Here’s another surprising fact: food waste is no longer just an issue for the wealthy. The report shows that the amount of food wasted per person is remarkably similar across all income levels. This means the problem affects everyone—regardless of income or location.

2030 is not far away, yet the goal is still a long way off

Through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 12.3) the international community has committed to halving food waste by 2030. Sounds like a problem for the future? 2030 is closer than it seems, and this goal will not be achievable without real change in our everyday lives.

After all, food waste is not a marginal issue. It is a major driver of the climate crisis, resource consumption, and economic losses. Every piece of food thrown away represents wasted water, energy, labor, and emissions.

How is this related to travel?

The topic of food is particularly important in the sustainable hotel industry: changing guest flows, buffets, individual dietary requirements, and seasonal fluctuations. Places that cater to large numbers of people on a daily basis are precisely where it becomes clear whether circular thinking works. And that is precisely where we are now drawing some inspiration for our own lives. 😉

Less is more: How smart shopping prevents food waste

Circular food doesn’t start with cooking; it starts with production and purchasing. Many of our Green Pearls® partners demonstrate the importance of this initial step.

At the Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol, at least 80% of the food is sourced locally. Moreover, much of it is produced in-house: eggs from their farm, homemade jams and compotes, herbs and honey from their garden, and hay milk from local cows. This results in short supply chains, minimal packaging, and full control over quality and quantities.

The Tree Hotel My Arbor, the energy-self-sufficient OLM Nature Escape aparthotel, and the sustainable Lifestylehotel SANDnature on the Baltic Sea all rely on targeted, demand-oriented purchasing from regional organic producers. Orders are not placed “for stock,” but rather according to capacity utilization. The result? Hardly any expired products in the pantries.

What can we learn from this?

• As we explained in our blog article on organic food, using (more expensive) organic products automatically leads to more conscious eating. Furthermore, you can eat the peel of organic products (if possible).
• Focus on seasonal products from your region (seasonal recipe calendars offer guidance).
• According to Hotel Klosterbräu, it is important to avoid prepared products because “this preserves complete ingredient cycles and enables the use of leftovers.”
• Shop with a list and plan your meals carefully. Consider meals that use “leftovers,” as well as breakfast and snacks, and plan realistic quantities. Don’t just tell yourself, “I’ll use it for something.”

Planning beats perfection—and buffets are not mandatory

Another lever against food waste: planning. And the courage to do things differently.

At the Canvas & Orchids Retreat in Cambodia, there is a set daily menu (i.e., no à la carte options). Meals are cooked using whatever is freshly available—creatively, seasonally, and with every part of the ingredients. This reduces waste and allows guests to experience sustainability through a culinary journey of discovery.

Another thing few hotels “dare” to do is offer flexible portion sizes. This means that the staff is trained to provide half portions (or second helpings) upon request. The Naturhotel Outside focuses on smaller portions. Any surplus food does not end up in the trash but rather at the afternoon buffet or with the employees. The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA operates similarly, using intelligent menu planning and adjusted portion sizes to prevent food waste from the outset.

The Hotel Luise in Erlangen is a real best practice example:
On average, only five grams of food waste per guest per meal are left over. This is made possible by smaller buffet plates that are refilled as needed. At the end of breakfast, staff ask guests specifically what else the guests would like. They then fetch a single slice of cheese from the kitchen instead of putting out another 20 slices.

For you at home:

• It’s better to replenish than to overfill. Unlike in a hotel, you won’t have the problem of not being able to serve food that has already been on the table. However, you should also make sure the food remains appetizing. No one wants rice mixed with sauces and other foods, but you can use leftover plain rice in many ways.
• You don’t need a huge selection or a something new every day. (It’s better to finish an open container of hummus or jam before opening something new.)

Leftovers become flavor — when creativity is part of the concept

“Leftover utilization” is a part of cooking as an art form, as well as a firm part of professional gastronomy.

• At the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, orange peels are made into syrup, stale bread is given to the sheep, and coffee grounds are used to fertilize flowers.
• The three South Tyrolean hotels, My Arbor, Hotel Weihrerhof, and OLM Nature Escape, transform vegetable peelings into stock and use stale bread to make dumplings or croutons.
• The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA uses leftovers to make soups, stews, and fresh salads.

The advice for you at home:

Learn how to cook creatively with leftovers. Our tips from the web:

• Zucker and Jagdwurst: This vegan food blog provides a straightforward list of recipes for everyday ingredients like rice, bread, and soft fruits.
• Familienkost also offers ideas for more unusual foods, such as asparagus and lemons, and has a search function for ingredients.
• Der Restegourmet is a sophisticated website and app for cooking with leftovers. It takes a little while to get used to, but it offers useful tips and recipes.

When food returns to the earth: Thinking circularity through to its logical conclusion

Food that can no longer be eaten does not have to be wasted. Many of our partners close the loop by composting.

• STURM composts all organic waste and uses the resulting soil in its snack garden.
• At the Naturresort Gerbehof, food waste is also converted into fertilizer through composting.
• The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA collaborates with ReFood, which collects cooking oil and food scraps from restaurants and transforms them into biodiesel, biogas, heat, and organic fertilizer.

The Hotel Korinjak on the Croatian island of Iz stands out in this regard. Here, food scraps are processed on site using a professional composting machine. The nutrient-rich compost is used in the hotel’s garden and given to guests as a small gift. “A gift from our little island to your gardens and plants at home,” they say.

“To us, cycles are systems that nature has always operated according to. We see ourselves as part of this natural rhythm.” – Hotel Korinjak

At home:

• Reheat and enjoy leftovers from the previous day (follow hygiene rules).
• Use the organic waste bin wisely. Plastic and meat scraps do not belong in it. In many places, this also includes “plastic” made from natural materials, such as corn starch.
• Make your own compost (you can even do this in a small container, with a worm bin, or with a bokashi on your apartment balcony).

Cooking Oil: The invisible food waste with massive consequences

One often-overlooked issue is used cooking oil. Frying and cooking fats should never be poured down the drain.

Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru, is an example of just how serious the consequences can be. There, the pollution of rivers by used cooking oil from restaurants in this popular tourist destination was so severe that it measurably deteriorated the water quality. In response, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel partnered with the community to build a facility that collects and processes cooking oil from restaurants, households, and local businesses into biodiesel. An environmentally friendly project that involves the local community.

How to properly dispose of cooking oil:

• Old cooking oil, frying fat, and similar substances belong in the residual waste bin. Small amounts can be wiped up with kitchen paper and disposed of in the residual waste bin.
• For larger amounts, allow the oil to cool, then place it in a well-sealed container. Dispose of the container in the residual waste or take it to special collection points in your region.

Circular Food only works when we work together

Whether it’s the Hotel Klosterbräu, Naturhotel Outside, SANDnature, or Hotel Luise, one thing is clear: circular thinking only works when employees and guests are involved. This also applies at home—to you, your family, and your guests. And it’s probably much easier here. “Would you like me to pack that up for you? Would you like to finish that?” Would you like to take some radishes from our garden with you?” Nowadays, even at weddings and other large celebrations, it’s becoming common for guests to bring containers so they can take home leftovers from the buffet.

Conclusion: Circular thinking begins in the mind

Our Green Pearls® demonstrate that a circular food system can work even under complex conditions. That’s why it’s clear that if it works there, it works here, too.

Households are responsible for the largest share of food waste, so they also have the greatest leverage for change. Circular thinking starts with a mindset of responsibility.

2030 is approaching. Let’s get started.

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Winter companions and uplifting scents

If you only know essential oils as “nice-smelling” feel-good aids, you’ll be surprised to learn that there’s a whole science behind these little bottles. It’s not conventional medicine, but it has a long tradition and is based on empirical knowledge and different worldviews.

For this article, I spoke with our sustainable hoteliers and learned that:

Essential oils are a staple of professional spas.

 

Here, you can learn a thing or two from the pros—from application techniques to fragrance combinations that calm, strengthen, or energize.

And for your information: All oil brand recommendations are purely informational. We do not receive any commission or benefits from them. They are based on the personal experience of our partner hoteliers or ourselves.

Essential oils: Tradition, healing approaches, and worldviews

Today, essential oils are used in a wide variety of contexts—from natural medicine and energy healing to spiritual rituals. That’s what makes them so exciting—everyone discovers something different in them. Some people enjoy them for their fragrance, some use them as a tool for emotional balance, while others incorporate them into a holistic lifestyle.

Connection with the four elements

Dr. Colomba Aura Romeo of ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges offers a unique perspective. She incorporates complementary medicine and herbal knowledge with the concept of the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.

She views essential oils as concentrated plant energies that have physical and energetic effects. The blends she creates are designed to release blockages and strengthen areas where we are “lacking” something.

Example: If you feel like you have too much air and not enough earth—meaning you’re restless, tense, or preoccupied—you can regain your footing with warm wood and root scents.

Practical tips and examples: How professionals use essential oils — and how you can use them at home

#1 Grounding & energetic stability: Root chakra oil

According to Far Eastern tradition, chakras are subtle energy centers in the body. At Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol, they use chakra oils from TEAM Dr. Joseph. These oils target specific chakras: the sacral, solar plexus, and root. The root chakra, located at the coccyx, represents stability, security, and belonging. The corresponding grounding blend contains vetiver, cypress, and frankincense. During spa treatments, such as the 80-minute Holistic Body & Face Ritual, one to two drops are applied to the chakra and gently massaged in.

How to use it at home:

 → If you are seeking calm, grounding, and inner stability, massage one drop into your tailbone.

#2 Regeneration after exercise and stress: Arnica and St. John’s wort

Essential oils play a central role at the energy-self-sufficient Aparthotel OLM Nature Escape. Many guests spend their days hiking through nature and relax in the evening in the apartment suites, which have private saunas and freestanding bathtubs. The arnica and St. John’s wort scents, classics for muscle regeneration, are particularly popular at OLM Nature Escape.

How to use it at home:
 → Mix a few drops with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, and massage into tense muscles. Ideal after sports or long workdays, or for relaxing your neck.

OLM Nature Escape emphasizes that they only use natural oils, such as certified natural cosmetics from Team Dr. Joseph and organic oils from Bergila. Bergila is also the preferred brand of SANDnature on the Baltic Sea, used in treatments and diffusers to create a calm, clear atmosphere.

#3 Forest feeling & vitality: Cedarwood and lemon

Here’s another tip from the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. This eco-friendly wellness hotel offers aromatic oil massages year-round, which are particularly atmospheric during the cold season.

• Cedarwood (grounding, warm, woodsy)
• Lemon (clear, fresh, energizing)

How to use it at home:
 → Try cedarwood in the diffuser in the evening.
 → Use lemon oil in the morning for an energy boost or while working from home.

#4 Relaxation & free breathing: Swiss stone pine, mountain pine, spruce, and lavender

The adults-only tree hotel My Arbor near Brixen uses fragrances from local plants – traditionally distilled by the (already mentioned) South Tyrolean family business Bergila. They recommend the scents of Swiss stone pine, mountain pine, spruce, and lavender, because these essences:

• calm
• ease breathing
• bring natural elements directly into the room

How to use it at home:
 → Add 2–3 drops to a diffuser or warm bath.

By the way, the Allgäu-based “Romantic Hideaway” Das Rübezahl also takes this approach, using essential oils in relaxation baths. The wellness hotel has diffusers in its spa area and offers aromatic oil massages.

#5 Cleansing, Smudging, and Purifying: Herbs and Essential Oils

At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, essential oils—including those from dōTERRA and Primavera—are used in conjunction with incense rituals. Herbs such as sage and other local plants are burned to “energetically clear” rooms.

How to use at home:
 → Carefully burn sage or other herbs, for example, in an incense burner.
 → Alternatively, gently vaporize essential oils in a bowl of water.

#6 Clarity & freshness: Mint, rosemary, lemongrass, and lime

Gut Sonnenhausen (located near Munich) is a sustainable hotel that is often booked for events and conferences. In addition to the historic building’s inspiring atmosphere and its location in the countryside, the conference rooms feature invigorating scents recommended by Gut Sonnenhausen’s naturopath:

• Mint & Rosemary → Concentration & Focus
• Lemongrass & Lime → Vitality & Positive Mood

Here’s another tip: immediately after the room has been cleaned, an “energy fragrance” is sprayed. It’s a ritual that guests love!

How to use at home:
 → After cleaning, spray a few drops of essential oil in the room. Use calming scents in the evening and energizing scents in the morning.
→ Place a diffuser at your workplace to enhance the atmosphere with appropriate scents.

The scents of vacation – and why they make us so happy

Finally, things become more intimate: scents evoke memories more quickly than photos do.

Island scents & herbal breezes – Hotel Korinjak, Croatia

The Hotel Korinjak on the island of Iž uses essential oils as part of its natural wellness philosophy. Massages, rituals, and gentle aromatherapy incorporate scents such as:

• Lavender
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Wild fennel
• Lemon balm

These scents come directly from the landscape—the dry, warm, aromatic air of Dalmatia.

„In a place where nature already smells so good, essential oils are not just a therapy—they are a continuation of what is already in the air.“ – Hotel Korinjak

Scents of the Andes, the Rainforest & Culture – Inkaterra Hotels, Peru

Each of the unique Inkaterra hotels in Peru has its own scent—tailored to nature, the region, and history:

• Monte Limón at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel: fresh, lemony, clarifying
• Palo Santo at Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco: calming, spiritually cleansing
• Broom flower (Retama) in the Sacred Valley (Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba): gentle, floral, grounding
• Sangapilla at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica: subtly sweet, tropical, close to nature

These scents accompany guests throughout Peru like a common thread — and often remain in their memories long after their trip. You can also take them home with you in the form of linen spray, cosmetics, or oil, which is why they stick with you.

Things to look out for when buying essential oils

All of our Green Pearls® partners prioritize the use of natural, high-quality, certified organic oils. Pure oils contain unadulterated plant ingredients, are free from synthetic additives, and provide a much more authentic effect. Additionally, by choosing organic products, you support sustainable agriculture, fair manufacturing processes, and mindful use of natural resources.

When buying essential oils for home use, look for labels such as “100% natural,” “certified organic,” “ecologically distilled,” or “natural cosmetic quality.” Quality is important not only for the fragrance but also for your well-being.

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At Green PearlsⓇ, we have over a decade of experience supporting sustainable accommodation providers with their communications, so we encounter this topic repeatedly. We are critical of the idea of offsetting CO₂ emissions simply by planting trees. After all, ‘planting trees’ can easily amount to greenwashing and is often used for this very purpose. “For every product purchased, we plant a tree” – who hasn’t heard this advertising slogan? At the same time, however, there are also meaningful long-term forest and ecosystem projects that can support biodiversity and climate resilience. As a traveller, you can support these projects with complete confidence.

But why tree-planting projects are often presented as a way to compensate for part of the emissions associated with travel?

Climate protection is now an issue in all areas of our lives — and almost every activity results in CO₂ emissions. Flying, in particular, generates several tons of greenhouse gases per person on a single long-haul flight, and these emissions are even more harmful to the climate when released at high altitudes. From winter 2025/26 onwards, passengers will be able to see these emissions for the first time thanks to the new Flight Emissions Label (FEL) from the European Commission. The aim is to make the climate impact of flights more transparent, even though participation by airlines is currently voluntary (which unfortunately demonstrates the power of the lobby in this area once again).

But what can you do if your trip causes a large amount of CO₂ emissions? Tree planting campaigns offer one solution: by absorbing CO₂ and releasing oxygen, trees are meant to offset the negative effects of travel. While this sounds straightforward, the actual climate impact depends heavily on how and where projects are implemented.

The problems with planting trees to offset emissions:

#1 The calculations

The explanation often given for why tree-planting projects are useful as part of broader climate mitigation efforts: “A tree absorbs X kilograms of CO₂.” However, such calculations only apply to mature trees (for example, a 35-metre-high spruce stores around 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ during its 100-year life cycle). However, compensation projects usually involve planting seedlings that take decades to reach a stage where they can store significant amounts of CO₂.

#2 Lack of care

Time and again, it has been shown that compensation planting campaigns result in a seedling being placed in the ground and then left to fend for itself. Without proper care, the saplings dry up, get eaten by animals, or die. Therefore, there is no guarantee that a seedling will grow into a tree.

#3 Individual trees instead of ecosystems

Another study shows that, in theory, such maintenance would be unnecessary. However, this works only if we protect functioning ecosystems instead of creating monoculture plantations. The study shows that many researchers argue that protecting intact ecosystems can provide broader long-term environmental benefits than isolated tree-planting campaigns.

#4 Whether projects create measurable additional climate benefits beyond what would have happened anyway

However, when it comes to protecting existing forest projects, climate partners describe the difficulty of guaranteeing that the protection will bind ADDITIONAL emissions caused by travel. In other words, the forest already exists, but those who want to offset emissions demand a NEW positive effect on the climate.

#5 Forest fires

Climate change worsens the risk: wildfires increasingly threaten forests. When fires break out, they release CO₂ that took years to store. As a result, the climate benefits associated with reforestation projects can be reduced or reversed by wildfires and extreme weather events.

#5 Wrong tree species, wrong areas

In 2024, The Guardian revealed that reforestation projects had targeted African savannas, even though forests do not naturally grow there. Scientists warn that this will potentially disrupt existing ecosystems and biodiversity. Similarly, ecologists criticize eucalyptus farms in Brazil because eucalyptus is not a native species there.

#6 Displacement of people

Displacement for projects promoted as climate or environmental initiatives is particularly problematic. In Uganda, for instance, a whole region lost its land to a forestry company that advertised “climate protection through reforestation.” Around 10,000 people were forcibly displaced.

“In my experience, tree planting often borders on greenwashing. I think social projects that directly help people are better.” —Stefany Seipp, Managing Director of Green PearlsⓇ Unique Places

Is planting trees for climate purposes a bad thing?

No, you can’t say that across the board. Trees are essential for our planet, and therefore, for our survival. However, some tree-planting campaigns are criticized for focusing more on marketing claims than on measurable long-term environmental impact and, in the worst case, they can even cause more harm than good. A commentary on The Conversation sums it up as follows: “Corporate tree planting primarily creates a positive image, but it can actually harm the planet and local communities if it is done without considering existing conditions.”

How can we identify greenwashing in the context of “planting trees for the climate”?

As a consumer, you have more power than you might realize. CO₂ compensation offers exist because there is demand for them. This makes it all the more important to take a close look:

• Ask questions: Where are the trees being planted? What types of trees? Who is responsible for their care?
• Demand transparency: Reputable projects openly answer these questions, often without you having to ask, e.g., on their website. Greenwashing campaigns usually fall silent quickly.
• Think holistically: Don’t just consider “one tree per night,” but also everything else involved. Does your chosen accommodation promote sustainability in other ways? Is the tree-planting campaign part of a comprehensive strategy, or is it the only measure? We prefer projects that focus on climate, people, and biodiversity simultaneously. A well-thought-out tree planting measure can certainly fit the bill!

Travel blogger Julia Lassner (Globusliebe) sums it up perfectly:

“I always ask where the trees will be planted and if they will be cared for properly. Most of the time, I don’t receive an answer, and suddenly, there’s no more interest in working together. This quickly shows me which companies are being honest and which are just greenwashing.” —Julia from Globusliebe

How hotels with comprehensive environmental and resource-conscious strategies approach the topic of “planting trees”

CO₂ offsetting is a major issue for our Green Pearls® accommodations. There is one point on which all agree: prevention is better than compensation.

Avoiding CO₂ instead of sugarcoating it

Alessa Konrad, from the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, is often contacted by companies looking to sell CO₂ offset projects. Her response is always the same:

„As an environmentally certified nature hotel, we are committed to sustainability and resource conservation, but our approach goes beyond planting trees. We implement measures directly in the hotel and share them with our guests. These measures include free pick-up from the train station for guests arriving by public transportation, regional shopping, eliminating disposable products such as bath slippers, using energy-efficient technologies in the wellness area, and maximizing our PV system.“

The approach is clear: first and foremost, emissions should be avoided where they arise. This applies not only to hotels but also to travelers themselves. For example, it is better to travel by train than by plane, to rent a suitcase than to buy a new one, and to stay in a sustainable hotel than in a hotel from an international chain.

Marion Muller from the North German hotel association SANDcollection says that they are always mindful of the companies they support at their sustainable Lifestylehotels, SANDnature, and SANDglow. These include MyBoo bamboo bicycles for rent, Samova tea for breakfast, and climate-neutral, recycled toilet paper from Green Hygiene. Incidentally, the latter’s “climate neutrality” is achieved through solar energy, both its own and that promoted by Climate Partner, rather than through trees.

Successful forest projects—when they are properly planned and executed

However, criticism of “planting trees for the climate” does not mean a complete rejection of the idea. In fact, some Green PearlsⓇ hotels have launched impressive projects that promote biodiversity and strengthen ecosystems.

Primordial cloud forest in the Peruvian Andes

One of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s signature projects is its cloud forest initiative. When the hotel’s founder, José Koechlin, acquired the property in the 1980s, the former cloud forest had already been cleared and converted into agricultural land. Rather than accepting this, Koechlin began gradually restoring the original forest around the hotel.

Today, around 30 years later, guests can witness the results of this pioneering work firsthand: orchids, butterflies, and rare bird species such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock. Machu Picchu was recognized in 2017 as part of a broader climate and sustainability initiative

What makes it special: The focus has always been on a genuine, long-term commitment to nature and biodiversity, not quick CO2 compensation.

Planting a forests right outside one’s doorstep

Many European hotels are also focusing on reforestation and forest protection—directly at their own accommodations. However, this is not necessarily a compensation measure; rather, it is hands-on nature conservation: 

• Gut Sonnenhausen, Bavaria
  

  Several years ago, the hotel planted around 400 trees and over 10,000 shrubs along its mountain trail. Today, guests, employees, and wildlife alike enjoy the increased diversity of flora.

• Naturresort Gerbehof, Lake Constance
  

  The organic hotel near Friedrichshafen is surrounded by its own forest. The hotel uses the wood for its own furniture, among other things, while dead wood and wood infested with beetles are used to generate energy. There is also a forest rest area for wild animals. Hostess Ursula Wagner criticizes the practice of using trees purely for CO₂ compensation: “There’s a lot of greenwashing in this area.”

• OLM Nature Escape, South Tirol
  

  Rather than planting trees elsewhere, OLM has created its own wild garden with biotope plants, including old regional fruit tree species. “For us, real climate protection is about quality, not quantity. We take responsibility locally instead of relying on distant projects,” says Astrid Hellweger, the host.

• My Arbor, South Tirol
  

  As a “tree hotel,” My Arbor is a sustainable wellness hotel closely connected to the forest. New trees, such as spruce, Swiss stone pine, fir, and larch, are regularly planted around the hotel. This process binds CO₂ and strengthens biodiversity, preserving the forest. Spruce trees are also part of the ecosystem. Host Alexandra Huber explains, “The problem is that spruce trees are susceptible to bark beetles, which sometimes destroy entire slopes. That’s exactly why we’re trying to replant them.”

• Hotel Klosterbräu, Tirol
  

  In addition to its own forest, which provides wood for the nature rooms, for example, the hotel launched a new project in 2025. Together with guests, 300 apple trees were planted on the parish hill. Once the fruit is ready, it will be used in the hotel for everything from apple strudel to animal feed for the hotel’s petting zoo.

A forest in the middle of the city

The Hotel Luise in Erlangen proves that forest projects can be established in urban areas as well. A microforest with over 200 trees was created there, designed according to ecological principles with varying plant heights that function together like a real forest.

Laura Heufelder from the hotel explains:

“Our microforest improves the microclimate and has become a paradise for birds, insects, and small animals. However, our primary goal is to reduce operational emissions as much as possible. We only offset unavoidable CO2 as a last resort. This approach benefits the environment and the economy, as it creates jobs.”

Protect and enjoy your own forest

Not all sustainable hotels plant new trees—some protect the surrounding forest and allow guests to experience it in a unique way.

Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel , South Tyrol

The Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters in the heart of the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park, which is protected by UNESCO, on the Seiser Alm. In this sensitive environment, nature conservation is paramount. To minimize traffic pollution, guests are only allowed to drive their cars on arrival and departure days. During their stay, cars must remain in the parking lot.

The hotel provides a special transit permit for this purpose, which park rangers check. This ensures that the alpine nature is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Hotel Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa, Bavaria

The adjacent forest is also a focal point at the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain. Guests can experience it through mindful forest bathing, which promotes relaxation and a new awareness of nature. The experience is enhanced by a herb garden and a “green wall” at the buffet where guests can harvest fresh herbs.

The goal is not to offset CO₂, but to bring nature to life, appreciate its resources, and bring a piece of nature into guests’ everyday lives.

Overnight stays supported by certified climate compensation projects

A special case in our network is the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb. Stephan Bode’s establishment is considered a pioneer in sustainable hospitality. Its gold organic certification, zero-waste breakfast buffet, and hotel rooms made from 100% recyclable materials (“circular living”) set new standards.

However, not all emissions can be avoided here either. To offer “climate-neutral overnight stays” and “climate-neutral conferences,” the hotel works with ClimatePartner. The principle remains clear: reduce before compensating. However, unavoidable emissions are transparently offset – among other things, through two forest projects that are part of a larger portfolio of 20 recognized climate protection initiatives.

According to SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA and ClimatePartner, projects contributed to reducing, avoiding or compensating 5,710 tons of CO₂₂ and collected 6,010 kilograms of plastic. Additionally, 112 trees were planted in 2023 and 2025, both in Germany and internationally, as part of a comprehensive climate protection initiative.

FAQs and Tips: Contribute to climate mitigation efforts caused by travel through tree planting

Is planting trees an effective way to offset CO2 emissions?

Yes and no. It only makes sense if it is well thought out, appropriate for the location, and designed for the long term. Many projects fail due to a lack of maintenance or because they serve marketing purposes more than climate protection purposes. To really make a difference, you should primarily avoid emissions and offset unavoidable emissions through recognized climate protection projects (not necessarily tree planting).

How can I spot greenwashing?

Be skeptical of promises such as “one tree for every tube of toothpaste sold.” Ask questions: Where are the trees planted? Who takes care of them? Reputable companies answer these questions transparently, companies using vague environmental marketing claims not.

How can I get involved?

• Ask questions: Feel free to email companies that advertise tree-planting campaigns.
• Plant locally: Plant trees in your own neighborhood so that you can take care of them yourself or at least see the results.
• Consume mindfully: As Ursula Wagner from Naturresort Gerbehof emphasizes, “Everyone should pay attention to the environment and nature in their daily lives. Does the light always have to be on? Do I need products like avocados, which require huge amounts of water?” Being mindful in everyday life often saves more CO₂ than symbolic planting campaigns.
• Think creatively: Fabienne Anhamatten from the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt provides a good example. She didn’t dispose of her Christmas tree, but rather planted it in the spring, allowing it to remain part of the cycle.

In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that genuine climate protection while traveling begins with making many small, mindful decisions along the way, not with planting a tree.

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However, beside the government also further organizations and people work on site keeping Machu Picchu and the associated village Aguas Calientes (also known as a Machu Picchu Pueblo) living off tourism, clean, by minimizing the effects of tourism on nature and the cultural heritage. These include Inkaterra, a group running small eco hotels in Peru and also onsite. Since a long time, they are involved in sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism and the conservation of culture at the Machu Picchu. For this Inkaterra and the Inkaterra Asociación (ITA) work together with the AJE Group (a multinational beverage company in Peruvian family ownership). We show you three special initiatives benefiting the whole area.

1. Biodiesel Plant

The plant was put into operation in the middle of 2017 and since then processes burnt vegetable oil to biodiesel. One aim is to prevent the soiling of the Vilcanota river running through the village. According to studies 1 liter of burnt oil contaminates 1,000 liters of water – however, for a long time 90% of the local residents and companies poured unfiltered oil in the river. In a time-consuming process the oil is separated from water and sediments and afterwards filled in the plant where it is mixed with two chemicals and heated, the result is biodiesel and glycerin: the glycerin is used for washing and cleaning, the biodiesel, for example, for cars. Inkaterra encourages all local residents to donate their used oil to hotels and restaurants. However, this is anything but easy as the delivery is of course voluntary. When staying at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel of Inkaterra you can visit the Biodiesel Plant onsite.

2. PET Waste Compacting Plant

Many tourists visiting the Machu Picchu daily, unfortunately leave a lot of plastic garbage behind. The waste compacting plant was the first joint project of the ITA and AJE end of 2016. The plant can process daily up to 14 tons of rubbish which is then transported by rail to the recycling plants. A great initiative, but in the future, it is essential that plastic garbage is drastically reduced. Till then this initiative is of great importance for the waste management of the world heritage site and to maintain the UNESCO-Status.

3. Organic Waste Processing Plant

This is the newest initiative of Inkaterra, AJE and the municipality of Machu Picchu Pueblo: the organic waste processing plant can convert daily seven tons of waste with the help of pyrolysis (chemical decay at high temperatures in absence of oxygen) to bio-coal. Thus, originates a natural fertilizer which can be used for the reforestation of the Andinen “Cloud Forest” around Machu Picchu as well as for the support of the local agriculture. Among the rest, the bio-coal is used by the Nationwide Service of Natural areas protected by the State (SERNANP) for the plantation of a million trees in the area surrounding the Machu Picchu.  

We are proud our partner Inkaterra lead the way with these initiatives and exerts itself for the protection and preservation of the World wonders. Tourists have to develop a stronger conscience and interest and contribute their part – whether by renunciation of plastic bottles, abide by the rules for visitors (e.g., do not climb the stones, observe the markings) or by the support of sustainable initiatives, shops and hotels on site.

Searching for tips to travel sustainable? We have put together 10 tips for you:

Responsible traveling: 10 eco-friendly tips – part 1

Responsible traveling: 10 eco-friendly tips – part 2

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Der Beitrag Machu Picchu: Inkaterra’s initiatives for the protection of the threatened world cultural heritage erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Watching birds – and protecting them

In Peru, more than 1,800 bird species are registered; that is approximately 20 % of all bird species worldwide. Here, the Inkaterra Asociación is dedicated to the study and conservation of the local Flora and Fauna. On the huge property of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, 214 different bird species live in their natural habitat, the property of Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica even counts 540 species. On different tours, each accompanied by a specialist in bird and nature observation, you can watch local birds, such as the blazing red Cock-of-the-Rock, and various kinds of migratory birds. And as Inkaterra Asociación is financed by tourism-activities, you also contribute to the conservation of this colorful variety.

It couldn’t be greener: vacations in the jungle

A natural retreat

Other hotels, too, are committed to the protection of local nature. For example, during the construction of the Morena Eco Resort on Curaçao, 80 % of the natural vegetation on the ample property has been preserved. Numerous tropical birds and other native animal species visit Morena Eco Resort from the adjoining nature reserve. The situation is similar at Tongsai Bay on Koh Samui: the resort is surrounded by 28,5 acres of natural landscape, which is home to more than 60 different species of bird. Here, they can feel at ease, as Tongsai Bay attaches great importance to the protection of their natural habitat and provides medical treatment if sick or injured animals are found.

Where birds are welcome

The bird-friendly resort Coconut Lagoon has installed nest-boxes on branches of trees around its property to provide nesting facilities for local birds such as Magpie Robin or Common Myna. There are countless birds in the garden of Coconut Lagoon that do not only fascinate by their appearance but also by their extraordinary names: among others the Red-vented Bulbul, Purple-rumped sunbird, Crow-Pheasant and Black-headed Oriole have their homes here. Wetland birds are very active in the canals and the paddy-fields of the Coconut Lagoon. Naturalists will accompany you on your walks and provide you with details on the flora and fauna of the region.

Spectacular terrace view

From the restaurant terrace of Amaya Hunas Falls in Sri Lanka, with a bit of luck you can watch majestic birds such as the White Bellied Sea Eagle. The hotel is also a perfect starting point for trips to two amazing bird-watching destinations: Horton Plains National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Peradeniya Royal Botancial Gardens, Sri Lanka’s largest botanical garden.

Chance meetings and planned ones

You can usually look forward to encounters with some feathered friends when you stay at a hotel close to nature. And if you want to benefit from expert knowledge, it’s always worth taking a look at the hotel’s events calendar. For example, the Swiss hotel Schloss Wartegg offers a tour accompanied by the bird-watching expert Gieri Battaglia on April 28^th, 2018. And if you book a room facing the forest next to Schloss Wartegg, you can be sure of an early morning bird concert.

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Der Beitrag Of songbirds and feathered friends erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.