Helvex promotes the efficient use of water in the hotel industry

Although, the turismo It is an activity that generates a significant economic benefit in Mexico, it also has a significant impact on the environment, especially due to its high water consumption derived from the high traffic of people.

Data from the World Bank show that the availability of the vital liquid annual average per capita went from 10,000 cubic meters of agua in 1960 to 4,000 in 2002 and it is estimated that by 2023, it will drop below 3,000 per inhabitant per year.

For its part, a hotel can consume up to 840 liters of agua per person per day, so more than an option, the care of this vital liquid is an urgent need.

“The water crisis is a problem that has afflicted the country for several years and forecasts for the future are not encouraging. Taking the environment into account, we reinforce our commitment to promote conservation and the efficient use of water. agua”, commented Jorge Barbará Martín, president of the Helvex Foundation.

As part of the effort to raise awareness for a rational use of this resource, the 2023 Edition of the Distinctive Hydro Sustainable Hotel is carried out, to recognize and encourage good environmental practices in hotels, by the Alliance for Sustainability water in the Turismo.

project scope

Since its presentation in 2011, the hotels that have been awarded the badge have generated savings of more than 400 million euros. liters of waterwhich translates into around 30 million pesos.

Throughout these years, a total of 430 hotels have participated, for the 2023 edition it is expected that there will be 100 participants.
Taking into account that there are more than 24,000 lodging establishments in Mexico, participation in the sustainable actions promoted by the Helvex Foundation is considerably low.

Alma Meneses, general manager of Fundación Helvex, explained that this is due to a lack of awareness and regulations that promote and regulate good environmental practices in the industry.

“Since there is no regulation in sustainability issue within the sector, participation is to some extent low. More awareness is needed. We are looking for alliances with hotel associations in different states so that this grows more”, Meneses commented.
Around 80% of the applicants for the badge are large hotel chains such as Grupo Posadas and CityExpress, for which the specialist stressed that the challenge is to increase the integration of independent establishments, for which they have lower recovery quotas and indicators.

Benefits

The Distinctive Hotel Hidro Sustentable is endorsed by The Alliance for Water Sustainability in Tourism, made up of organizations specialized in tourism and sustainabilitysuch as:

• Anahuac University Faculty of Tourism
• State Water Commission of Querétaro
• National Association of Hotel Chains
• Earthgonomic, A.C.
• Fundación Helvex AC

Some of the benefits offered to participants are: competitiveness, training, follow-up program and approach to international certifications.

Hotels that wish to obtain the badge have until April 28. Registration can be done at www.distintivo.fundacionhelvex.org.