From May 26 to June 1, the Sustainability Week brought together initiatives from across Latin America to promote conscious tourism through environmental education, the promotion of sustainable experiences, and collaboration across the travel ecosystem. Organized by Turtech, Fundación Plan 21, and Preferred by Nature, with support from PromPerú, Perú Travel and Biosphere, this initiative became a key space for rethinking tourism toward a fairer, regenerative, and planet-centered model.
Why does this week matter?
Tourism accounts for 10% of the global GDP and plays a major role in Latin America’s economy. However, it’s also responsible for 8.8% of global CO₂ emissions. Sustainability Week emerges as a response to this challenge, promoting action, education, and collective commitment.
Over seven days, the event featured:
- A virtual showcase of sustainable travel experiences to inspire and facilitate responsible tourism choices.
- A free education platform with webinars and on-demand content covering certifications, sustainability practices, and environmental education.
- Visibility opportunities for tourism businesses integrating sustainability into their core mission.
More info at: sxs.turtech.travel
Las Qolqas: A Model for Regenerative Travel
As part of the week’s highlights, Turtech published an article on their blog titled “Regenerative Travel: Las Qolqas EcoLodge in Peru and Its Holistic Sustainability Model,” where we are honored to be featured as a regional example of ODS 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) in action.
Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley in Ollantaytambo, Las Qolqas has embraced a 360° model of responsible tourism that:
- Grows organic food on-site using greenhouses and terraces, reducing carbon emissions and fostering food sovereignty.
- Reuses treated wastewater through biodigesters and artificial wetlands.
- Operates largely on solar energy and uses low-impact, locally sourced architecture.
- Creates dignified jobs while training the local community in sustainable hospitality.
- Reinvests 100% of tourism profits into social and environmental projects in the Patacancha river basin.
Read the full article here: Regenerative Travel – Las Qolqas EcoLodge
Join Purposeful Travel
At Las Qolqas, we celebrate initiatives like Sustainability Week that remind us tourism can be a powerful tool to protect ecosystems and empower communities. As the article states, “To thrive, our neighbors must thrive too.”
To everyone already walking this path—thank you. And to those considering it, we invite you to help us build a future where travel leaves more than memories: it leaves a positive legacy.