The Haciendas project demonstrates an important alternative of tourism development in Mexico, and its worldwide recognition for implementing best tourism practices has inspired other countries and companies to follow the path of sustainable tourism. It is a message, we all can be part for helping tourism to reach its full potential and make the world a better place for future generations.
Christ Costas
Global Travel Editor, National Geographic Adventure Chairman,
World Travel and Tourism Council - Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Introduction:
Our goal is sustainable development for the Mayan communities and their environment. We encourage this by promoting conscientious tourism, whereby visitors to the Yucatan peninsula will contribute to the realization of this goal.
We offer unique experiences that permit visitors to learn about the natural biodiversity of the Yucatan Peninsula, its archeology and the rich culture of the Maya.
Community Activities:
The community work and programs that we offer are realized in conjunction with our foundation, Haciendas del Mundo Maya, A.C. which works directly with the communities in the following areas:
· Educational Development
· Health; promoting traditional Mayan herbalist medicine
· Infrastructure and Housing
· Environmental Conservation
· Promoting Community Business
The Haciendas – A Community Development Project:
The story of our social and environmental commitment to Mexico began over 15 years ago, when we focused our gaze on the crumbling henequen haciendas or plantations, their former glory faded by years of neglect and the ravages of time, who now stood as mute witnesses to the precarious living conditions present in the many indigenous communities surrounding them.
In 1994 we acquired Hacienda Temozon and our social and environmental commitment to the region was born.
We strive to act as the link between the past and present in what is now called the Mundo Maya, or Mayan world, attempting to generate new opportunities for individual growth along with improved social conditions for the inhabitants of the communities that surround our hotels. In this way we contribute to finding a balance between preserving the environment, maintaining and encouraging the rich cultural values of the Maya, improving the well-being of the population and achieving sustainable development that will result in economic growth.
Social and Cultural Responsibility:
Our goal, which was the creation of a hotel project model as the focal point through which to promote the development of the rural Mayan communities in the haciendas, contemplated several different stages that had to be completed in order to meet the demands of travelers with a high degree of cultural and social sensitivity.
The Restoration of The Haciendas:
To make this ambitious dream a reality, the restoration of the haciendas was composed of several components, many of which reflected the philosophy behind the project:
A team of experts was assembled, including architects specializing in historical and documentary investigation, along with architects and engineers familiar with the restoration process, in order to design a project based on careful analysis of the ruined buildings on site. Materials used in this stage include documentation from universities, photo archives and other specialized sources.
Our architectural proposal included using original materials native to the area which would be familiar to the local population. This enabled us to learn from people in the community about the characteristics of these materials and how to work with them. The use of sahcab, a construction material similar to crushed limestone; mineral paints and chucum (the bark of the chucum tree is boiled to extract a resin which was then used by the Mayans as a natural sealant) are a few examples of the integration and cultural sensitivity that guided the original project.
When the time came to hire workers, it was a priority to include members of the surrounding communities, thereby promoting job creation and skills training. Of particular interest was the fact that the younger members of the community, who were accustomed to seeking work elsewhere for lack of opportunities in their small villages, became involved in the project and we were able to see entire families return to their communities. Small, neighborhood grocery stores sprang up and as the project advanced, we perceived distinct signs that there was a resurgence in the local village economy, as evidenced by an increase in the number of homes inhabited (many had been abandoned) and the improved conditions of many of these, along with an increase in the number of children attending school.
Operation of The Haciendas:
To provide the hotel with its staff, a dedicated training program was implemented for the members of the surrounding communities and from this talented and enthusiastic pool we were able to staff the hotel with waiters, cooks, housekeepers, gardeners, etc. Together we were able to reach our goal of service excellence, while maintaining the principles and values predominant in the Mayan culture. This initial effort paved the way for continued hiring and training programs that have resulted in close to 90% of all jobs created by The Haciendas being held by members of the communities immediately around each hotel.
· Hacienda Uayamon, featuring 12 exquisitely elegant villas.
· Hacienda Temozón, with 28 guest rooms, some of which are suites with a private plunge pool.
· Hacienda Santa Rosa, with 11 guest rooms decorated in a romantic, 19th century style.
· Hacienda Puerta Campeche, offering 15 guest rooms in original buildings that provide an authentic feel of the past, with the comfort of modern amenities. Located at the historic entry point to the old city of Campeche (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) known as Puerta de Tierra.
· Hacienda San Jose, featuring 15 guest rooms, 4 of them traditional Mayan houses with hanging beds and an indoor plunge pool
The Haciendas del Mundo Maya Foundation:
In 2002, after the devastating destruction caused by hurricane Isidore throughout the Yucatan peninsula, our ongoing social commitment was strengthened with the creation of the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation (Fundacion Haciendas del Mundo Maya, A.C.). A non-profit institution, its mission was to generate micro-regional, sustainable development in the rural Mayan communities of the Yucatan peninsula which would enable them to improve both their quality of life and living conditions through cultural development and tourism. An important aspect of the foundation’s mission was to involve locals directly by having them actively participate in the promotion of their social welfare projects.
Based on initiatives proposed by each community and with the interdisciplinary team from the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation, we encouraged members of each community to become involved with the design and execution of sustainable development projects that would directly impact them.
Health – Rescuing Traditional Mayan Medicine:
We focused on rescuing traditional Mayan herbalist medicine and practices as an immediate and inexpensive resource for primary medical attention. As access to regular medical facilities and services is extremely limited in many of these communities due to the distances involved in reaching them, this alternative has been very successful.
Education:
Upon finding deficient levels of education in the communities, libraries were established to support children and youths by introducing them to reading. These libraries are also centers for the rescue and promotion of the Mayan culture and language, for improving cognitive abilities, sports activities and for English classes. As well, adult education classes including reading, writing and grade equivalency and regularization are implemented.
Infrastructure and Housing:
One of the priorities for the inhabitants of the communities is the improvement of their homes. A housing program was designed in which local families are grouped together to undertake home improvement or construction projects. These groups provide the labor; do follow-up and evaluation once the project is complete, while the foundation provides building materials. Engineers are brought in to supervise the process from the design stage to final completion, to ensure that the project complies with structural standards and requirements.
Promoting Community Businesses:
We work in coordination with community groups to support initiatives designed to generate income for the member families and promote the creation of micro businesses in the form of sustainable cooperatives with a special focus on gender. In addition, we help them in obtaining financing, also providing a portion of the funds needed for training, tools, equipment, and certification; assistance is also provided by the foundation to locate markets or buyers that will provide a fair price for their work.
Artisans Workshops:
We provide training for 230 artisans from 28 workshops in 12 communities. Once the cooperatives are set up, we provide follow-up during the production, quality assurance, administration and commercialization processes as well as supporting fair trade practices for their products. These fine crafts come from the talented hands of women - entrepreneurs and renowned designers – who craft unique pieces of art that combine traditional Mayan techniques and materials with cutting edge design.
Spa:
The Spa therapists program is the result of the search for new opportunities of development for women in the communities. The Haciendas created designated areas in each property in which local therapists work, permitting the creation of a cooperative which in turn provides spa services to the hotels.
One of the unique characteristics of the Spa is its therapists, who have inherited an ancient Mayan technique known as “sobada” and have the power to heal through their hands. This knowledge is being transmitted from these therapists to the younger women of their communities, who not only learn these ancestral skills but also see their value and application in the modern world. The skills that these women possess allow guests to experience a truly unique and magical escape through a combination of peaceful, spiritual rest and the ancient healing traditions of the Maya.
Preservation of the Environment and Natural Resources:
Our objective is to promote sustainable development within the community to both preserve the environment and take responsible advantage of its natural resources.
We create campaigns designed to raise consciousness about the environment as well as its cleanup. These campaigns include presentations to the community and actions that encourage the proper handling of waste; separation of organic and non-organic garbage as well as reforestation projects in all participating communities.
Contact us:
Mosaicos con fotos de las unidades de negocio con contacto telefonico y pagina web:
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Awards:
Silver Certification, Earth Check
“Global Visión Award” - 2010 - Travel and Leisure - in the category Artisan Revival for The Haciendas efforts in promoting architectural, cultural and artisans revival in the Yucatan Peninsula
“World Saver’s Award” – 2009 - Conde Nast Traveler
“Best Employers México” - 2007‐2008 - Hewitt
“TO DO!” – 2007 - Worldwide International Tourism Exchange (ITB) Fair, Berlín, Germany
“Investor in People Award” – 2005 - World Travel and Tourism Council, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
