The Cala Jóncols hotel in Roses, awarded as the best sustainable accommodation

2023-04-18 15:59:31

L’Cala Jóncols hotel of Roses has been awarded in Marseille with the Césars du Voyage Responsable prize as the best sustainable accommodation, for its initiatives for tourism that is more environmentally friendly and for reducing the ecological footprint in all the establishment’s processes. An international recognition that accredits the establishment’s commitment to sustainability, which in 2021 became the first hotel on the Costa Brava to obtain the Biosphere sustainable tourism certificate.

The Césars du Voyage Responsable awards are promoted by Tour MaG (the leading specialist tourism magazine in France) in collaboration with le Petit Futé (the French travel guide) with the aim of promoting tourism professionals who carry out initiatives in the field of sustainability.

Total, this year 18 awards were given, distributed in different categories, which have been chosen through the votes of the jury, professionals in the sector and the public. In the case of Cala Jóncols, the award was given by professionals in the sector. A total of 5,000 votes were cast.

Michael Gómez, co-owner of the hotel, stated during the award ceremony that “this international recognition endorses our commitment to tourism that is more environmentally friendly and our commitment to continuous improvement in the field of sustainability. In addition, it encourages us to continue working so that our establishment is increasingly sustainable and to imbue our customers with this philosophy as well.”

The Cala Jóncols hotel in Roses and its surroundings

An establishment with multiple awards

Cala Jóncols, located in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, received the Biosphere sustainable tourism certificate two years ago, the most internationally recognized. It is a voluntary certificate of sustainability granted by the Institute of Responsible Tourism (ITR), an independent body that promotes sustainable development actions and programs in the tourism industry. Obtaining the certification certifies that the establishment works continuously to reduce its negative impacts and to maximize the positive impacts derived from its activity.

Previously, the hotel that has a restaurant, a small biodynamic vineyard and two diving centers in Roses, promoted an innovative waste management system with state-of-the-art technology to close the circle and become a Zero Waste hotel. The initiative makes it possible to guarantee the valorization of practically all the waste generated in the establishment, using the most advanced technology, while contributing to promoting sustainability through the so-called circular economy. Among the measures promoted is the installation of two solar panel plants of 10kw each with a total production of 26,000 kWh -which represents 20% of the annual consumption-, a composting plant that allows the organic waste to be treated on site are generated in the restaurant and transform them, an own treatment plant and the removal of plastic from water containers.

The Cala Jóncols de Roses group is a family business. It opened its doors in 1955, next to an old fisherman’s shelter that is still preserved in the area; is managed by the Gómez-Fernández family.

Cala Jóncols is also a pioneer in the bathing service adapted to Cap de Creus, as it has an amphibious chair so that everyone who needs it can enjoy the cove. In addition, the group has stood out for its innovative initiatives in the world of wine and cava aged under the sea.