Vacation rentals: Eco-friendly practices from Matthieu, City Manager in the Arcachon Basin

Following our introduction to the Tourist Note, we want to continue sharing information on how to make your vacation rentals more eco-friendly. And if you are a traveler, we are also committed to helping you find greener accommodations for your holidays.

Your Welkeys bnb property management service would like to approach the topic of eco-friendly vacation rentals from a different perspective today. Specifically, we want to share the eco-friendly best practices of Matthieu, our City Manager in the Arcachon Basin region. All of this is part of our ongoing effort to make your rentals and stays more sustainable.

Ecological commitment in the Arcachon Basin

First, let’s take an overview of ecology in the Arcachon Basin, specifically the measures implemented to preserve the environment in this region full of natural treasures. This particular area of Gironde is undeniably committed to preserving its environment and biodiversity. Protecting it is even considered one of the city's top priorities.

Indeed, the city of Arcachon is aware that the changes made now will have a positive impact on the environment and quality of life in the years to come. This is why it manages the territory sustainably, trying as much as possible to preserve its forests, green spaces, flora, fauna, and coastline. More traditionally, the Arcachon town hall has focused on waste management and recycling. Let’s not forget that recycling waste remains an essential step in saving the planet.

More broadly, throughout the entire Arcachon Basin, various organizations are working for the environment. We would like to highlight the Ecocitoyens du Bassin d'Arcachon association and the Bassin d'Arcachon Écologie association. For both organizations, it is essential to mobilize to maintain the region's balance.

This harmony is primarily threatened by human activity. While the basin's appeal is beneficial for the economy, it also leads to the construction of more and more buildings and structures to accommodate new residents and vacationers. Consequently, urbanization is the main threat to the landscape and biodiversity in the area.

For both associations, safeguarding the ecological heritage of the Arcachon Basin relies above all on education and teaching people about the impact of human activities on the environment. Individual awareness is essential for changing mindsets and, subsequently, behaviors. Nature reserves are available to visit, allowing people to see with their own eyes what human populations are destroying. This education also involves sharing knowledge about the state of the environment to spark this awareness.

Matthieu’s best practices for vacation rentals

The vacation rental market is very active in the region, especially in the Arcachon Basin. Excluding hotels and campsites, there are no fewer than 2,500 vacation rental listings on booking platforms in Arcachon alone. Consequently, the region attracts a huge number of travelers, especially during the summer, which also leads to an increase in pollution during that period.

To reduce the impact of vacation rentals, our City Manager in the region has decided to implement certain practices to foster a positive impact from Welkeys vacation rentals. For example, some owners in the region have installed remote heating controllers to avoid energy overconsumption. In some other properties managed by Welkeys, water filters have been installed to purify water and avoid the use of plastic bottles.

Finally, in some rentals, when breakfast is provided, fruit that can no longer be consumed because it is too ripe is donated to a company that turns it into smoothies, juices, and jams. This allows for a discount on the purchase of products made from this fruit. It is a great initiative that has won over many travelers.

Here are some easily implemented practices to make your vacation rentals more eco-friendly!

Matthieu’s extra touch: With his local concierges, they try to travel as much as possible on foot, by tram, or by bike. This is mainly possible in Bordeaux, where their office is located, and for certain properties managed by Welkeys.

Welkeys’ commitments to fighting tourism-related pollution

In general, Welkeys tries to implement habits and actions to be part of a truly ecological approach and have a real positive impact on the environment. Making a vacation rental more eco-friendly is not easy when different types of travelers follow one another in properties with different lifestyles.

Our vacation rental management service includes providing hotel-quality linens supplied by a laundry service. This method allows for significant water savings in the properties. Indeed, industrial laundry services save 60% more water compared to using an individual washing machine for cleaning linens.

Across our entire management portfolio, we encourage our owners, City Managers, and concierges to provide specific equipment, such as installing charging stations for electric cars whenever possible. This is the case, for example, in the garage of this superb 3-star villa in Cavalaire.

To limit the travel of concierges for the check-ins and check-outs they must attend, City Managers try to assign specific geographic zones to different concierges to limit their daily travel. Covering shorter distances allows them to get around on foot, by bike, or by public transport.

Finally, all year round, Welkeys participates in a donation drive with Planet Mer. By booking through the Welkeys Club, you have the option to donate one euro to this organization. This association fights against the degradation of aquatic life.

By sharing these eco-friendly practices for your vacation rentals, we hope to have provided you with all the tools needed to reduce the environmental impact of your properties. As a traveler, we also hope you are now better equipped to understand the influence that vacation rentals can have.