Hacienda San Jose, a Sustainable Destination

During the 1920’s, southeastern Mexico was home to a booming henequen (sisal) industry. The export of the fiber extracted from the henequen plant was the most important economic activity in the region. At the heart of this booming economy were the properties and henequen fields that not only became the production centers for this new product but also the haciendas or plantations, which offered work, housing, schools and in some cases, even hospitals to their residents. Their architecture was magnificent, designed by famous European architects, and the investment in the communities where they were located was made with the prospect of a never-ending stream of wealth.

These henequen plantations – the haciendas - represent an important part of the history of the Yucatan peninsula. The wealth that these haciendas provided through the cultivation and harvest of the so-called “green gold” was similar to the Silicon Valley boom in modern times, while the social and economic aspects remained firmly entrenched in the feudal systems of old Europe, where the workers depended completely on the goods and services provided by the hacienda owners.

Today, the plantations run by Las Haciendas, have been converted into successful operations, respectful of the local Mayan communities and of the environment that surround them, preserving their magnificent architectural heritage that speaks of another time.

Our vision

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.

In our quest to create a successful sustainable tourism project in the Yucatan Peninsula we looked foremost to rescuing the magnificent henequen haciendas and bring their architectural splendor to the attention of the most discriminating traveler by inviting him or her to share with us their exciting history and cultural value in the region. This has permitted us to become catalysts for economic growth and social development in the rural Mayan communities of Yucatan and Campeche.

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.

The Haciendas del Mundo Maya A.C. 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 foundations 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 in the following areas:

1. Health; promoting traditional Mayan herbalist medicine 

2. Educational Development

3. Personal and Family Development

4. Housing Improvement with the active participation of the direct beneficiaries

5. Environment

6. Community Business Promotion

Description - Hacienda San José

Located only 35 minutes from Merida’s international airport, the Hacienda San Jose is an emblematic construction from the 18th century where even now, after an extensive restoration, one can admire its original sky-blue façade, exquisite decoration and the murals in its chapel.

It is an ideal oasis to return to after visiting such attractions as the caves at Balancanche, the yellow city of Izamal, the Dzitnup cenote or the mythical pyramids of Chichen Itza. The hacienda features 15 rooms, of which the Casa Maya,or Mayan House, is the most representative of this property.

All guest rooms feature high ceilings and exposed wooden beams, along with antique tile floors and doors. In each room there is a hammock so that guests can sleep Mayan style. For those guests who want to enjoy a more authentic Mayan experience, the Mayan Villas are ideal as they combine Mayan-influenced architecture with modern conveniences that will surely exceed the expectations of the sophisticated traveler.

Guest room amenities are handmade the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation artisans. Specialty body lotions, conditioners and shampoos contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber.

In-room guest amenities:

Ø  No smoking rooms

Ø  Internet

Ø  Scale

Ø  Hair dryer

Ø  32” LCD television

Ø  1 king-size or 2 queen size beds

Ø  Egyptian cotton sheets

Ø  Goose-down pillows

Ø  Minibar

Ø  Telephone

Ø  Ipod Docking station and alarm clock

Ø  Wi-Fi

Ø  Air conditioning

Ø  Ceiling fan

Ø  In-room safe                           

Sustainable Tourism

As a sustainable tourism destination, the Hacienda San José is faced with the ongoing challenge of minimizing its ecological footprint through actions which protect and preserve the environment.

To honor this commitment, our efforts in the area of environmental responsibility have focused on:

1. Measurement and minimization of energy consumption.
2. Measurement and minimization of potable water usage.
3. Measurement and adequate handling of waste water.
4. Measurement and minimization of solid waste (inorganic and organic).
5. Adequate handling of dangerous substances and waste.
6. Preservation and cataloguing of flora on the property.

2010 Results

• We offer our guests tours of our nursery and garden. The Hacienda garden and nursery staff accompany guests throughout the tour, sharing their experience and knowledge of the properties of each plant as well as its usage and name in the Mayan culture and language.
• We now have a small sample of 5 species of orchids in our orchid garden; these are native to the forest and jungles of the Yucatan.
•  We have an extensive and detailed inventory of the indigenous flora at the Hacienda.
• We have noticed a return to the area of local fauna. This is due to the fact that Hacienda San Jose has set aside extensive areas for the preservation of the indigenous flora and fauna.
• Through water conservation techniques, we have documented a decrease in water consumption from 2009 to 2010 of 1922 cubic meters.
• Electricity usage has also seen a decrease from 2009 to 2010; records show 22,610 KWh less which translates to 74,436 fewer metric tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere during that time.

Our community work is done in coordination with the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation.

Promotion of 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, and equipment; assistance is also provided to locate markets.

Goals:

1. Profitability of the cooperatives.
2. Social and economic improvement for the members of the cooperative.
3. Business management of the undertaking to be taken over by cooperative members.
4. Administrative management of agricultural enterprises to be assumed by cooperatives.

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.

Through the creation of the spa cooperative as a local business, the San Jose group has obtained the following results:

·         397 spa services were provided in 2010

·         A monthly income of $3600 pesos was generated

·         Medical coverage through the government social security program (IMSS) was assured for members as a result of the cooperatives formation

Centro Cultural Izamal – Izamal Cultural Center

Spa - Museum – Mayan Artisan Boutique

The Izamal Cultural Center is administered by a cooperative of young Izamal entrepreneurs. As part of the commitment to local communities the Hacienda San Jose provides training programs for to this group of young women and men.

With the importance that Mexican popular art has reached both on the national and international stage, the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation, in conjunction with the Fomento Cultural Banamex foundation, has made it possible to have the Great Masters of Popular Art collection on display in the Izamal Cultural Center.

In the rear portion of the Izamal Cultural Center property, is an ongoing restoration project, under the auspices of the INAH (Insituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia / National Institute of Anthropology and History) which seeks to restore the Mayan pyramid of Kabul. Financing for this project is provided by the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation.

The Mayan Artisans Boutique “Taller Maya” brings together Mayan artisans who, together with contemporary designers create original products that revive traditional techniques and materials. Thanks to the sale of these pieces, the artisans receive an income with which they support their families.

www.centroculturalizamal.org

Buying Locally and Supporting Community Business

Many of the products used in our hotel facilities are made in the foundations’ community workshops; from the soaps to the decorations in the restaurant, guest rooms and bathroom areas. We invite you to continue to support our ‘buy local’ policy, shopping in local businesses, eating in the hotel restaurant and purchasing handcrafts and art in the hacienda boutique.

On our website www.haciendasmundomaya.com you can read more on the artisans and their workshops. At www.tallermaya.org you may purchase many of the products we offer.

We now have a nursery where ornamental plants, local wood varieties, as well as vegetables, greens and herbs for use in the hotel restaurant are grown. Many of the items on the menu offer guests the opportunity to sample exquisite dishes featuring local fruit and vegetables, harvested fresh each day.