Skal Europe Awards for Sustainability and Quality

The first Skal Europe Awards for Sustainability and Quality have been assigned to the winners on the 23d of October, after the Annual General Meeting at Hotel Ca’ Sagredo in Venezia.

These awards are the great result of the work done in the previous months by Armando Ballarin, at the time Vice President of Skal Europe. It was a team achievement involving not only the Board of Skal Europe but also National Committees and Clubs.

Five Skal Europe awards have been assigned:

1 – For the Development of Art and Culture tourism while preserving and protecting the heritage in sustainable cities and communities the award went to the INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF RELIGIOUS AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OF PAMPLONA presented by Skal Madrid represented by Francisco Rivero, Club President and newly elected Vice President of Skal Europe. Religious tourism can have a strong impact on destinations and local communities and this congress goes into deep analysis producing practical recommendations usable by the industry.

See here project details from Francisco Rivero – International Congress of religious and sustainable tourism of Pamplona

2 – For New approaches to Product, Marketing and Sales preventing over-tourism, over-exploitation of destinations through Inclusive and decent work and economic growth was given to BERNADETTE LO BIANCO of Skal Palermo, for the great work she did in making Sicilian beaches accessible to all. The project is called SICILIA E SIRACUSA MARE PER TUTTI (Sicily and Siracuse Sea for All), it’s been running for some years and now 50% of the beaches within the territory are fully accessible.

See here project details from Bernadette Lo Bianco – Sicily and Siracuse for All

3 – For New Digital approaches promoting sustainable tourism the Award was given to MARKUS GRATZER of Skal Austria author of the Study on Digitalization in the Hotel Industry (“Hotellerie 4.1”: Update zur großen Digitalisierungsstudie) for the Austrian Hotel Association. Careful data collection within the Austrian Hotel Association permits Markus to measure the advancement of IT and Web technologies over the years and can be a useful model for similar associations in other countries.

See here project details from Markus Gratzer – Hotellerie 4.1

4 – For Tourism development projects or best practices with significant reduction of environmental impact the Award went to CARMEN FIORITI of Skal Rome, for the amazing results obtained at SARDEGNA GRAND HOTEL TERME in the fields of renewable energy generation, and the certified sustainable approach (EU Ecolabel) to the environment and to the local communities. Architect Emanuele Boaretto, Chairman of Terme di Sardegna Board and President of Federalberghi Terme collected the prize.

See here project details from Carmen Fioriti – Sardegna Grand Hotel Terme

5 -For Research and Innovation programs providing enhanced education, forecasting, and planning options to tourism operators the prize went to MICHAELA REITTERER, of Boutiquehotel Stadthalle from Skal Wien for her study on Zero Waste Strategy in the Hotel Industry. The study is published on the website of the Austrian Hotel Association and is available for all hoteliers to use.

See here project details from Michaela Reitterer – Boutiquehotel Stadthalle

On the same occasion, after the European awards, Armando Ballarin announced the winners for the Italian Sustainability and Quality Awards.

Four Skal Italia Awards have been assigned:

1 – For the Development of Art and Culture tourism while preserving and protecting the heritage in sustainable cities and communities the award went to ELISABETTA CALANDRINO of Skal Palermo, for years of activity as a consultant to the city hall of Palermo for the development of sustainable tourism and cultural events.

See here project details from Elisabetta Calandrino

2 – For the Development of Gastronomy tourism while protecting unique agriculture and food chains through Responsible consumption and production the prize was assigned to FRANCESCO DI MARTINO of Skal Pompei for his RISTORANTE CAUPONA, a unique reconstruction of a Roman restaurant with full menus of ancient recipes. This encourages the cultivation of vegetable varieties necessary to such cuisine as well as the production of cheeses, wines and sauces. The Caupona restaurant is entirely built and decorated like a classic ancient Roman place, giving not only unique gastronomy but also an experimental feeling of life at that time.

See here project details for Ristorante Caupona

3 – For Tourism development projects or best practices with significant reduction of environmental impact the Award went to ANNA MARIA DE LUCIA of Skal Napoli, for the amazing results obtained at AZIENDA AGRICOLA DE LUCIA located in the fertile countryside of Napoli. A high level of attention is given to the impact of every operation. Traditional methods are used in place of modern chemicals to reduce pests and increase the quality of produce. Many local vegetable varieties are grown here, preserving diversity and maintaining specific tastes on the food market. The prize was received on behalf of Anna Maria De Lucia by Luigi Sciarra, President of Skal Rome.

See here project details for Azienda Agricola De Lucia

4 -For Research and Innovation programs providing enhanced education, forecasting, and planning options to tourism operators the prize went to GIORGIO ARDITO from Skal Friuli Venezia Giulia, for the project of his company, LIGNANO PINETA S.P.A. in support to the School of Mosaics of Friuli. For nine years they sponsored the school and helped it continue to have students keep this craft alive. The students, at the end of each year, participate in a mosaic competition aimed to improve the attractiveness of the tourist area with their works.

See here project details for Lignano Pineta S.p.A. with School of Mosaics of Friuli