Exploring Sustainable Travel with AliKats Luxury Morzine Chalets

[AD.PR] Most of us are familiar with the impact the travel and tourism sector has on the environment. With food waste, energy inefficiency, carbon emissions and the use of single use plastics, it's a sector that holds massive impact on the planet. With that being said, there are businesses out there who are inspiring sustainable travel. AliKats Mountain Holidays, a luxury chalet resort in Morzine, France are promoting a force for good. They practice sustainable travel and offer high end luxury, with a product that goes beyond profit!

Sustainable Travel with AliKats

AliKats Mountain Holidays offer low impact chalet holidays in the French Alps. They've recently won a Global Good Award for their achievements in social and environmental sustainability. Their mission is to create a sustainable travel option by declaring climate emergency, getting to a carbon neutral status and practicing a zero waste philosophy. Here are some ways AliKats are promoting sustainable travel:

• Declaring a climate emergency
• Getting to carbon neutral status
• Adopting a permaculture ethos in catering
• Decarbonising transport
• Being energy efficient
• Utilising local small businesses
• Speaking on climate change podcasts and panels
• Reducing waste and plastics

AliKats are declaring a climate emergency

Temperatures in the Alps are rising at almost twice the global average. Glaciers are disappearing and snow cover is predicted to shrink by 35% by 2035. It's clear that our planet is suffering a climate emergency which requires immediate action by governments, industry and businesses across the world. Because of this, AliKats are declaring a climate emergency as part of the Tourism Declares initiative. They're committed to setting a science based emission reduction target at the pace that science says is necessary to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C.

Getting to Carbon Neutral Status

AliKats have a four part climate action plan which is designed to help them get to a carbon neutral status. They've measured their carbon footprint and pledge to ensure they're on track to cut carbon emissions in line with advice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC states that by 2030, we need to cut global carbon emissions to at least 55% below what they were in 2017 to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming.

Adopting a Permaculture Ethos in Catering

AliKats are promoting sustainable travel by ensuring their food practices work in harmony with the natural environment. They're able to sustain food production for generations to come by taking care of the environment and it's animal inhabitants. AliKats are just getting started on their permaculture journey, but they've made great progress by raising chickens, setting up vegetable gardens and planting fruit and nut trees that will form the centre of their future food forest. Their hope is that the food forest will eventually contain a wide variety of perennial plants enabling them to introduce new fruits and vegetables to their menu. The food waste from AliKats chalets feeds their chickens and provide nutrients for the soil in which they grow food, which in turn feeds them and their guests. It’s a wonderfully efficient cycle!

Decarbonising transport

Around 75% of the carbon emissions associated with tourism in the northern Alps are from travel. And 75% of that is coming from flying. AliKats are decarbonising transport by providing alternative options of road and rail travel over planes for all their team members to get to and from the resort. As much as possible they promote alternative travel options for their guests too. These initiatives support the important Montagne Verte campaign to establish a commercial train line between Lille and the Northern-Alps, by creating a demand for train travel to Morzine.

Being Energy Efficient

All AliKats properties, including chalets and resort buildings are powered by electricity from 100% renewable energy. This energy specifically comes from river fed dams from a local source in France. The chalets use LED light bulbs and the kitchen runs off a wood pellet boiler. Guest laundry is also changed optionally throughout their stay to save on water and electricity.

Utilising Local Small Businesses

AliKats are committed to benefiting the local community. They purchase food, goods and services, and employ people from the local community as much as possible. In addition to this, AliKats also try to employ people on a permanent basis as opposed to having seasonal staff.

Reducing Waste and Plastics

Adopting a zero waste approach is helpful as it prevents the amount of waste that is either burnt or discharged into the ocean. AliKats have embraced many different approaches to minimising their waste impact by implementing the following:

• The repair and upcycle of furniture and white goods
• Partnering with Crevasse Clothing for ski clothing rentals
• Old towels are either reused as cleaning cloths or go to charity and low income families
• Glass jars are used for food storage and food deliveries
• Washing up brushes are made of natural materials
• Various meats are purchased directly from the suppliers without plastic packaging
• Large plastic food pots are repurposed for product storage and waste management
• Food is delivered in reusable crates
• Partnering with Wild England providing eco-friendly luxury bathroom toiletries

Speaking on Climate Change Podcasts and Panels

Al Judge, the co-founder of AliKats believes it's incredibly important to speak out about climate change. Alongside AliKats, he is also a sustainability speaker who's appeared on numerous podcasts and online webinars. Judge speaks at live industry climate summits, events and educational workshops promoting and educating others on sustainable travel.

Introducing Wild England

Wild England are paving the way for incorporating eco-friendly toiletries in the tourism industry. They're encouraging businesses to make the switch from disposable plastics to environmentally friendly refillable glass products. Not only that, but they're providing an incredibly luxurious product. I've had the pleasure of experiencing the Wild England sweet orange and cardamom gift set which has proudly been sitting in my upstairs bathroom for the last couple of weeks. The scent is amazingly pungent which not only fills my bathroom, but lasts on my skin for hours too. I've really enjoyed using these products and love having a little bit of sustainable luxury in my home.

Wild England Discount Code

If you would like to experience Wild England I currently have a 15% discount code which is CLAIREMAC15

AliKats Discount Code

To benefit from a €100 per person discount on a catered chalet holiday with AliKats Mountain Holidays in January or March 2025, please use this code  CLAIREMAC15, when you make your booking via email ( bookings@alikats.eu).