SUSTAINABILITY in action - Part 3

In the third and last of our series of articles on what leading spas around the world are doing in terms of sustainable practices, GreenSpa Africa’s Charné le Roux focuses on the Lefay Resorts Group

Lefay di Garda infinity pool

“AS stakeholders in THE SUCCESS of any sustainable HOSPITALITY ESTABLISHMENT, a SPA’S GUESTS form an INTEGR AL PART of any ESG ( ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL GOVERNANCE) landscape.”

There is no doubt that the Lefay Resorts Group in Italy is making a significant positive impact on our planet as well as its people. It currently has two properties under its wing, with two more in the pipeline. The Lake Garda spa property was crafted into the mountainside of a protected park – rich in its biodiversity of plants and animals – and overlooking the Garda Lake from which its name derives. Lefay’s Dolomiti resort lies within a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the northern Italian ski area of Madonna di Campiglio.

My first contact with Lefay’s philosophy of sustainability was when I came across its beautiful Green Book. This book is a way of storytelling the resort’s sustainability programmes to its guests and to inspire them to play an active role in Lefay’s culture of protection and conservation. Guests are guided in the book with recommendations on how to interact with the property’s natural and built environments. As stakeholders in the success of any sustainable hospitality establishment, a spa’s guests form an integral part of any ESG (Environmental and Social Governance) landscape.

Although a resort can implement various green technologies and practices, its guests must also accept and participate in selecting environmentally sustainable options.

Bio-architecture

But let’s look at the creation of these resorts, where the concept of bio-architecture played a significant role. At Lake Garda for example, all the individual units were created to fit into the character of the landscape and can hardly be seen due to the thick vegetation covering the roofs. In this way, they blur the line between building and nature.

The green roofs also create an insulating effect, bolstered by the way in which the windows are oriented and the fact that they additionally feature a special reflective coating. Achieving a high level of thermal insulation reduces the need for electric heating and cooling. Research shows that insufficient insulation (installing insulation is a relatively low cost building practice even when retro-fitted) has a significant negative impact on the energy required to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Lefay Dolomiti Spa

Lefay di Garda salt water pool

Sustainability and the surrounding natural environment were also kept in mind when designing the resorts’ rooms. They’re simply decorated in earthy tones, with natural fabrics and local materials. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide beautiful views of the landscape and the natural light reduces the need for energy demanding lights.

Energy production

Lefay relies on sophisticated energy production systems, with a specific advantage obtained by the use of a combination of different technologies that spread the risk of energy downtime. These systems include a biomass plant, a micro turbines cogeneration plant, and an absorption cooling system. Absorption cooling is an environmentally friendly way to produce cooling as it reduces the use of electrically driven cooling.

All of this may seem very technical, but with a growing need for our industry to become more environmentally conscious, there is an associated obligation to improve our carbon and energy literacy too.

“We had to CREATE OUR RESORTS in HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT. This is why our properties FEATURE ON-SITE ENERGY PLANTS using CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY sources, such as biomass and PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS.”

All-encompassing practices

I was impressed with the all-encompassing sustainability practices that Lefay Resorts employed in every facet of sustainability, from, as mentioned above, the creation of the resorts and their buildings, the interior fittings and furniture, to operational practices around energy, carbon emissions, water stewardship and waste management. And then there are also Lefay’s social practices and the positive effects these have on communities and staff.

To do proper justice to Lefay’s ground-breaking work would require another Green Book, so I’ll conclude with those practices that are particularly inspiring, as well as practical and simple to implement.

• All of the office processes are designed to limit the use of paper as much as possible, eg electronic archives were created for all business records and all marketing materials are digital. Rooms are also paperless, with a tablet in each that continues to provide information and services digitally.

• Asustainable procurement policy helps Lefay to improve its supply chain management by ensuring that suppliers too, operate within the bounds of social and environmental efficiencies.

• Lefay’s vital cuisine concept expresses respect for the changing seasons, commitment to quality products and fresh ingredients, as well as a preference for local suppliers of organic food.

• Green mobility is promoted with the installation of charge points for electric cars and an electric vehicle in Lefay’s shuttle service.

• All the used soap bars in the resorts are recycled to make new bars that are distributed in areas where poor health and hygiene conditions exist, combining waste management with a strong social component.

• The Spas only use certified organic oils and natural, ethical products in their treatments and therapies.

• To fully understand the high standards of service and grasp the nuances of ‘the Lefay way’, staff are encouraged to experience first-hand, a stay at Lefay. This practice is indispensable in staff training and also constitutes a unique wellness moment for them.

Relationship with staff

The success that Lefay has had in its relationship with its staff is reflected in the recent Top Employer certification that it received. This is an accolade given by the Top Employers Institute, a global authority that recognizes corporate excellence in the human resources field.

Lefay’s sustainability report of 2021 includes the facts and figures for both 2020 and 2021, showing both weaknesses and improvements. This transparency is important to stakeholders and the public and ensures that Lefay will continue to create ways to mitigate environmental and social challenges. This is no doubt why this group proudly refers to the Green Globe certification that each resorts carries.

Alcide Leali

Q&A with Lefay’s Alcide Leali

Alcide Leali is Lefay’s CEO and has headed up this remarkable family business for over a decade. He is strongly of the view that personal wellness should never overlook environmental wellness. I asked him about some of Lefay’s successes, challenges and innovation in maintaining its high environmental and social standards.

What would you say is Lefay’s greatest sustainability success?

AL: Achieving and maintaining carbon neutrality with all the companies belonging to the Lefay Group since 2015 is definitely a major success for the group.

And your sustainability challenges?

AL: Firstly, we had to create our resorts in harmony with the environment. This is why our properties feature on-site energy plants using clean and renewable energy sources, such as biomass and photovoltaic panels. Secondly, all the elements associated with a stay at Lefay have to be consistent with this commitment: the natural materials used in the interior design, the cosmetic line being vegan and cruelty free certified; the ethical approach in our cuisine; and the policies to support our communities (eg our procurement policy gives preference to organic and local producers).

The greatest challenge is connected to people. We dedicate a great deal of attention to the selection and training of our team members, as well as to their benefits and work conditions. This effort led us to be welcomed among the companies certified as Top Employers, an honour extended to the most virtuous groups in terms of human resources policies.

How do you integrate the sustainability message across all executive and non-executive levels?

AL: All new employees receive specific training on sustainability issues. And, all staff members are also actively involved in the production of our Sustainability Report and thus are very actively contributing in collecting data for each KPI. In addition to this, staff constantly undergo technical audits and certifications and so become very familiar with sustainability metrics. Lastly, sustainability is a well-covered topic throughout the training courses that are provided on an ongoing basis.

Furthermore, all our most significant actions are promoted through our online and offline communication tools, such as our website, social channels, newsletters and Lefay Magazine.

Lefay di Garda spa treatment gazebo

“ALL NEW EMPLOYEES RECEIVE SPECIFIC TR AINING on SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES. And, all staff members are also ACTIVELY INVOLVED in the PRODUCTION OF OUR SUSTAINABILITY REPORT and thus are very actively CONTRIBUTING IN COLLECTING DATA for each KPI.”

Are there any sustainability innovations that you implemented at the spas specifically?

AL: I am proud to say that Lefay Spas are ‘Being Organic & Ecological SPA certified’ level of Excellence. This is a certification for wellness centres that offers the highest standards in the field of sustainability and at the same time guarantees a place of relaxation to guests by combining the experience of natural wellbeing with a strong commitment to the ecology of the planet and its resources.

The level of Excellence means that over and above the Lefay Spas complying with the 50 criteria points, it also introduced an innovative concept of global wellbeing. This concept is distinguished by three fundamental aspects: the unique quality of Lefay Spa Method health treatments and programmes and the commitment to the training and professional development of its staff; the exceptional comfort in the treatment cabins that provides guests with an incomparable experience; and the measures put in place to sustainably manage the buildings.

Which sustainability projects will Lefay focus on in 2023?

AL: The most important project for 2023 is the installation of new photovoltaic solar panels, both in our resorts and in the corporate offices, with the aim of further increasing our energy independence.

As turnkey sustainability practitioner, Charné le Roux advocates and influences sustainability in the wellness industry. Her work includes creating the Sustainable Spa Practitioner Course, GreenSpa Guide and GreenSpa Calculator.

Email charne@greenspa.africa