Royal Sun Resort Sustainability in Acantilado de los Gigantes

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2020


ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

The Senior Management of Royal Sun Resort tourist accommodation is committed to protecting the environment and strives to reduce the operational impact of our establishment.
We continuously look for opportunities to minimize waste generation through recycling, reduction and reuse of waste.
We assess our activities, products and services and monitor their impact on the environment, both present and future, in order to prevent pollution from the outset.

We effectively and efficiently manage hazardous substances, by training the staff and authorized managers.
We involve all our stakeholders (shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, subcontractors and local community) in the management of environmental processes with the aim to promote their support and recognition.
We appreciate the natural surroundings in which our establishments are located, from the local flora and fauna to the local community, in such a way that we actively collaborate in their preservation and economic growth.
We establish criteria in the selection of suppliers on the basis of their commitment to the environment, through the prevention and control of carbon emissions generated by the transport of goods.

We fit out specific areas such as recycling bins in communal areas that enable everyone to recycle waste, as well as recycling points for the management of hazardous and special waste.
We give recognition to our hotel staff by publishing in Be News their efforts, a magazine that is distributed to agencies, tour operators and end customers during trade fairs.
We work in compliance with international, national and regional legislation.
We set targets and goals in order to efficiently manage, and also to not waste, water and energy.
We involve our staff and younger kids with the aim of raising awareness about the future of our planet.
We hold and maintain up-to-date this policy, which is available to everyone.

SOCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICY

The senior management of Royal Sun Resort aims to ensure good relations among the establishment, the local community and its businesses.
Royal Sun Resort ensures that its social and economic impacts are beneficial to the local community, where possible. In this way, the establishment strives to minimize and eliminate any possible negative impact.
The objectives of the Management Policy with the community are as follows:

- Certification. In order to meet the criteria of sustainability, including socio-economic impacts and well-being of the staff, the establishment is putting all its efforts to obtain the Travelife Gold certification during this year.

- Promotion of responsible tourism in the area. Royal Sun Resort undertakes to maintain a close relationship with the local community, ensuring the respect of the area where our hotels are located, warning our customers about the importance of caring for and protecting the flora and fauna of the place.
Our hotel is committed to local trade, and therefore, local theme dinners are organized weekly in our restaurants and buffets in order to promote and make known the local food.

- Purchasing policy. Royal Sun Resort buys and promotes products that are produced locally, ensuring that they meet the preventive measures of health and safety, in addition to the quality required by our customers. This fact helps to reduce CO2 emissions resulting from the transport of products produced outside the location of our hotels.

- Employment. The establishment recognizes the importance of employing local staff as a preference, in order to collaborate with the local economy. The policy preserves the place of destination, which is the basis for future customers and for those who repeat destination.

- Donations and social contributions. Our hotel donates articles such as furniture or bed linen, which are not used anymore in the business, to local organizations that can take advantage of them
SAFETY AND HEALTH POLICY

For Royal Sun Resort, it is very important to provide a safe and friendly environment to our employees, customers and suppliers in each of our hotels.
For this reason, we have the tools that provide us a preventive control in the following health and safety areas:

1. Fire protection

We have fire emergency procedures. Our hotel has an endorsed and updated self-protection Plan. Fire-fighting equipments are reviewed periodically. We provide training to our staff annually.

2. Food hygiene

Our staff handling food has the corresponding license. By means of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), control measures are applied in the potential dangers and risks in terms of food hygiene. In addition, every year pest controls are performed.

3. Pools and Jacuzzis

We have placed warning panels informing about the safety standards on the use of the pool and relax areas. There are emergency procedures and guidelines that are strictly followed to keep vessels clean and disinfected.

4. General safety

Technical Building Codes are met in order to reduce the possibility of injuries caused by slips, trips and falls.

5. Fossil fuels, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems installations

Our maintenance staff receives continuous training to reduce the possibilities of a poor performance in an emergency event due to lack of knowledge of the procedure. Gas appliances, air conditioners, heating and electrical systems are installed, checked and maintained by qualified persons. We have procedures for refrigerant gas leak detection.

6. Security in the handling of chemicals and hazardous substances

All the staff handling chemicals receives training. Work Instructions and Best Practices are available and explained by the Environment Manager of the hotel, and they are also placed near the product.

7. Water management

We take daily, weekly, monthly and annual measures in order to prevent pollution of the water for human consumption, both hot and cold. In addition, the hotel has authorization for the connection to public sewer systems and analytical testing is carried out regularly.

8. Occupational Risk Prevention

The occupational risk prevention team visits our establishments every year to ensure the safety of our employees.


EMPLOYEE POLICY AND HUMAN RESOURCES

The social commitment of Royal Sun Resort is to support and promote positive work environment, the professional fulfillment of each and every employee as well as to respect the employment rights. In addition, our company is committed to respecting and contributing towards the economic development of the local community in which the hotel establishments is located.
In Royal Sun Resort :

1. We value our team and treat them fairly and with respect, in order to ensure that no one is discriminated against because of the age, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

2. We are committed to providing the necessary training to support our employees in their professional career within our company.

3. We comply with the laws and State regulations affecting our employees.

4. We employ local people, where possible.

5. We ensure that all our employees understand the terms and conditions set forth in their employement contracts.

6. We recognize the right to trade union membership.

7. We offer a living wage, never below the minimum wage stipulated by law.

8. We encourage our staff to follow the commitments to sustainability supported by the company, in such a way that they understand their respective roles and contribute towards the achievement of the goals and objectives of Royal Sun Resort.

Our hotel sets social objectives annually. This year, the planned objectives are as follows:

a) Training: From January 2018, 100 percent of employees will be trained in order that they understand their responsibilities for sustainability adopted by the company.

b) Equality Plan: The measures of the Equality Plan are being implemented.

c) Recruitment: It is set a target of 50 percent in the recruitment of employees from the local community.

The Senior Management of Royal Sun Resort supports and signs this policy with the intention of protecting the well-being at work of its employees.


QUALITY POLICY

We have the following procedures and systems established which help us to achieve our goal of total customer satisfaction:

1. Family and close relationship with our customers

2. Ensuring the quality of service and products offered to our customers

3. Collection and monitoring of customers complaints and suggestions

4. Regular monitoring of customer satisfaction and once the comments and/or complaints are identified, we adopt the measures to improve our service

5. Promoting team work and positive work environment

6. Training and professional development for all our employees

7. Complying with the law and rules applicable in each of our hotels

8. Measurable quality objectives, which reflect our service level standards

The internal procedures, instructions, policies and manuals of Royal Sun Resort are reviewed on a regular basis and the Quality objectives are released in different ways in order to keep all employees informed: bulletin boards, team meetings, etc.
Although the Senior Management of Royal Sun Resort has the ultimate responsibility for the Quality, all employees are involved in their own areas of work, helping to ensure that quality is embedded in all our facilities.

POLICY AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

For Royal Sun Resort, tourism is an important source of revenues for countries, areas and places and brings undoubted benefits such as economic development, cultural exchange and international promotion of a particular place, among others.

Tourism is increasingly more accessible for everyone and a growing number of people have the opportunity to visit more places. However, in the same proportion that tourism has increased, undesirable situations have arisen, such as sex trafficking of children and adolescents.

The tourist infrastructure that serves to facilitate the accommodation of customers and helps them to enjoy a good vacation can be also, unconsciously, a space to promote and engage in sexual activities with minors.

In this sense, the tourism sector has a great social responsibility to avoid these harmful situations in the communities and, therefore, we must act together to prevent child abuse.

Royal Sun Resort rejects this type of tourism and therefore:

1. We maintain a policy of opposition to child sexual exploitation

2. We do not allow the commercialization of sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in our facilities

3. We raise awareness among our employees about the problem, and we also inform them about the existing laws and the risk of not reporting it

4. We train all the staff in order to identify and report suspicious activities

5. We work in compliance with the applicable laws and cooperate with governmental and non-governmental organizations prosecuting these offences

Procedure:

If an employee suspects that a child is suffering from abuse of any kind, he/she must notify immediately his/her manager and provide detailed information about what he/she has heard or seen.

As humans, we are committed to protecting our children and adolescents against exploitation of all kinds, both professionally and personally.

Tips for responsible travel
Tenerife boasts a wide array of tourist services that take special care of the environment: nature activities, trips to country estates and farms specializing in typical organic products, rural accommodation that blends into its surroundings, and large hotels that are committed to meeting international ecological standards under the Travelife Seal of Approval – so much so that it has become Europe's leading destination in the number of hotels that have been awarded the seal. Royal Sun Resort is proud to be one of the hotels committed with the environment and a Travelife member.

We are often asked what are the key things that travellers need to know when it comes to being responsible on their journeys around the world. Few people actually go out of their way to be irresponsible, after all, but sometimes we just need a few reminders about how to get things right while on the road. Responsible tourism is all about leaving a positive impact on not only the environment, but also the people who live in the places we choose to visit. The result being not only a more ethical and responsible trip when it comes to travellers' impacts, but also a more authentic, exciting and culturally immersive one for them too. Here is a quick guide to some of our top tips on how to be a responsible traveller.
Before you travel
Read up on local cultures and learn a few words of the local language - travelling with respect earns you respect.
Remove all excess packaging. Although we all like to treat ourselves to bits and pieces before we travel, be aware that in Tenerife recycling, or waste disposal full stop, is tricky. So leave packaging at home. And, even better, consider buying some things when you are there, thereby also supporting the local economy.
Bring environmentally friendly products with you. So, this means eco friendly sun creams, soaps, deodorants and so on, if you want to keep the environment as pristine as you found it. Especially if you are going to spend a lot of time in the water.
Ask whether there are local conservation or social projects in our Reception. We will be glad to inform you about how you can work with us to support the community
Be aware of any excursions on your trips that involve wild or captive animals. There are a lot of issues regarding responsible wildlife viewing, you can check a list of all companies which offer quality tourism services, respecting all wildlife and minimizing any potential impact their activity might have on the marine environment in www.webtenerife.co.uk
While on holiday
Hire a local guide - you'll discover more about local people, their culture, the landscape and its wildest, most wonderful spots by hiking, biking or sailing with a local expert. Plus, this is a fantastic way to support the local economy. I
Be careful what you buy. Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts.
Respect people and their local cultures. Our travel guides give insight into many of the issues here, destination by destination, from not invading people's spaces by taking endless photographs without asking, being unnecessarily noisy, to dressing inappropriately or disrespecting religious traditions. The most important thing to remember is that you are visiting people's homes, so think how you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed.
Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient - it's a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
Use water sparingly. Carbon footprint gets a lot of attention, and rightly so, but water is a vital resource and often a scarce one in tourism destinations. So, if you are being asked to monitor your usage, it is for a good reason. There is very little of it. And if a hotel has five swimming pools, a golf course and you are taking three showers a day in a country that has drought issues, think again. Water is a human right and yet tourism is one of the biggest exploiters of it.
Recycle your batteries. Lead, mercury and cadmium found in some batteries can harm the environment if not disposed of correctly. Recycling or proper disposal of batteries can prevent these dangerous elements from entering the environment. Please if you use batteries during your accommodation, recycle them on our reception.
Donate Plastic Bottle Caps: Royal Sun Resort and all the staff is committed with the community and we collect this plastic bottle caps for an organization which partners with recycling companies to buy wheelchairs for disabled children. The organization has changed the life of many children with their free donations.
When you get back
Write to your travel company, hotel or tourist board with any comments or feedback about your holiday, and especially include any suggestions on reducing environmental impacts and increasing benefits to local communities. You will find independent holiday reviews from travellers on many Responsible Travel holidays.

For any issues regarding human rights abuses or wildlife exploitation for tourism, you can contact the management of Royal Sun Resort. We will be glad to help you or contact the authorities to inform.

OUR ENVIROMENT
Santiago del Teide
An unmistakable landmark stands out in Santiago del Teide: the cliffs of Los Gigantes, towering as high as 600 m (1,970 ft) above sea level. And the municipality has other attractions provided by the sea. There are boats leaving every day from the marina to take visitors whale and dolphin watching just a few miles out. On the coast, the beach of La Arena is one of the loveliest on the Island. The Chinyero volcano and the pottery and ethnography museum of Cha Domitila are two of the municipality's other unmissable sights.
Santiago del Teide is a municipality in south-west Tenerife that ranges from the coast of Puerto Santiago to the pine forests of Mount Teide, with a difference in altitude of 1,000 m (3,280 ft). The weather here is stable all year round, which adds to the beauty of its landscapes and the pleasant temperature of the water, making Santiago del Teide a great place to spend time in the countryside and by the sea. Up in the higher parts of the municipality, the scenery reveals a contrast between volcanic landscapes, vineyards, almond and fig trees. The Chinyero volcano, in the Special Nature Reserve of El Chinyero, was responsible for the Island's latest eruption, which took place in 1909.
Although today the economy in Santiago del Teide is largely reliant on the service sector, it was traditionally based on farming and pottery, as well as fishing. The seaside town of Puerto Santiago shares the coast with the cliffs of Los Gigantes. It has a marina and a very popular black sandy beach that has been awarded a European blue flag for its clear waters. In 1960, Juan Manuel Capdevielle discovered the scenery of the cliffs of Los Gigantes and promoted the area's urbanisation in order to boost tourism. A weather station was set up there and was used to measure a variety of aspects relating to the area's climate and sea for three years – the conclusion was that it has some of the best weather conditions in the world. Its wonderful coast welcomes several species of cetaceans to live in its waters, and visitors have the chance of seeing them on special boat trips.

PLACES OF INTEREST
- Casa del Patio
This stately home was built in the second half of the 17th century, but has been turned into a country hotel. It is a traditional nobleman's house from that era and its architecture clearly defines the family's social position, with its own threshing fields, wine press and granary.

- Chinyero; Special Nature Reserve
Prepare to discover an area of 24 square kilometres (6,000 acres) with great geological significance between the municipalities of Santiago del Teide, El Tanque and Garachico, Here you will get to see recent lava flows creating a unique insight into the Canary Islands' volcanic history. Don't miss the chance to see the area's incredible aerolian habitats (with strong winds and high salt content), where the species that inhabit them have to survive on particles carried in the wind due to the lack of vegetation. This is like an open-air science lab thanks to its varying degrees of colonisation. Get ready to spend an unforgettable day of outdoor learning and fun.
If there's anything here that truly catches every visitor's eye that's the majestic sight of the volcano that lends its name to this nature area: El Chinyero. Standing 1,560 m (5,118 ft) above sea level, it is impossible to overlook. Located north-west of Pico Viejo, a walk around the volcano encourages visitors to picture what it must have felt like to be there on 18 November 1909, when the earth ripped open and began to spurt out lava for ten days in a row, leaving behind it a dense column of tephra and gas that could be seen from the nearby island of La Palma.
Municipalities: Santiago del Teide, El Tanque and Garachico.
Expanse: 24 square km (6,000 acres).
How to get there:
You can get here from several different points.
To access the northern part of the Reserve, you should come from the municipality of El Tanque, where a paved road sets off that then becomes an dirt track as it ventures into the Reserve. Another possible route travels along the northern part from the neighbourhood of San Juan del Reparo, in Garachico. A number of tracks branch off from there that journey into or travel around this protected natural area.
You can also come from the east from the neighbourhood of La Montañeta, in Garachico. From La Montañeta, take the TF-373 from the area of La Vega in Icod de los Vinos and drive through the Reserve, which leads out to San José de Los Llanos, in El Tanque.
To access from the west, come from the town of San José de los Llanos, which is on the edge of this protected natural area.
From the south, you can access the Reserve from Santiago del Teide on the TF-82. Drive up to Valle de Arriba and then about 400 m (437 yards) along a paved road to the Reserve.

- La Arena Beach
This beach is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. The peaceful surroundings and calm waves make it ideal for the whole family. Moreover, it has been flying a Blue Flag for 27 years, which guarantees the exceptional quality of its services and water conditions.
Treat yourself to a swim in its clear waters and a stroll along the sea front. The beach is located in Puerto de Santiago (in Santiago del Teide) and boasts a number of tourist establishments and restaurants where you can try some typical Canarian cuisine.
If you are a fan of scuba diving, this is one of the Island's most famous spots. A range of diving clubs choose this beach for their excursions thanks to the wealth of life on its ocean floors.
When you visit this beach, you won't want to miss the daily spectacle created by the bright colours of the sun setting over the island of La Gomera.
Useful information
• Location: Puerto Santiago, Santiago del Teide.
• Composition: Black sand.
• Means of access: On foot (easy) or by car.
• Disabled access: Yes.
• Type of beach: Urban.
• Amenities: Toilets, foot showers, showers, waste bins, municipal cleaning service, tourist information, public phones, bars and restaurants, sun loungers and parasols for hire, and a scuba diving area.
• Parking facilities: Yes.
• Bus service: Yes (inter-city).

- The Church of San Fernando Rey
Built by Fernando del Hoyo Solorzano, the church contains 18th century figures and features an impressive hemispherical dome.

- The Cliffs of Los Gigantes
The name Los Gigantes (meaning The Giants) needs no explanation. These huge cliffs in Santiago del Teide are part of Teno County Park and tower up to 600 m (1,970 ft) high, plummeting straight down into the sea to create a sight that is dizzying to behold, even from below. At the foot of the cliffs, the ocean floors are some 30 m (100 ft) deep and are home to a wealth of sea life, drawing in divers and deep-sea fishing fans.

- The pottery centre and ethnography museum of Cha Domitila
Located in the village of Arguayo, there is a house that contains the pottery centre and museum. The house features traditional Canarian architecture with a central patio and a fountain. Before the museum was brought here, the building was in ruins. Inside, visitors will discover the traditional technique used to work the clay and will see some of the most typical pieces of pottery. This craft is considered to have been inherited from the Guanche people, which is an important factor when studying its evolution.