Corporate Vision Best Sustainable Hotel 2024 – British Columbia & FamilyOperated Tourism Company of the Year 2024 – British Columbia Fernie is a small town with a vibrant culture that can be found in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. From strolling around the Historic Downtown, watching chocolate being made the old fashioned way, drinking in the breathtaking scenery of Fairy Creek Falls, or simply relaxing in the serenity of the mountains, there is something for everyone visiting Fernie. When exploring the wonders that Fernie has to offer, why not stay at the delightful Fernie Fox Hotel, a sustainable, family-operated hotel that has been recently named in the Small Business Awards 2024. Here, we speak with Jeremiah Pauw, Owner of The Fernie Fox Hotel, to find out more. The Fernie Fox Hotel is a boutique hotel striving to be recognised as the most sustainable hotel in British Columbia. The hotel has been owned and operated by Jeremiah and Marina Pauw, initially Super 8 Fernie underneath the Super 8 banner, though the couple decided to strike out on their own and transformed the hotel into The Fernie Fox in 2020. With the striking logo of an orange fox, The Fernie Hotel symbolises Jeremiah and Marina’s commitment to preserving nature through sustainable practices. The hotel is conveniently located on Highway 3, making it the ideal destination for anybody wanting to visit the town’s many attractions. The Fernie Fox Hotel offers guests an expansive range of amenities, including pet friendly rooms, free Wi-Fi, free guest laundry, full modern guest kitchen, a meeting room with a board table, a large covered outdoor deck with a BBQ, an outdoor hot tub, ski and bike storage, ski and town shuttles in the winter, and two EV car chargers. At the hotel’s core lies a deep commitment to sustainability, a dedication that underpins every aspect of its operations. “Our core values are to be uncompromising in building a sustainable business,” says Jeremiah. “From environmental sustainability to community sustainability to economic sustainability, we are always seeking new ways to improve our operations, our community, and the environmental impacts of our business. Our overall mission is to deliver as a leader in hospitality and business sustainability.” Since its establishment, The Fernie Fox Hotel has eliminated single use plastics across all guest services and in-house functions. The hotel generates electricity for onsite demands via a 53.4kW solar array, managed by a Control4 power management system, and is also the only hotel in Fernie and its nearby communities to offer onsite, complimentary charging for guests’ electric vehicles. The hospitality market is highly competitive, and Fernie is quickly becoming an international four-season destination for travellers seeking outdoor adventure. In order to remain relevant in such a dynamic landscape, establishments must strive to identify and cultivate their individuality to stand out in the crowded market. Sustainable tourism is on the rise, as travellers are becoming more conscious of the impact their plans may have on the environment. Now, guests are opting for hotels that champion the shift to greener operations and will avoid those identified as greenwashing or environmentally unfriendly. “Our competitive advantages are our focus on value and sustainability,” Jeremiah states. “No other hotel has taken as many steps to minimise the environmental impacts of their operations, which gives us both a marketing advantage in terms of attracting guests to the impact their travel has, but also a business advantage in that the investments we have made have improved our profitability and minimised the impacts of external factors.” Since its rebranding, The Fernie Fox Hotel has succeeded in establishing itself as a warm, welcoming, and green environment for travellers visiting Fernie. The hotel is operated by a small but mighty team, working together as a family to achieve success. Jeremiah tells us that the team treat each other like family and are supported and encouraged to be valuable members to not only the hotel, but the Fernie community at large. The team is provided with ongoing training opportunities and initiatives to volunteer within the community, all in order to cultivate an encouraging environment that thrives on personal and professional development. This working environment has enabled The Fernie Fox Hotel to build a stellar reputation, driven by the numerous five-star reviews left for the hotel on TripAdvisor. “The room was clean, staff super helpful and very friendly,” writes Michelle. “I also love that The Fernie Fox Hotel is sustainable and has such great amenities on site, such as a guest washer and dryer, kitchen, BBQ, hot tub, and a water refill station. I will definitely be a repeat customer!”
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