Topic : Circularity of tourism services

The experiences of San Severino Park Hotel and ETIKÉ Manifatture illustrate how small, coordinated steps can aggregate into substantial impacts, offering replicable models for other tourism companies. By embracing circular economy principles, SMEs can enhance their resilience, reduce their environmental footprint, and serve as leaders in sustainable innovation.

Nestled in the rural village of Mercato San Severino in Salerno province, the San Severino Park Hotel is a shining example of how circular economy principles can seamlessly integrate into daily operations. Through a well-crafted internal policy, the hotel has embraced a commitment to sustainability, inspiring both staff and guests to contribute to a greener future.
At the heart of its approach are initiatives designed to minimize environmental impact. Staff are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices, such as conserving energy and efficiently managing waste. In the kitchen, the focus is on zero-kilometer, seasonal menus that reduce food miles while guaranteeing freshness. Leftover food is creatively reused or repurposed, aligning with the hotel’s zero-waste philosophy. Plastic and disposable products have been entirely phased out, replaced with eco-friendly alternatives, while guest amenities feature organic cosmetics crafted from natural, sustainable ingredients. To further enhance energy efficiency, the hotel has installed photovoltaic panels, embodying its dedication to resource conservation.
By weaving environmental priorities into its operational fabric, the San Severino Park Hotel demonstrates how even small, incremental steps can collectively lead to significant sustainability achievements.

A few kilometers away, in the town of Baronissi, remarkable example of sustainable innovation can be found. ETIKÉ Manifatture, an innovative start-up in the ceramics sector, exemplifies the transformative power of circular economy principles when paired with strategic financial support. With funding from the national “Smart & Start Italia” scheme, the company developed an ingenious sustainable production line centered around a groundbreaking material: LAVIC.
This innovation repurposes leftover ceramic materials from workshops, recreating the look and functionality of natural lava stone without the need to extract volcanic resources. By doing so, ETIKÉ not only addresses environmental erosion but also slashes production costs, enabling access to a niche market with minimal competition. Their methods significantly reduce energy and material waste, making the company a beacon of sustainable manufacturing in the ceramics industry.

The experiences of San Severino Park Hotel and ETIKÉ Manifatture underline the importance of integrating diverse measures to achieve tangible environmental and economic impacts, and they highlight valuable lessons for businesses looking to transition toward sustainability:

1. Step-by-Step Transition Pathways: Incremental adoption of sustainability measures, such as reducing energy and water consumption, reusing materials, and managing waste, can generate significant cumulative effects.
2. Internal Sustainability Policies: Engaging both staff and leadership in sustainability initiatives fosters a culture of responsibility and innovation.
3. Technological and Financial Support: Access to funding and expertise is critical for overcoming initial barriers and enabling the implementation of circular economy practices.
4. Community and Local Impact: Prioritizing local supply chains and zero-kilometer products benefits not only the environment but also the local economy.

The incorporation of circular practices in the tourism sector has led to significant best practices, such as collaboration with local producers, utilization of local and seasonal food in catering, promotion of local culture and traditions, and collaboration with sustainable tour operators. By establishing strong partnerships with local farmers, artisans, and suppliers, these SMEs not only support the local economy but also reduce transportation emissions and foster a sense of community. By prioritizing local and seasonal ingredients, SMEs contribute to circularity by minimizing food waste, supporting local farmers, and providing visitors with an authentic culinary experience. These practices have demonstrated a positive impact and high replicability potential. Lessons learned include the importance of building strong partnerships, ensuring quality and sustainability standards, effective communication, and aligning initiatives with customer expectations. By sharing experiences and lessons, SMEs can inspire others to embrace circularity, fostering a sustainable and enriching tourism industry.

One notable project is the “Circular Economy Package” initiated by the European Union. The project aimed to promote the transition towards a circular economy by establishing targets, regulations, and incentives for waste management, resource efficiency, and sustainable production and consumption. Italy actively participated in implementing the Circular Economy Package, leading to improvements in waste management practices, increased recycling rates, and the development of innovative circular business models. Lessons learned from this project include the importance of strong policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration for successful implementation.

Another significant initiative is the “National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism” launched by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. The plan aimed to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism sector by promoting sustainable practices, cultural heritage preservation, and local development. Through this initiative, Italy focused on improving the sustainability performance of tourism businesses, fostering responsible tourism behavior, and supporting the development of sustainable tourism destinations. Lessons learned from this initiative include the need for capacity-building programs, public-private partnerships, and the integration of sustainability principles into tourism policies and strategies.

The circularity of tourism services is vital for achieving sustainable practices in the twin transition. The lessons that have emerged that are relevant to the topic are:

• Integration of circular principles into policy frameworks is crucial. Strong policies with clear regulations, targets, and incentives encourage SMEs to adopt circular practices, providing a supportive environment for implementation.
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration are essential. Involving SMEs, local communities, tourism operators, and industry associations fosters a collective approach. Collaboration platforms and knowledge sharing drive the adoption of circular practices.
• Capacity building and awareness are vital. Targeted training and sharing best practices bridge the knowledge gap, empowering SMEs to implement circular strategies effectively.
• Financial support is needed to overcome constraints. Exploring funding options, incentives, and collaborative approaches encourages SMEs to invest in circular initiatives and drive the transition.
• Effective communication strategies that highlight the benefits of circularity stimulate demand for sustainable tourism services.

By incorporating these lessons into future projects, Italy can accelerate the twin transition by promoting circularity in tourism. Strong policy integration, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, financial support, and effective communication strategies are key to achieving a sustainable and circular tourism sector.