological tourism” or even “eco-responsible tourism”. Today there are many variants and it is sometimes complex to sort them out. We are going to focus here on sustainable tourism and give you the keys to understanding what this new mode of travel consists of.
What are the principles of sustainable tourism?
What exactly is sustainable tourism? The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as tourism “that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment and host communities. “.
Thus, it is a global approach that encompasses the visitor but also the heritage, local life and the environment. Preserving the environment and tourist sites is ultimately a means of sustaining tourist activity. Look further, open up, help each other, think universal and not individual.
ore summarily, we can say that sustainable tourism goes against mass tourism.
What is mass tourism?
Mass tourism represents over-attendance or over-tourism. Overcrowded sites that lead to alteration or even destruction of the premises. Beyond the site itself, an entire local population can be impacted. It’s time to rethink tourism and see more.
What is the difference between sustainable tourism and responsible tourism?
The difference is in the actor. Responsible tourism, contrary to what we wrote above, appeals to the responsibility of the traveler. It is he who decides to take certain modes of transport, to choose ecological accommodation and to consume more locally.
Who is affected by sustainable tourism?
Finally, are concerned by sustainable tourism, the travelers of course, but also the actors of tourism, the inhabitants, and all living beings on our planet. Sustainable tourism aims to protect the environment and local populations from tourism that can sometimes be devastating. Remember this beach in Thailand, Maya Bay, which remained closed to the public for 3 years to recover from the damage to the fauna and flora caused by this industry.
Sustainable tourism in Paris
Paris is certainly a big city, but a big city that attaches particular importance to sustainable tourism. No less than 50 million tourists come to visit our capital and we all want this to continue. Construction of eco-districts, improvements in non-polluting transport, opening of organic and local markets, … The city is full of initiatives and projects aimed at pampering our environment. Because in the city too, we can see a greener future 😉
Non-polluting transport
Paris has the advantage of having a reasonably sized city centre. You can walk to visit the city or use other transport:
- Public transports :
Metro and bus lines criss-cross the capital. In addition, some of the Parisian buses are electric!
- Self-service bicycles and scooters:
Paris has made great efforts to allow bicycles to circulate in the capital. Thus, many cycle paths have emerged and it has become easy to cross the city. You will find just here the map of Paris cycle paths.
Also, here are interesting sites for:
It is quite possible to hire a green taxi by calling the Parisian taxi company, G7.
Sustainable restaurant
There are now many labels for catering. So, if you want to eat in a sustainable restaurant, you will find the labels:
- Label Mangeons local en Île de France, des produits d’ici cuisinés ici : the chef therefore undertakes to use mainly products from the Ile de France region and to cook them on site.
- Label Mangeons local en île de France, ici, la cuisine est dans la rue : this label is aimed at street food that is often of poor quality, offering local products
- Label Écotable :responsible restaurants that promote short circuits, organic farming or sustainable sectors.
Sustainable shopping
IIt is quite possible to have fun and spend a day shopping in Paris while doing a responsible act.
Rue de Seine, two minutes’ walk from the Hotel des 2 Continents, you will find the boutique L’Habit Français. This store offers French clothes and accessories made in France.
At Galeries Lafayette, follow the “Go for good” labels on products that respect the environment and social and local development.
The Or du Monde shop, in the 2nd arrondissement, is a jewelry store that produces pieces in France that are concerned with nature and people.
Sustainable tourism in Paris : Hotel des 2 Continents
Responsible travel, sustainable travel is possible, even in France, even in Paris! Among all the forms of tourism that exist, make this choice and you will not be disappointed. Because sustainable development or solidarity tourism do not necessarily rhyme with bad holidays!
The Hotel des 2 Continents, in the very center of Paris
The Hotel des 2 Continents welcomes you right in the center of Parisian activity, in the heart of the 6th arrondissement and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A stone’s throw away, you will find Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Seine and the Louvre Museum. You just have to pass the door of the hotel to experience all of Paris. Walking is the most ecological and the most beautiful way to discover the Capital. While walking, you can unearth small secret places, such as a hidden courtyard, a hidden architectural detail or a majestic door.
In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, public transport is plentiful. They allow you to go a little further from the Saint-Germain-des-Prés metro stations (lines 4 and 10) or bus (63, 86, 95, 69, …). Velib stations are located rue Saint-Benoit or rue Jacques Calot.
Rooms at the Hotel des 2 Continents
The Hotel des 2 Continents welcomes tourists and businessmen alike in rooms for 1 to 4 people. All rooms are equipped with:
- free wifi ;
- private bathroom with hair dryer ;
- individual air conditioning ;
- blackout curtains ;
- good quality mattress ;
- tea and coffee facilities…
Breakfast at the Hotel des 2 Continents
A buffet breakfast is served daily between 07:00 a:m and 11:00 a:m in the breakfast room. On the menu :
- Organic scrambled eggs with sausages
- Breads, baguettes, brioches, pancakes and pastries
- Cold meat and cheese
- Cereals and organic milk
- Fresh fruits and fruits salad, …
A continental breakfast can be served in the room upon request. A great way to start the day in Paris.
Ecological approach of the Hotel des 2 Continents
We have recently started an ecological shift and we are proud to have obtained the Green Key label, one of the labels for environmentally conscious tourism. It rewards hotels that stand out in terms of sustainability and environmental policy.
We receive many international tourists and the environmental damage is evident. Tourist flows generate extremely high carbon balances and are gas emitters; for future generations, we had to act, on our scale. Global warming reminds us of this every day. We therefore want to control the environmental impacts of our services as much as we can.
Hotel
New practices have been implemented at the Hotel des 2 Continents:
- Saving water and energy by installing water limiters in the bathrooms and equipping our establishment with low-consumption light bulbs, timers and presence detectors;
- We choose our service providers based on their sustainable and social investment;
- Our staff is trained in eco-gestures in daily tasks;
- We use ozonated water to clean rooms and common area;
- We sort waste;
- We favor organic, sustainable products, short circuits and seasonal products for breakfast;
- We work in partnership with leshotelssolidaires.com to redistribute pastries not consumed at breakfast;
- We have changed our welcome products in order to save plastic and recycle. They are fully eco-certified. We therefore no longer have individual packaging products in the room but large containers that we make sure to fill regularly.
Guests
With a view to raising traveler awareness, we are implementing best practices in the room:
- We are deepening waste management: a sorting bin will soon be placed in the room;
- We change bed linen and towels at the convenience of our guests. An unwashed towel saves 6 liters of water. Similarly, it is quite possible to refuse cleaning in the room;
- We remind our customers:
- to use the heating and air conditioning in moderation and to switch off the heating or air conditioning in the event of an open window;
- to turn off the lights when leaving the room;
- to remember to turn off the taps when brushing your teeth and not to let the water run unnecessarily: a 5-minute shower consumes 40 to 50 liters of water, each additional minute consumes 10 liters more.
- We now offer our guests to offset the carbon footprint of their stay by donating 1€/day/room to ReforestAction. An environmental project aimed at acting for responsible tourism.
- In our pre-stay questionnaire, we also provide information on non-polluting transport and we can meet the demand for tourist activities in accordance with our sustainable development policy.
Book your room now at the Hotel des 2 Continents and become one of the players in sustainable tourism.
