Innovation

Grootbos is a breathtaking, Award Winning- 5 Star Nature Reserve located in South Africa located near Herman. Grootbos is a resort that offers luxury lodging with true African Culture. Grootbos’ General Manager Sean Ingles said that “the driving force for the property was conservation”. The Grootbos hotel connects luxury with sustainability, the property constantly is “researching, innovating and pioneering new ways of doing things, and winning many eco-tourism awards along the way.”

The unique eco-system allows guest to get a once in a lifetime experience. The property has 2,500 Hectares (6,177 acres) of Pristine Wilderness, 100 Endangered Plant Species, 800 Plant Species: 6 Newly Discovered here, 3 Milkwood Forests over 1,000 years old, the Wonder of Marine Big Five and Mammals of Conservation Concerns. Guests are able to do activities such as such as shark cage diving, whale watching, marine safari, and a progressive tourism package. The Progressive tourism is an exciting experience that gives guest a unique outlook on the environment and how important it is to maintain it.

Inspiration

Mr. Ingles explained that at first universities and scientists overlooked the area, saying there was not much there. However, the Lutzeyer family knew Groostbos was in a unique location of South Africa, so they decided to bring on a Botanist who is still with the company to this day. That is when they discovered Groostbos was located in an extremely diverse ecosystem in the world. They realized the area needed to be protected, so the owners wanted to buy as much land as possible, to continue to research, protect and share its beauty with the rest of the world.

Overall impact

Mr. Ingles explained each quarter the property generates a sustainability report to make sure they are on track with their goals. The report is made up of different sections; Carbon Emissions, Solar Produced, Total Water Extraction, Use of Petrol, Diesel and LPG Gas, Total amount of Waste. This report make Grootbos goals, specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and timely. It also allows for to control the amount of resources being used, for example if the amount of water usage increases the report has a section where reasons must be listed.

Other than running a sustainable building, Grootbos has a foundation which began in 2003 when the owners noticed there was a need to help the residents in the communities. The lodge realized that many of the community people who were applying for jobs at the property did not have proper qualifications or education and instead of turning their back in the community they decided to help. The foundation has programs named Siyakhula, Green Futures, Football Foundation and Volunteer Programme. “Over 7000 community members benefited last year from initiatives put in place by the Grootbos Foundation”.

Business benefit

Grootbos has won numerous awards for their tourism efforts and initiatives with their Grootbos Foundation: Tatler “Best Family Hotel in the world”, Andrew Harper “Hideaway of the Year”, Fodor’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World”, National Geographic “Unique Lodges of the World”, Satoa “2013- Best Hotel”, Tatler “The 101 Best Hotels in the World”, Tatler “Best Family Hotel in the World”, Andrew Harper “Hideaway of the Year” to name a few.

Hotel Business wise, Grootbos has between 17,000 to 18,000 room nights a year, on average the rates are 6,300 Rand (US$ 465) per person. Their guests choose Grootbos because of it is sheer beauty and to take part of its one of a kind experiences.

Social and environmental benefit

Grootbos Foundation's goal is to enhance the quality of life in their community, it contributes both socially and environmentally. Between employing and educating locals through Grootbos Foundation not only are the employees impacted but so are their families. Children are getting better grades in school and learning team work at a young age. Environmentally, South Africa’s government is progressive in recycling so Grootbos recycles everything that can be recycled. Grootbos also monitors resource usage daily. The lodge continues to research and discover new plant species and wildlife treasures.

Interview

Sean Ingles, General Manager