Guilherme Delmont

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

The Pousada Burundanga works in order to develop the sustainable tourism in Itacaré, in environmental and social areas.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Since the first planning of the Pousada Burundanga the aim has been part of the development of sustainable tourism in Itacare. First of all they chose an area which included a part of Atlantic forest. The location of the building blocks was performed after mapping all the trees in order to prevent its overthrown. No landfill was done and all building blocks are suspended on stilts in order to preserve the natural soil, keeping intact the underbrush and some river sources. The Pousada Burundandga hired a sanitarian and environmentalist in the region to design their anaerobic digester and filter in order to protect the local streams.

In the daily routine the Pousada Burundanga works to reduce the environmental and economic impacts. Therefore they use low-power lamps, automatic programmers for external lighting, the use of low power equipment and the exchange of linen and towels less frequently. The Pousada Burundanga also hires native people as well as makes use of local suppliers, always giving preference for those who somehow are involved with practices of respect for the environment.

The Pousada Burundanga was one of the first accommodations that signed up on the Program of Sustainable Tourism Certification for accommodations, offered by the Hospitality Institute in cooperation with the Government, which offered them methods to achieve their sustainable aims.

The Pousada Burundanga also makes part of the Mecenas da Vida group, in the project "Turismo CO2 Neutro" (Tourism CO2 neutral). It is a project that aims the global neutralization and reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Environmental Protection Area of Itacaré / Serra Grande. The goal is to create a new destination identity: "Destino Carbon Free"(Carbon Free Destination). All establishments that make part of it receive a certification seal. All the values paid for tree seedlings that are planted in order to offset the CO2 emissions, are directed to the Social Carbon Fund, which finances the technical, environmental and human skills for traditional farmers in the rural areas.

The Pousada Burundanga participates in social actions that promote local handcrafts, made of recycled materials. Some of the art crafts found in the Pousada are produced with material abundantly available in nature as straw or with recycled ones as metallic can caps and rest of wood from carpentry works. These works are developed in Pousada Burundanga for youngsters from Itacaré.

The Pousada Burundanga promotes financially the Capoeira Filhos de Zumbi, which aims to rescue and also foster the practice of a sport that make part of the Bahia's culture and history, taking children and youth from the streets and giving them moral and educational formation. At this association there are English classes and computers available (which are donated by society and tourists).

The Pousada Burundanga also helps with financial assistance an asylum for elderly in Itacaré, the Casa dos Velhinhos.

Third Party Verification: 

Mecenas da Vida (Brazil)