Hacienda Temozon, a Sustainable Destination

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, Grupo Plan 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 Temozon

With 28 guest rooms, this hacienda is located on the Yucatan peninsula, only 35 minutes from Merida’s international airport. Originally a henequen producing plantation, Temozon was one of the region’s most prosperous haciendas during the middle of the 19th century.

Some of the many attractions awaiting the visitor to the hacienda include cenotes, caves, colonial towns and cities and archeological sites like Uxmal and Kabah.

The guest rooms and suites are located in the original building which has been completely restored and adapted to the needs of the hotel. All guest rooms are named after the original function of that particular room; for example there is La Farmacia (the Pharmacy), La Escuela (the School), and La Cocina (the Kitchen). Each guest room measures approximately 45 m2 and each suite 55m2. All guest rooms and suites have hammocks which allow guests to sleep Mayan style.

Some of the guest room amenities are hand made by Mayan artisans from the community, who participate in programs supported by the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation. Specialty body lotions, conditioners and shampoos contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber. The interior design displays a 19th Century influence; the time when the haciendas were prosperous and very luxurious.

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 the Hacienda Temozon is a sustainable tourism destination, it 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

• Kanches were built (traditional raised Mayan garden plots) to provide sustainable production of vegetables and also to serve as a demonstrative model of Mayan agricultural practices for guests of the hacienda. The fruit and vegetables that these gardens produce are used in the hacienda restaurant.
• We have an extensive and detailed inventory of the indigenous flora at the Hacienda.
• A nursery was built to grow indigenous trees and ornamental shrubs used on the property to allow for replanting and reforestation throughout the hacienda grounds.
• Water conservation techniques have enabled us to report a decrease in water consumption from 2009 to 2010 of 15,496 cubic meters.
• Energy saving methods helped to reduce our consumption of liquid propane gas. From 2009 to 2010 we were able to reduce our consumption by 1,380 liters which in turn represents 1,863 metric tons less of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
• Electricity usage has also seen a decrease from 2009 to 2010; 86,805 KWh less, which represents 285,773 fewer metric tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere.
• Our community work in Temozon is done in coordination with the Haciendas del Mundo Maya foundation.

Health – Rescuing Traditional Mayan Medicine

After concluding an exercise which indicated that rescuing traditional Mayan medicinal practices and knowledge could be a sustainable and viable solution to present-day health challenges, we participated with the community of Temozon to create a Casa de Salud (Health Center). The implementation of traditional medicine using Mayan herbalist methods in the prevention and early detection of sicknesses such as diabetes, cancer and arterial hypertension has proven to be economically efficient, as it reduces transportation and medicine expenses and is in harmony with the culture.

The Casa de Salud has a general practitioner on staff that provides once-a-week consultations and a local assistant who provides support for the doctor and community during the remainder of the week.

Objectives:

1. To provide preventive treatment as well as primary medical attention.
2. To maintain a low frequency of illness through herbalist medicine, educational campaigns and workshops.
3. To maintain low child malnutrition levels.
4. To maintain infant mortality at 0% for children from the ages of 0 to 5 years.
5. To rescue, promote and diffuse Mayan herbalist medicine throughout the region where the foundation operates.

2010 Results

• A total of 358 consultations were made of which 48 (13%) were attended directly by the doctor and 310 (84%) by the local assistant.
• Of the 358 consultations 79 (22%) were prescribed allopathic medicines and 279 (78%) were treated with traditional herbalist medicine.
• Continued monitoring of the nutrition levels in the infant population. The number of children attended to monthly is 44. This has contributed to a low 3% malnutrition rate for 2010 (The rate of malnutrition among children 5 years and under in remote areas of the Yucatan can reach 75%)
• There have been no cases of Infant and pre-school-age mortality since 2005.

Educational Development

In conjunction with the families in the community, a space has been adapted for the creation of a community library which provides tools to complement and improve the quality of educational services. Library programs are run in coordination with official education institutions and also offer computers with internet access, providing users with the necessary skills for modern life.

The library hosts workshops and summer classes, as well as providing support to students who need to make up lost classes to complete grades.

In the library, items such pens, paper and the like are sold, and this money is then re-invested in school supplies.

 Goals:

1. Strengthen the libraries and learning centers to improve education in the community
2. Encourage education in youth and adults

2010 Results

At the present time, the library is a space that provides or promotes:

• Literacy and reading comprehension programs.
• Lending of books.
•  Educational support through spelling workshops, remedial classes and homework assistance.
• Information technology
• Culture and recreation through workshops on drawing and art, traditional dance, traditional games and Mayan language.
• Sports activities.
• Academic regularization for adults.

To date, the library has 1,725 users.

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.

Goal:

To contribute to the improvement of the well-being of the families by improving the conditions both in the home and in the community infrastructure.

2010 Results:

• Employees of the hacienda, teachers and other school personnel came together to make improvements to the school facilities through maintenance, rehabilitation and training projects. The result was to have a more conducive learning environment for the students.
• 71 home improvement projects have been realized to date, accounting for 41% of the houses in the community. 77% of all houses in the community now show signs of improvement.
• Bathrooms were built for the library
• Reductions in overcrowding. Health officials estimate that overcrowding is at 25% in the community and the efforts made in this area have reduced the number of persons in a sleeping or rest area from 5-6 to 4-5 persons.

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.

Goals:

1. Consolidate community-based bee-keeping enterprises.
2. Promote the preservation and responsible use of the region’s natural resources.
3. Encourage environmental values among the general public.

2010 Results

• We now have a botanical herb garden in the community health center (Casa de Salud) which contains 67 species of medicinal plants
• Three crop cycles of lettuce, radishes and cilantro were achieved in the local school vegetable garden with the participation of 28 students
• Training was provided for 5 persons in solid waste management and disposal for a transfer station to be constructed in conjunction with the Secretariat of Urban Development and Environment (SEDUMA)
• Two environmental clean-up campaigns were organized; participants included the community doctor, medical support staff, 25 secondary school students and 120 families from the community
• Presentations were held on the subjects of garbage and recycling
• A reforestation campaign was implemented and with the help of the artisans, 112 trees of 3 species were planted.

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. In addition, we help them in obtaining financing, also providing a portion of the funds needed for training, tools, equipment, and certification (WFTO – World Fair Trade Organization); assistance is also provided by the foundation to locate markets or buyers that will provide a fair price for their work.

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.

2010 Results

Artisans Workshops

In the community of Temozon we have set up artisans workshops specializing in horn carving, machine and hand embroidery and crafts derived from henequen. These workshops and their artisans are provided with specialized assistance throughout the various steps; from production and quality control to administration and commercialization of the final product. Obtaining a fair price for their products is also a priority. The handcrafts are created thanks to entrepreneurial women and renowned designers such as Sandra Gutierrez (Mexico) and Roxana Liendro (Argentina); the pieces are one-of-a-kind works of art that combine traditional Mayan techniques and materials with cutting edge design.

• To help promote sales of these products, Hacienda Temozon offers its guests a boutique called Taller Maya (Mayan Workshop) where the artisans’ products are sold.
• The amenities and decoration in Temozon’s restaurant are made by local artisans.
• The volume of production has increased by 48%; from 2,709 products with a value of $191,715.18 pesos in 2009 to 4,012 products with a value of $225,999.54 pesos in 2010.
• The average monthly income per artisan was $1,407.77 pesos in 2010, an increase of 22% over 2009 levels.

Spa

The Spa Therapists program is the result of the search for new opportunities of development for women in the communities. The Haciendas have set aside areas in each property in which local therapists could work. This, in turn, permitted the creation of a cooperative which 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.

• The group of women that collaborates with the Spa at Temozon has 18 active therapists who through their work provided their cooperative with an income of $334,780.13 pesos.
• The average monthly income per therapist in 2010 was $4,255.42 pesos, an increase from the average monthly income in 2009 of 38%.