• Short Description of the Practice:

Estival Park Silmar (Estival SILMAR), a 4-star Superior hotel in Platja de La Pineda, Tarragona, is part of the Estival Park Resort managed by Estival Group Hotels and Resorts. Recently awarded the Biosphere Certified badge (2025), it demonstrates strong sustainability commitments. The hotel follows the "3Rs" principle (reduce, recycle, reuse), monitors waste management, and sources local, sustainable products. Energy efficiency is a priority, with a focus on clean, renewable energy. Additionally, some properties within Estival Group, including "Estival Park" (referring to the resort complex that includes Silmar), have received funding from the European Union's NextGenerationEU fund for projects related to self-consumption and storage with renewable energy sources, as well as the implementation of renewable thermal systems. In fact, the broader Estival Group has been certified to source 100% renewable energy for its hotels since 2020. This highlights its dedication to sustainable operations and responsible tourism.

• Implementation Period:
• Status:

[  ] Planned [  ] Pilot phase [  ] Fully implemented [X] Ongoing and evolving

• Thematic Areas Addressed:

[X] Farm to Fork / Sustainable Food Systems
[   ] Waste Management
[X] Resource Efficiency
[   ] Other: ___________

• Describe how the practice aligns with the selected Thematic Areas:

Estival SILMAR's practices are strongly aligned with Resource Efficiency, a key thematic area of the Circular Tourism Albania project, as evidenced by its Biosphere Sustainable certification. The hotel is committed to implementing sustainable operations and infrastructure, focusing on making efficient use of resources and adopting a circular economy approach. Here are a few examples:

• Estival Group, which operates Estival SILMAR, is dedicated to phasing out single-use plastics. The hotel uses amenities that meet the UNE EN 13432:2001 standard and are EU-certified as "OXO-biodegradable."
• The hotel also actively involves its guests in its sustainability efforts. Through awareness campaigns, in-room messaging, and clear signage, it encourages guests to be mindful of their water and energy consumption. The hotel also promotes the "3Rs"—reduce, reuse, and recycle—within its facilities, providing guests with clear options for responsible waste disposal. Finally, Estival SILMAR’s gastronomic offer specifically prioritises and publicises products from local agriculture and KM0. This initiative underscores their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

• • Explain how this activity fits within the tourism sector:

Estival SILMAR's activities are deeply embedded within the hotel and resort operation segment of the tourism sector. As a 4-star Superior hotel located within the larger Estival Park Resort in Platja de La Pineda, Tarragona, it forms a core part of Estival Group's extensive offerings. Estival Group, which manages Estival SILMAR, specialises in global accommodation, leisure, and hospitality services. This encompasses a wide range of tourism sector activities like Hotel and accommodation operation, sport and wellness facilities and restaurant and gastronomy services.

• What learning value for VET training, curriculum development or capacity-building of professionals
  does the practice offer?

This practice offers significant learning value for VET training:

• For Hospitality and Tourism, the hotel's sustainable practices serve as a practical case study in green operations and supply chain management. Curriculum can incorporate its approach to green procurement (e.g., EU-certified amenities), resource efficiency (KM0 sourcing and food waste prevention), and guest engagement (e.g. the hotel’s awareness campaigns on water/energy conservation), providing students with hands-on examples of sustainable business models.
• In Mechanics and Plumbing, the adoption of energy efficiency measures like LED lighting offers a real-world learning module on sustainable building management and the implementation of energy-saving technologies.
• In Culinary Arts, the hotel’s commitment to using local products and KM0 sourcing provides a real-world case study for students to learn about and implement sustainable food systems and creative menu development.

The Estival Silmar platja de la Pineda offers valuable learning opportunities for professionals, even with limited resources. Its practices show that sustainability is not just about expensive technology; it's also about smart management and behavior, for example:

• Low-cost campaigns to encourage hotel guests to use less water, such as creating messaging that highlights
  water usage statistics.
• Create and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing lights and thermostats, emphasising
  operational discipline over costly upgrades.