The launch of Ombria Algarve marked a new era in luxury hospitality, setting the benchmark for carbon-neutral events in the Algarve and across Portugal.
Proud to be leading the way into a new world of luxury, we believe true luxury is rooted in responsibility - but sustainability isn't just a luxury for the hospitality industry anymore, it’s essential.
To be sustainable means to survive through change. The word comes from “sustain”, which can mean “maintain”, “support” or “endure”. Since the 1980s, the term has been used to refer to human sustainability on our planet, to our ability to sustain our place in a changing world.
In recent years, we have seen significant changes in the way we travel. Today's eco-conscious travellers demand a more sustainable approach that does not compromise on luxury. As the world becomes increasingly aware of our environmental impact, the travel industry must also evolve, offering eco-friendly experiences that meet the expectations of discerning, environmentally responsible guests.
Luxury travellers are no longer satisfied with simply indulging in lavish experiences; they want to do so responsibly. The rise of sustainable luxury travel is driven by the desire to reduce carbon footprints, support local communities, and preserve the natural beauty of destinations.
But it’s not words that define us, it’s our actions, so on 18th June 2025, we celebrated the inauguration of Ombria Resort Hotel by hosting Portugal's first carbon neutral inauguration event of its kind. We wanted to mark this important milestone in our journey by setting a new standard of eco-responsibility for the country highlighting the Algarve’s countryside beauty.
The environmental impact of our 300 guests was balanced by a meticulous process involving the measurement, reduction, and offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions. This achievement reflects our genuine commitment to sustainability and enhances the experiences we provide to our guests in the heart of the Algarve.
This was done by calculating the event’s carbon footprint using internationally recognised methodologies, this included factoring in all guest travel emissions, working with Algarve-based suppliers and artists and ensuring shared transport for external teams.
Furthermore, we eliminated all unnecessary printing, using recycled cotton rag paper embedded with mint seeds ready to plant and give new life, created an event website with QR codes for all information and photos and offered handmade gifts by local artisans.
The entire event programme employed natural daylight, including the press conference, local market, art & culture workshops, and sunset party - with minimal energy consumption planned for our upcoming candlelight concert, stargazing sessions and open-air cinema session under the stars.
The global average for a 300-person event is between 150 and 450 tonnes of CO₂e, for the inauguration event, we were able to achieve just 1.61 tonnes, between 100 to 280 times less.
So, can our industry adapt to a changing world? Can carbon neutrality and luxury hospitality coexist? We’re proud to say yes, and we hope that this event can inspire change within the Algarve’s luxury market. In Greta Thurberg’s words: “I know we need a system change rather than individual change. But you can not have one without the other.”
