Relais & Châteaux, a non-profit association, has chosen the symbolic date of May 12, the day of its founding in 1954, to celebrate the gradual reopening of its establishments around the world, by giving a voice to the change makers within the network.
Through their testimonials, those who shape the future of the hospitality industry explain their hope of building back better after this time for reflection.
Pioneering a more conscious approach to travel
67 years ago, eight hoteliers and chefs in France, united by shared values, signed the birth certificate of what has become the most prestigious hospitality association in the world. Pioneering the art of slow travel, the network brings together women and men passionate about a place and promoting their culture and cuisine, offering travellers a real connection to local people, while playing an active role in the preservation of their respective environment. Established in all regions of the world, from Tokyo to New York, from Provence to the plains of Montana, via the islands of Oceania or the savannah in Africa, the 580 properties located in more than 60 countries are each the embodiment of a living heritage.
Conscious travel is rooted in Relais & Châteaux’s DNA and in its sustainability initiatives. The members join forces alongside international NGOs such as Slow Food International and Ethic Ocean in the support of good causes: protection of marine species (Relais & Châteaux chefs committed in 2009 to stop serving Bluefin tuna, and the fish stock is doing much butter now), fight against overfishing (petitioning against electric pulse fishing in 2018), safeguarding heirloom ingredients at risk of extinction (adding products to Slow Food’s Ark of Taste), promoting best practice beekeeping in favour of local biodiversity, etc.
A renaissance and accelerating effects of the pandemic
” Like all the major players in the sector, Relais & Châteaux has withstood the biggest crisis it has ever faced, and the situation is still critical in some countries. Today, hope is reborn and most of our properties throughout the world are starting to welcome guests again to a new and different world. The pandemic has changed us in many ways and our clients are looking to travel back better. Now more than ever, travellers are searching for what Relais & Châteaux do best: authentic experiences that are off the beaten path and respectful of the environment. As of early May, the number of bookings at Relais & Châteaux for the summer has already returned to 2019 levels, and it is even higher in countries such as the United States and England. Some properties are almost full until the end of October in those countries,” explains Philippe Gombert, International President of Relais & Châteaux.
While the pandemic affected the tourism industry in an unprecedented way, this sudden interruption allowed many owners and managers of Relais & Châteaux properties to take a step back – a time to consider their profession from a new angle and generate ideas to push their vision of hospitality one-step further.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
