Travel better thanks to Circular Economy
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Whether you’re looking for your next vacation destination in Quebec or tourist accommodations that want to adopt more sustainable practices, you can make eco-friendly choices and contribute to a circular economy.
It’s an economic model that rethinks the way we produce and consume to reduce the use of resources and optimize the resources already in circulation, thus limiting the environmental impact.
Find out about some inspiring initiatives and rethink the way you travel.
Sustainable tourism and circular economy: a collective commitment
Every year, Quebec tourist accommodations welcome thousands of visitors.
These establishments play a key role in innovating in the circular economy and encouraging more sustainable practices.
A winning collaboration for the environment
RECYC-QUÉBEC and the ministère du Tourisme have joined forces to support tourist accommodations in their transition to the circular economy.
This showcase project has allowed us to experiment with implementing best practices and to provide convincing and inspiring examples to encourage this sector’s transformation towards a circular economy.
For over two years, 13 establishments received training and tailored support for the aim of reducing waste and optimizing the use of resources.
Waste management consultant Stratzer and the Centre de transfert technologique en écologie industrielle advised on the project and provided their expertise to support the accommodation establishments in assessing their practices, develop an action plan and implement tangible solutions.
In addition, the Association Hôtellerie du Québec plays a key role in facilitating communication with the establishments and expanding the project’s outreach.
Watch this video to learn more about the project.
Sustainable tourist accommodations
The results speak for themselves—these accommodations prove that it’s possible to transform the tourism industry by making it more circular and sustainable, and without compromising the quality of the customer experience, while saving money.
The circular approach means that accommodation establishments need to innovate and stand out from the crowd. Initiatives such as banning single-use products, turning to urban farming to supply restaurant kitchens, refurbishing furniture, recycling used textile or recovering rainwater are some of the tangible measures put into place by the establishments to reduce waste and maximize the use of resources available.
Find out about their achievements.
| Hôtel Château Laurier Québec (Capitale-Nationale) | Hôtel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix (Capitale-Nationale) |
| Auberge Saintlo (Montréal) | Hôtel Ruby Foo’s (Montréal) |
| Hôtel La Libertad (Bas-Saint-Laurent) | Manoir Belle Plage (Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine) |
| Auberge des 21 (Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean) | Hôtel Albert par G5 (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) |
| Hôtel Centre-Ville (Chaudière-Appalaches) | Hôtel Mortagne (Montérégie) |
| Auberge du Lac Taureau (Lanaudière) | Excelsior Hôtel Spa Sainte-Adèle (Laurentides) |
| La Cache du Golf (Chaudière-Appalaches) |
Join the circular economy movement
Everyone can pitch in to make tourism more sustainable, whether you’re a traveller or an accommodation services manager.
Here are a few tips for adopting sustainable practices.
Travel sustainably
When you’re planning a trip, look for accommodations that are committed to a sustainable approach.
When booking your stay, enquire about their sustainable initiatives:
- Are there bins for recyclable and compostable material?
- Do they use local and seasonal products?
- Are bulk soap/shampoo/conditioner dispensers in use?
- What else are they doing to reduce their environmental impact?
Transform your tourist accommodations
Do you manage accommodation services and want to adopt more sustainable practices? Get inspired by circular economy initiatives implemented by accommodation establishments and get involved in this transition.
- Consult the Report of best practices in the circular economy in the tourist accommodation sector (PDF, 1.6 MB) (in French), which lists and documents the practices adopted by around fifty tourist accommodations in Quebec, Canada and internationally.
- Keep an eye out for our practical tools to support you in this endeavour.
A more sustainable tourism is within our reach.
Together, we can travel better thanks to circular economy!