Highest accolade for wholehearted commitment

Pontresina youth hostel has achieved Ibex Fairstay Platinum, the highest seal of quality for sustainability in the hospitality sector. This is actually far from surprising, as Swiss youth hostels are pioneers in sustainability. Whether in terms of accessibility or inclusion, a balance between being affordable and economic or minimising emissions – the sustainability strategy is comprehensive and genuine.

Worm alarm at 1,800 metres above sea level

Worms love eating compost, and this is something that the team at Pontresina youth hostel has put to good use. The hostel’s own worm farm is used to compost kitchen waste and leftover food. What do the diligent helpers produce? Topsoil to fertilise raised beds and flowers. So the small residents are not overwhelmed, a portion does still go to the biogas facility. But either way, these closed loops always make ecological sense. 

Ecological wine from start to finish

Glass determines the transport weight, which in turn affects the amount of energy required. This beautiful hostel nestled in the Upper Engadin is tackling this problem at its root. At the local wine producer, organic wine is bottled in bag-in-box containers, specially for the youth hostel. The result of this is less waste, less weight and a better ecological footprint for the wines on offer. And by the way, the wine is still perfect several weeks later, and the guests are anything but reluctant.

Social tourism and the common good – Reka’s guiding principles

Reka, the Swiss Travel Fund, is probably the only one of its kind worldwide. As the leading organisation for social tourism in Switzerland, it does not distribute profits. Instead, we invest in Reka Money, in our Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid and in climate protection. The principles of the business model? Added value for society, accessibility for all, and sustainability over all three pillars.

Proximity to public transport – without concessions

The new facility in the idyllic Urnäsch is easily accessible by public transport – as are all other Reka holiday villages, for that matter. Since closeness to public transport has always been a key criterion when choosing locations for Reka holiday villages. 

Energy-efficient construction – standard for new-builds

The desire to leave the smallest possible footprint is also reflected in the builds’ construction. The Appenzell holiday village was built to the Minergie standard – the Swiss brand for sustainable construction and energy-efficient buildings. Energy-efficient construction and resource conservation are criteria that are consistently applied to all of Reka’s new-builds.

Inclusive and accessible – on principle

Ground-breaking and affordable – Swiss youth hostels give total sustainability a human face, without compromising on quality and indulgence for guests on a tight budget. Inclusion, not only financially but also in terms of accessibility, is the real priority here. This can be seen just from the fact that information on accessible accommodation is available everywhere. 

Climate protection is also at guests’ fingertips

Interlaken youth hostel is situated at the foot of the Jungfrau Region, right by Interlaken Ost train station. So there really is nothing standing in the way of an environmentally friendly journey there. Guests can also opt to offset their stay. The voluntary donation is matched by the youth hostel and goes to local and international climate protection projects.

A sophisticated green construction

The youth hostel, which opened in early 2012, is one of the first Swiss hospitality businesses built to the Minergie-P eco-standard. What does this standard mean? An ultra-low energy construction built to the highest levels of quality and comfort, which also meets health and ecological building requirements. So a building that is forward-looking in terms of both energy and comfort. 

The aim? Carbon neutrality!

Reka, the Swiss Travel Fund, has set itself high targets: with a great sense of responsibility, comprehensive energy concept and the motivation to preserve our natural heritage for future generations to the greatest degree possible, the association is striving to be carbon-neutral and is thus on the way to becoming one of Switzerland’s greenest holiday providers. 

Renewable energies – the means to achieve the goal

Heating energy and power supply – two key levers when it comes to being climate-friendly. And this is exactly where Reka comes in. Already, 70% of fossil fuels for heating in all Reka residences have been replaced by renewables, and 100% of power is supplied by renewable sources. And energy-efficient buildings will help reduce heating energy consumption even further in future. By making a small contribution at the booking stage, guests are also already able to travel in a carbon-neutral way. 

Self-sufficiency in Alpine regions

A Reka holiday village in an energy class of its own is even rising up in the hidden Valais resort of Blatten-Belalp. The facility, which opened in 2014, produces all its heating energy and 70% of its electricity requirements through solar and geothermal energy. The project has even been praised as a beacon by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. This is also because it shows that self-sufficient buildings can definitely be a realistic option in Alpine regions. 

A piece of history comes alive

Where the Romans and Habsburgs may have lived once before, curious guests can now spend some extraordinary nights. “Schlössli Altenburg”, which can be found in Brugg youth hostel, has a turbulent history that likely dates back to the 16th century. A prime example of how to make a piece of history come alive, and be accessible to guests, without losing any architecture deserving of protection.

Personal commitment trumps everything

The youth hostel in the moated bastion of Switzerland shows that protected historic buildings are no barrier to sustainability measures. The gold award from sustainability label Ibex Fairstay proves this. First and foremost, however, sustainability is also simply a human issue. In the case of Brugg youth hostel, the all-female team of Saba and Jara has been striving for years – day in, day out – to improve its environmental footprint. 

Impressive energy-saving

The area of “resource-saving” stands out in particular, with remarkably low power and water consumption. Why is that? Because of energy-saving LED lighting, movement sensors and shared bathrooms that positively influence how people shower. And at this affordable accommodation, they are not above checking guests’ waste for recyclable materials – with the aim of maximising recycling and minimising waste.