Title - Name
Fogo Island Inn
Scope / Sector / Industry
Hotel
Country / Region
Canada, Fogo Island
Why is it good practice?
Fogo Island Inn is considered a good example of a regenerative tourism business, as its operation is not limited only to sustainable environmental management, but also aims to substantially revitalize the local community and economy. The hotel was created in an isolated area that had been hit by economic decline and contributed to the creation of new jobs, the strengthening of local professions and the preservation of the island’s cultural identity. At the same time, it collaborates with residents, artisans and local producers, so that the economic benefits remain in the area. Its architecture and services are based on respect for the natural landscape and tradition, while avoiding the logic of mass tourism. In addition, it encourages visitors to actively participate in local life and gain authentic experiences. In this way, Fogo Island Inn does not simply seek to reduce the negative impacts of tourism, but to leave a positive social, cultural and environmental footprint on the place.
How is it applied?
Fogo Island Inn is located on Fogo Island, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, an isolated area of the North Atlantic that for decades was based almost exclusively on cod fishing. The history of the hotel is directly linked to the effort to revitalize the local society and economy, after the great crisis caused by the collapse of fishing activity in the 1990s. Its creation did not have the sole objective of developing a luxury tourist unit, but of creating a new model of development that would be based on the place, the people and the cultural identity of the region.
The idea for the hotel came from Zita Cobb, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who came from Fogo Island. After working for years in the technology sector, she returned to her place of origin with the aim of contributing to the regeneration of the local community. Through the Shorefast Foundation, a social organization he founded, he designed a tourism development model that would operate for the benefit of society and not exclusively for the production of profit. Thus, the Fogo Island Inn, which officially opened in 2013, was designed as a social enterprise, where a significant portion of the income is reinvested in the community and in local cultural, educational and entrepreneurial activities.
The hotel has 29 suites and is characterized by a special aesthetic that respects the natural environment and the traditional architecture of the island. Its construction was carried out in a way that minimizes the alteration of the landscape, while local materials and traditional techniques were used. Characteristic is the use of piles that support the building, as is done in other buildings on the island, supporting the hotel while minimizing its footprint and impact on the land. Accordingly, regarding the aesthetics of its spaces, many of the furniture, fabrics and decorative elements were created by island residents, which strengthened local craftsmanship and contributed to the preservation of traditional skills. Thus, the hotel’s architecture functions not only as an aesthetic element, but also as a means of connecting the visitor with the place and its history.
In this context, it is important to mention that the visitor has the opportunity to purchase furniture, fabrics and other objects created by local craftsmen through the program and online store “Fogo Island Workshops”, which is one of the initiatives of the Shorefast Foundation and is indirectly linked to the Fogo Island Inn. This is an action that strengthens local craftsmanship and economy, while at the same time contributing to the preservation of traditional techniques, within the context of the broader philosophy of regenerative tourism that characterizes the business.
The services offered by Fogo Island Inn go beyond the conventional concept of hospitality. Although it is a luxurious accommodation of high standards, the experience it provides is based mainly on authenticity and a connection with nature and the local community. Guests have the opportunity to participate in activities such as:
- Beach walking
- Biking / Wilderness cycling
- Birdwatching
- Hiking / Wilderness exploration
- Bushcraft
- Cold plunge
- Film screenings
- Fishing with local fishermen
- Kayaking and water activities
- Rowing with a traditional boat
- Sauna and relaxation
- Stargazing
- Island orientation tours with local guides
- Visits to workshops and cultural sites
- Picking wild berries and flowers
- Cultural and storytelling programs
- Wildlife and whale watching excursions
- Tasting experiences such as a traditional “boil-up” meal
- Craft workshops, etc. (e.g. introduction to traditional shipbuilding)
- Gastronomic experiences with local products
- Other events (event calendar)
More generally, the hotel encourages the so-called “slow travel”, i.e. a slower and more meaningful way of traveling, where the guest does not function simply as a consumer of services but as an active member of the experience.
Particular importance is also given to gastronomy. The hotel restaurant uses mainly local raw materials, such as fish, seafood, wild herbs and products from small producers in the area. In this way, local production is strengthened and the need for imported products is reduced. The company’s priority is to source all raw materials from the island itself. Specifically, it follows the 80/20 rule: 80% of the ingredients it uses come from the province of Newfoundland & Labrador, while the remaining 20% follows the sustainable supply chain defined as follows: Canada – North America – traditional international trading partners – rest of the world.
Fogo Island Inn is considered a model of regenerative tourism because it does not limit itself to reducing the negative impacts of tourism, as is usually the case in sustainable tourism, but seeks to create a positive impact on the local community, economy and environment. Its operation is based on the idea that tourism can be a tool for the regeneration of a place and not a factor of exploitation or alteration.
On a social level, the hotel has contributed significantly to the preservation of cultural identity and the strengthening of local pride. Residents actively participate in its operation, either as employees or as collaborators and creators. Through the work of the Shorefast Foundation, cultural actions, educational programs and initiatives are funded that help young people remain on the island. Community participation is a key element of the operating model, as local residents are not treated as simple employees but as carriers of knowledge, culture and experience.
Economically, the hotel has created new jobs and significantly boosted the local economy. Before its creation, the area was facing high unemployment and population decline due to the fishing crisis. The development of tourism through the Fogo Island Inn has created new professional opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, catering, crafts and local services. At the same time, with the implementation of a local procurement policy, the majority of the economic benefits remain in the community.
In this context, it is worth mentioning the innovative “Economic Nutrition Label” system, through which the hotel presents transparently how the company’s revenues are distributed and what percentage of the money remains in the local economy. According to the company’s latest figures, more than half of the amount paid by the visitor remains on the island itself (54%), approximately 96% remains in Canada, while operating surpluses are returned to the community through the Shorefast Foundation and are not distributed to private shareholders. In this way, the economic benefits remain in the place instead of “leaking” to external companies or investors.
On an environmental level, the Fogo Island Inn follows practices that aim to protect and regenerate the natural environment. The small scale of the hotel helps to avoid overtourism, while energy and resource saving strategies are systematically implemented, aiming to reduce the overall environmental footprint. Specifically, it operates with renewable energy sources, while energy efficiency measures are implemented, such as heat recovery systems, high thermal insulation and extensive use of LED lighting (approximately 75%), significantly reducing energy consumption.
Particular emphasis is placed on resource management, such as providing reusable water bottles, recyclable utensils, and reusable bags or backpacks for excursions, reducing single-use waste. In addition, the toiletries are environmentally friendly, while the hotel’s furniture, as mentioned above, is from the island itself, reducing energy costs for transportation. Furthermore, the mattresses are made from organic and ethically certified materials.
Finally, low-footprint travel is promoted, such as the use of bicycles and the shared use of transportation for guests upon their arrival and departure from the island, while the overall accommodation experience encourages environmental awareness and respect for the natural ecosystem. In this context, the company has undertaken an initiative regarding carbon offset. Specifically, this means that the CO₂ emissions from the stay and the hotel’s operations are calculated and then “offset” through funding for environmental projects, such as carbon reduction or absorption actions. The cost of this process is usually already included in the price of the stay, while guests can optionally pay extra to offset their own travel expenses. In this way, the money paid indirectly contributes to environmental actions and the overall footprint of the visit is considered carbon neutral.
Overall, Fogo Island Inn is a good example of how tourism can function as a means of local regeneration. By connecting hospitality with social cohesion, cultural preservation, economic empowerment and environmental protection, the hotel demonstrates that it is possible to develop a tourism model that creates a positive and long-term impact.
Where is it applied?
Fogo Island Inn is aimed at guests seeking a quality and meaningful journey, based on authentic contact with nature, local culture and community, far from the standards of mass tourism and conventional luxury.
When did it apply?
Fogo Island Inn was completed and officially opened in 2013.
Results
Fogo Island Inn has received significant international awards and recognition for its activities. For example, it has been awarded 3 MICHELIN Keys by the MICHELIN Guide and has been included in international travel lists. In addition, it is the subject of academic study as an example of revitalizing local communities, through the Sustainable Heritage Case Studies platform of Carleton University. There, it is presented as a model of sustainable development that connects tourism with the strengthening of the local community, the protection of cultural heritage and environmental responsibility.
Other information
See more about Fogo Island Inn here.