Chalet 1802 Responsible Tourism Policy

Certainly the buzz word today with the threat of climate change is responsible tourism. But what does it all actually mean?

Whilst we are certainly not eco warriors expecting our guests to walk to the alps and sleep in iglus we are lucky enough to live and work in one of the most beautiful valleys in France; and we want to keep the Chamonix valley this way.

As such our focus is on protecting and enhancing the environment whilst maintaining the levels of service to which our clients have been accustomed and absorbing any increased costs ourselves.

Obviously a major facet of a responsible tourism policy is an environmental policy. We rely on a pristine mountain environment for our very existence, and we need to protect and preserve this environment if we and future generations are to enjoy the same pleasures and benefits. To do this both skiers and the ski industry need to take important steps towards sustainable tourism.

Thus part of providing a first class skiing holiday has to be a responsibility for conservation and protection of the environment in which we operate. With these aims in mind we have taken steps in order to improve our environmental performance and thus safeguard the natural environment in which we operate.

The question does arise whether we should raise clients awareness or wait for our clients to create a demand for sustainable tourism? Certainly there are barriers such as cost, lack of economic incentive and the fear of appearing didactic to people who are on holiday to escape from everyday responsibilities and to relax and enjoy themselves; but clients also desire a pristine mountain environment in which to do this.

As a specialist niche operator we can more easily put into practice sustainability measures than the mass tour operators who are more concerned by the financial bottom line; and by implementing the necessary steps ourselves, and by providing staff training in environmental practice, the emphasis is taken away from our guests who are left to enjoy their holiday safe in the knowledge that everything is being managed and taken care of by our resort staff. Sustainable tourism's aim is not to stop people travelling or skiing, but simply to do so more responsibly.

The most environmentally friendly thing would be to stop flying and stop going on holidays. This is not realistically going to happen, so people need to take their holidays in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The skiing industry is a service industry and, as such, the company providing the best service will have a clear competitive advantage. But, as environmental performance and enjoyable holidays are increasingly interlinked, adopting and putting into practice an environmental policy not only gives clients and guests a choice when booking their holiday based not just on cost alone, but also works to preserve a pristine natural mountain environment on which the industry relies.

• No Chalet 1802 literature in print: no brochures, tickets or booking forms. All our booking and information is done via email and on the web.
• Recycling everything possible including paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and glass both in the office and the chalets.
• Providing our guests with information on the website containing responsible travel tips.
• We have reduced energy consumption in our accommodation by:
  • installing new, efficient wood burners
  • installing double glazing
  • re-insulating chalet roofs, walls and floors
  • installing energy efficient light bulbs where possible
  • installing new efficient boilers and central heating systems in our chalets
  • installing a geothermal system at Chalet Sous Les Bois