Entrepreneurs Don Ramon Bagatsing and Alessandra Atienza, the dynamic couple behind the first green service hotel in the Philippines, take the lead in championing green living and sustainable business through its chain of co-friendly hotels strategically located in various travel destinations in the country.
Eco Hotel President and CEO Alessandra, the creative force behind the brand, founded Eco Hotel in 2013. The business became the pioneer in promoting ecotourism in the Philippines by advocating development that balances social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The concept of Eco Hotel was born at a time when the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030.
“I am not a hardcore environmentalist but I do what I must to recycle what goes to waste. Coming from a developing nation and growing up poor, wastage was painful yet it taught me a plethora of lessons in life,” shares Alessandra who has 31 years of experience in real estate development, leasing, finance, and hotel operations.
With ecotourism as a primary focus of government sustainability programs, Eco Hotel has been classified as the first green service hotel in the Philippines, a recognition for environmentally responsible lodging that follows the practices of green living. It promotes sustainability by harnessing the power of nature as it consciously upcycles, reuses, and redesigns discarded materials utilized in every Eco Hotel space to minimize its impact to the environment.
Eco Hotel Chairman and Chief Vibe Officer, Don Ramon, who on his own, is also a successful entrepreneur, says that together with his business partner and wife, Alessandra, they saw the potential of the tourism industry and countryside development. In the last 13 years, they acquired land of more than 200 hectares, enough for 10 years of development, in 20 potentially high growth areas which are prime tourist destinations in the Philippines. Don Ramon, with his expertise in real estate, is the proponent for furthering the growth of their business as he oversees its expansion to other parts of the country.
With Eco Hotel as an independent, locally-owned and responsible business, Don Ramon and Alessandra believe that they have the power to promote positive change in the society to inspire a sustainable economy. As business partners, they work together in contributing to the society and help transform the communities they serve to become environmental advocates and instruments of change.
Showcasing how recyclables like wood from old homes can be used to build a structure, Cabins by Eco Hotel in Tagaytay became the first Eco Hotel built in 2015. The use of sustainable materials like bricks and integration of biophilic design and upcycled artworks inspired trendy and environmentally-themed spaces to meet the rising demand for modern, aesthetic, and functional yet affordable accommodations. Since its first branch, Eco Hotel grew and expanded to tap unchartered territory.
Eco Hotel’s expansion plans include building and operating more branches of Eco Hotels in prime tourist spots and future nature destinations in the Philippines. To date, there are five fully operational eco-friendly hotels under the Eco Hotel chain and three in Pops District (Commercial Walking Street) situated in major tourism destinations across the country. Under the brand Eco Hotel, locations are Surf Kamp Caliraya Lake, Containers Tagaytay, Cabins Tagaytay, Villas Mataasnakahoy Batangas, and Suites El Nido. Pops District commercial walking streets are located in El Nido and Puerto Princesa while Cloud9 Siargao is now on its way to reopening.
Every year, Eco Hotel has been a proud and constant recipient of the Agoda’s Golden Circle Awards under numerous categories raising the level of Eco Hotel at par with well-known international hotel brands. The award gives recognition to property partners with superior service, excellent reviews, competitive rates, high customer response rate, and flexibility. For information about Eco Hotel, visit https://ecohotels.com.ph/.
Originally published on Business Mirror.
