Sustainability Policy

Dos Aguas Lodge, in offering a quality lodging service and experiences of discovery of the natural and cultural riches of the Colombian Caribbean, has a total and deep commitment to the sustainable development of tourism in Rincón del Mar. This commitment is born from love that we have for this place and wanting to have a positive impact at an environmental, social and economic level, taking care of the cultural and natural identity of this place. We know that the rapid and unexpected growth of tourism, when it is not based on the principles of sustainability, can irreversibly change a place, leading to a loss of identity and culture and generating strong environmental pressures on fragile and threatened ecosystems: knowing that the Rincón’s tourist attractions are mainly environmental and cultural, and these are central attractions in our offer to the responsible tourist, that is, the tourist who is looking for an authentic place to discover the culture of the Colombian Caribbean surrounded by nature, putting tourism sustainability as a central pillar of our business is a necessity as much as a business strategy.

For this reason, we not only seek to contemplate measures and commitments aimed at preventing, eliminating and reducing the environmental and social impact of the hosting service we provide, but we also seek to implement proactive initiatives for continuous improvement of sustainability and environmental and cultural conservation. involving and strengthening our hosts in the sustainable progress of Rincón del Mar according to principles shared by themselves. In this way, the same hosts become entrepreneurs in the sustainable development of their own environment and can bring direct economic benefits from the responsible growth of tourism in the region.
In this process we are also committed to accompanying tourists through a journey to raise awareness of the principles of responsible tourism, to mitigate the footprint of tourism growth not only in Rincón but throughout the world.

We feel that doing business in a responsible and sustainable way is the only way to do business, an ethical and universal duty that all companies have and a way to guarantee future development, and not just a superficial form of marketing. For this reason, in our relationships with suppliers, clients, collaborators and third parties, we will put our policy in the foreground, socializing our values and ways of doing business to be proactive in promoting a new way of doing business, but aware that we are all on a path to a better world.

How will we do it?

First, at the environmental level, we well know that being able to identify and measure our impact is the first step to be able to reduce it, at the same time promoting initiatives for the conservation and preservation of biological diversity. We will invest in the environmental education of young people so that they themselves become protectors and caretakers of our environment for future generations.

We will invite our tourists to understand and consequently respect the environment, flora and fauna, making them aware of the richness and value of the natural world that surrounds us and its global and universal ecosystem value. We will implement measures to reduce energy and, especially, water, which in Rincón continues to be a basic unanswered need. We will launch waste reduction programs, with the aim of completely reducing the use of disposable plastic in our establishment and by our suppliers.

Second, we believe in the equality of individuals. Our business can be sustainable only when we can contribute to reducing social differences, creating growth opportunities and economic opportunities for shared and fair growth. We will share the needs and interests of our collaborators, allowing ourselves to be guided by them in our commitment and cooperation with the community. Our efforts will be focused on providing native development and entrepreneurship opportunities so that our hosts become entrepreneurs themselves in the responsible tourism sector, thus protecting the destination and its cultural identity at the same time.

Finally, we are committed to the conservation of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of our hosts, respecting the fact that we ourselves are guests in their territory. We will participate in public and everyday life, learning and appreciating culinary and artistic traditions and different lifestyles, and protecting Rincón’s history and memory as if it were our own. We will support cultural initiatives and actively encourage our guests to discover, with respect and admiration, the incredible cultural richness of Rincón.

Dos Aguas Lodge Code of Conduct

1. Let us develop our activities with the aim of improving the sustainability and competitiveness of the destination, thus improving the quality of life of our employees, the community, visitors and the entire population.
2. We include within our organizational culture actions focused on the well-being and professional growth of our employees and the development of the happiness of their family and children.
3. Let us develop social responsibility, environmental and fair trade policies and inform tourists about their application and associated good practices, so that they can contribute to caring for the destination.
4. Let’s design, together with local entrepreneurs, innovative and sustainable tourism products that promote local culture and values, aspiring to a growth of responsible tourism in the destination.
5. We provide quality services and under the agreed conditions.
6. Let’s have a friendly and supportive treatment towards the tourist. We provide information and support in a timely and truthful manner.
7. Let’s give tourists the necessary tools so that they can enjoy their time in a way that promotes the well-being of the destination, its community and the environment.
8. Let us truthfully inform tourists about the price and other services we offer.
9. We adopt all measures to guarantee the safety of visitors during their stay at our destination, and of our employees during the provision of services.
10. We choose and encourage providers of local services and products, under fair and equitable conditions. Let’s strengthen local entrepreneurs in their businesses.
11. Let’s encourage local employment under fair and equitable conditions.
12. We responsibly promote the attractions of the destination, ensuring that they are enjoyed in a sustainable manner.
13. We promote the conservation of the environment and the ecosystems that surround us, environmental education, and the sustainable management of resources to guarantee their durability over the years.
14. We reject acts and actions that negatively affect the well-being of the environment.
15. We reject the practices of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Boys, Girls and Adolescents (ECSNNA), which is a crime, or any type of behavior that goes against the dignity of people.
16. Let’s denounce the trade in illicit drugs and psychoactive substances.
17. We are attentive to any emergency alert or unexpected event to have the possibility of reacting according to the published recommendations on emergency care and prevention.
18. We consider fundamental the claims and comments of tourists, employees and the community.
19. We provide the necessary means so that tourists, employees and the community in general can direct their claims and comments on the quality of the exercise of our business.
20. Let us respect the identity, ethnic and cultural diversity, difference in political creed or religion, social condition or other differences of residents, visitors and the entire population in general.
21. We comply with the current local and national legal regulatory framework.

We contribute to the development of the destination and have the right to:

• To be recognized as entities of support, management and urban and environmental development to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the destination.
• That our employees receive correct treatment by residents, visitors and staff of tourist establishments.
• That information about our companies be included in directories, guides or articles issued in official publications of the destination.
• That the public administration incorporate us in the tourist promotion of the destination and locality.
• Request resources, cooperation or incentives for the development of programs and projects that promote the tourism development of the destination.
• Participate in the public decision-making process in relation to the tourist development of the destination.
• Enjoy the rights consigned in the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” considering, especially, those referring to life, liberty, justice and equality of individuals and the friendly relationship between peoples and nations.

Duties and rights of sustainability

Dos Aguas Lodge defines the following Rights and Duties in relation to Tourism Sustainability of three important actors:

Guests

Rights

• Know the information on the management of natural, sociocultural and economic resources that impact the hotel.
• Enjoy the tourist sites of the region.
• Enjoy the hotel facilities.
• Know the information of the legal requirements applicable to guests for tourism and accommodation activities.
• Know the policies and guidelines for the provision of hotel services.

Homework

• Respect for the culture, beliefs, traditions and habits of the people of the Region, collaborators and other guests.
• Make proper use of the hotel facilities.
• Make rational use of natural resources.
• Respect the social spaces of the hotel.
• Comply with the legal requirements for the prevention of sexual exploitation of minors.
• Comply with the contractual conditions for the provision of the service.
• Respect for the tranquility of other guests.
• Support recycling activities and waste management policies.

Suppliers

Rights

• Know the sustainability policy and associated programs.
• Know the purchasing policy and sustainable management of the products and services purchased by the hotel.
• To receive fair and timely payment for their services and products sold.
• If it is a local provider, it has priority.
• Submit claims associated with the business relationship with the hotel.
• Participate in training generated by the hotel.

Homework

• Respect for the culture, beliefs, traditions and habits of the guests.
• Comply with legal regulations to provide products or services.
• Comply with the legal requirements for the prevention of sexual exploitation of minors.
• Comply with the contractual conditions for the provision of the service or purchase of its products.
• Comply with the hotel’s sustainability and purchasing policies.
• Comply with the policies for the final disposal of waste generated in the activities.

Collaborators

Rights

• Receive a fair salary and work in safe and legal conditions, receiving respect without discrimination based on gender, race and disabilities.
• Know the information on the management of natural, sociocultural and economic resources that impact the hotel.
• Have a space for well-being in the hotel facilities.
• Receive inclusive treatment from the hotel, which includes them in decisions and in the definition of future strategies, and the commitment to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.
• Know the information of the legal requirements applicable to guests for tourism and accommodation activities.
• Know the policies and guidelines for the provision of hotel services.
• Enjoy training that improves your performance.
• Participate in the process of continuous improvement.

Homework

• Respect for the culture, beliefs, traditions and habits of the guests.
• Comply with legal regulations to provide products or services.
• Comply with the legal requirements for the prevention of sexual exploitation of minors.
• Comply with the contractual conditions for the provision of the service or purchase of its products.
• Comply with the hotel’s sustainability and purchasing policies.
• Comply with the policies for the final disposal of waste generated in the activities.

Compliance Legal Requirements

Dos Aguas Lodge carries out the necessary activities to comply with the current and applicable regulations of Tourism Sustainability. In particular, our efforts are focused on compliance with the following laws:

MINOR PROTECTION -ESCNNA: Protection of Sexual and Commercial Exploitation of Boys, Girls and Adolescents, according to Law 679 of 2001 and Law 1336 of 2009 where Law 679 of 2001 on the prevention of exploitation, pornography is strengthened and sex tourism with minors. In development of the provisions of Article 17 of Law 679 of 2001, Dos Aguas Lodge warns that the exploitation and sexual abuse of children and adolescents in the country are criminally sanctioned in accordance with current laws. Dos Aguas Lodge rejects exploitation, pornography and other forms of sexual tourism with minors and contributes to compliance with Law 679 of 2001 and Law 300 on tourism.

CULTURAL: Protection of Cultural Heritage and guidelines for Cultural Diversity, according to Law 397 of 1997, where the Ministry of Culture in the Country is created and general conditions for its conservation, management and illegal traffic. Law 22 of 1981 on the elimination of forms of racial discrimination, article 7 and 8 of the Political Constitution of Colombia.

ENVIRONMENT (FAUNA AND FLORA): Protection of the Environment, in accordance with the National Code of Renewable and Non-Renewable Natural Resources and guidelines defined in Law 99 of 1993 on the conservation of the natural environment and renewable resources (National Environmental System SINA), articles of the Political Constitution of Colombia, Law 165 of 1994 on the protection of biological diversity related to wildlife trafficking, Law 611 of 2000 on the sustainable management of Wild and Aquatic Fauna, Law 1333 of 2009 and the Colombian Penal Code defines the regulatory measures and sentences on the illegal trafficking of fauna and flora.

ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION: Regulates the environmental and sanitary conditions for human well-being and preservation of the natural environment in the articles of the Colombian Political Constitution and in the National Sanitary Code Law 09 of 1979.

SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK: Implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety System in accordance with the Sole Regulatory Decree of the Labor Sector Decree 1072 of 2015.

DATA PROTECTION: Data protection of the Hotel’s interest groups, in accordance with Law 1581 of 2012 and associated decrees.