How REMOTE Immersion prioritizes sustainability and community

September 11, 2024

Every year, as we design a new REMOTE Immersion from the ground up, we focus on the impact we will have on the destination we visit. We believe that promoting the local tourism economy and helping put a destination on the map of responsible tourism is the least we can do as a community of professionals dedicated to a more prosperous Latin America and sustainable tourism industry.

We strive continuously to evolve on our journey, creating an event that is deeply committed to sustainability, regeneration and positive impacts. Every day, we are also inspired by the remarkable creativity and dedication our REMOTE Exhibitors and Travel Designers show toward people and the planet.

The REMOTE Sustainability Strategy

Since 2023, we have embarked on a deeper sustainability journey for our immersion events. Developed for the Cuenca edition in collaboration with Regenera NGO and inspired by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria and the Sustainable Development Goals, the REMOTE Sustainability Strategy has now been tailored for Puyehue. It is anchored in six key pillars:
– Promoting training and awareness
– Boosting the local economy
– Fostering lasting positive impacts
– Supporting innovation
– Integrating and celebrating local cultures
– Reducing environmental impact

Our primary approach is to build strong connections and foster an open dialogue with local providers, creating a channel for active listening and collaboration. Through this, we gain valuable insights into how we can contribute to the destination’s journey of sustainability. In Puyehue, we are working closely with ten suppliers, seeking to understand their key challenges and the sustainable practices currently in place. These exchanges and conversations allow us to identify gaps, evaluate existing initiatives and propose tailored adjustments and solutions to enhance their operations now and in the future.

After conducting interviews with our local providers, we collaborate with our production team, local partners and providers to design the event, focusing on the following priorities:
– Reducing single-use items, particularly plastics
– Promoting mindful use of water and energy
– Honoring and celebrating local culture and natural heritage
– Emphasizing sustainable gastronomy and supporting local producers
– Promoting awareness, responsible content and conscious communication
– Reducing our carbon footprint

REMOTE Legacy and REMOTE Mentorship

Since the REMOTE Immersion in Barichara, Colombia in 2019, we’ve been sharing captivating presentations from our Talks & Seeds series with local communities through REMOTE Legacy, a free lecture series offered in our host locations. Our goal is to inspire local citizens, travel professionals and students to drive positive innovation and deepen appreciation for their region’s unique assets, ultimately promoting responsible tourism in the territory.

This year, we’re excited to host REMOTE Legacy under the theme Caretakers of the Earth through Sustainable Tourism. The event will take place at Casa de La Cultura in Entre Lagos at 9:30 AM on October 16th and will feature the participation of Romina da Pieve, deputy manager of Conservation and Sustainability at Explora Hotels, Pia Vergara, executive director of Fundación Cerro Guido Conservación, Sebastian Paoa, vice president of the Easter Island Chamber of Tourism, Carolina Cerda and Francisca Aylwin, leaders of the Route of Parks of Patagonia Program at Fundación Rewilding Chile, Yuri Beletsky, an astronomer at Las Campanas Observatory in the Atacama Desert, and the REMOTE content team. Admission is free and open to all.

As part of our engagement with the Puyehue community and the positive legacy we intend to leave at the destination, we’re launching the REMOTE Mentorship program this year. This small training initiative invites a group of tourism professionals from Puyehue to experience the event firsthand. Participants will attend an online strategic meeting prior to the event with the director of REMOTE Latin America and an online session with a Chilean DMC, and enjoy one-day participation in the event, including attending meetings. “We created the mentoring program to share some of our learnings about international tourism with small local providers and institutions that can benefit and sustainably grow their business from these encounters,” explains Marcelo Pontes, director of REMOTE LA.

Carbon Offsetting

Each year, we partner with a local initiative in the REMOTE Immersion host country to help offset the carbon emissions generated by the event’s operations and our team’s flights. While we acknowledge that air travel significantly contributes to environmental impact, we also recognize that carbon offsetting is just one part of the broader effort to reduce our overall footprint — it’s a step forward, but not the ultimate solution. This year, we’ve teamed up with Fundación Reforestemos to offset our emissions through conservation and reforestation programs, working with small rural landowners in the Los Lagos region. We encourage our REMOTERS to offset their emissions as well.

Embracing sustainability at Hotel Termas de Puyehue

Our partner and headquarters this year, Hotel Termas de Puyehue, reflects our steadfast commitment to sustainability. In alignment with our mission and the values of the Tanica S.A. group, of which it is part, the hotel has made significant investments in waste management, environmental awareness, community engagement and the promotion of local development and energy efficiency. Holding the Sustainable Tourism Seal (Sello S) awarded by Sernatur Chile, Hotel Termas de Puyehue utilizes the region’s natural geothermal energy to heat its facilities, significantly reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

During our visit, we will have the opportunity to enjoy and support one of the hotel’s key initiatives: a fair that features local artisanal producers, bringing together a variety of regional crafts, cuisine and other locally-made products and allowing us to directly contribute to the local community.

We are also deeply grateful to our local providers, who are fully aware of their responsibility to the planet. While many have already implemented various sustainability practices, they have shown an inspiring commitment to joining us on this shared journey. Together, we aim to create a memorable REMOTE Immersion that not only minimizes environmental impacts but also leaves a lasting, positive legacy for the cherished Puyehue community.

Our goals for 2024

These are the REMOTE Immersion Puyehue actions that reflect our comprehensive approach to sustainability, focusing on community engagement, environmental responsibility and local economic support:

1. Promoting Training and Awareness

Launching the REMOTE Mentorship program to train local tourism professionals in international market dynamics.
Hosting the REMOTE Legacy lecture series, sharing insights on sustainable tourism and innovation with the local community.
Offering inspiring content through REMOTE Talks & Seeds under the theme Caretakers of the Earth and focused on sustainability, responsible tourism and innovative practices.

2. Boosting the Local Economy

Connecting global tourism professionals with local entrepreneurs and the destination.
Supporting local entrepreneurs, producers and artisans by showcasing their products at the event’s local fair.

3. Fostering Lasting Positive Impacts

Collaborating with local suppliers to enhance their sustainability practices and promote their businesses.
Sharing knowledge that benefits long-term development of tourism in the community.

4. Supporting Innovation

Encouraging creative and innovative sustainability solutions by sharing best practices.
Partnering with Fundación Reforestemos to support innovative reforestation and conservation projects involving small rural landowners.
Promoting innovation through inspiring content.

5. Integrating and Celebrating Local Cultures

Highlighting Puyehue’s cultural heritage through storytelling, sustainable cuisine, local crafts and regional products.
Honoring and promoting the destination’s natural and cultural heritage by highlighting its unique features through our REMOTE Immersion activities.

6. Reducing Environmental Impact

Offsetting carbon emissions from the event’s accommodations, logistics and our team’s flights.
Partnering with Hotel Termas de Puyehue, a leader in sustainability and regeneration.
Striving for a near-zero plastic event, minimizing waste and promoting responsible water and energy use at all venues.
Providing guidance to local suppliers to advance their efforts at sustainability.