Ruralidays
Holiday Home Rental Platform

Ruralidays is the ultimate Andalusian vacation rental platform with a wide range of unique accommodations amidst picturesque rural settings and a hassle-free booking process.

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1
Total Number of
Vacation Rentals
1
Badge Received
PROCESSING
1
Average Score
PROCESSING
1
Highest Score
PROCESSING
Goals
Goals of the Sustonica Partnership

Felix Zea, the CEO of Ruralidays, and COO Michel Deckers had been engaged in extensive discussions for several months, exploring the idea of incorporating a sustainability filter into their website. Both leaders were deeply committed to promoting sustainable living and were fascinated by innovative solutions that could contribute to environmental protection. However, they faced significant challenges and uncertainties, grappling with questions like defining the appropriate criteria and ensuring impartial validation of the properties. The task seemed daunting, and they were concerned that it might divert their focus from the core business.

However, in May 2023, everything fell into place when they had the opportunity to meet Sustonica during the Vitur Summit.

The encounter sparked a natural and logical partnership. Sustonica offered a solution that perfectly aligned with their vision. By collaborating with Sustonica, Ruralidays could now implement the sustainability filter based on scientifically-grounded criteria.

Additionally, the partnership would effectively eliminate any greenwashing threats, as Sustonica's external validation process would guarantee transparency and authenticity in showcasing eco-friendly properties on their platform. This alliance not only fulfilled their aspirations for a sustainable approach but also bolstered their core business, paving the way for a greener and more responsible travel experience for their customers.

"Through our partnership with Sustonica, we are not only adding a sustainability filter to our website, but also embracing a profound commitment to transparency and authenticity. Together, we're empowering travelers to make responsible choices and fostering a greener vacation rental industry."
Felix Zea
CEO
Process of Validation

The implementation process of the Sustonica partnership is currently underway (August 2023), with both Michel Deckers and Felix Zea leading the way.

Step 1: Strategic Decisions
It was decided that the owners themselves would bear the cost of the badge and go through the entire validation process themselves. Michel Deckers and Felix Zea tested the process themselves to ensure that it was simple enough for owners in rural areas to understand, and translated perfectly into Spanish.
Sign up and test yourself
Step 2: Contacting Owners
Felix Zea personally reached out to several owners via phone to gather feedback. The overwhelmingly positive responses paved the way for establishing a timeline to kickstart the marketing campaign.
Quick wins for owners
Step 3: Getting the Owners Buy-In
In collaboration with Sustonica, a series of email drafts were prepared and scheduled for sending in September 2023 to Ruralidays' entire base of owners. Owners will be invited to sign up, indicating their partnership with Ruralidays, and then proceed to submit their documentation and provide a photo tour of their properties.
Email template to send to owners
Step 4: Changes to the Website
Decisions are yet to be finalized regarding how to import the received badges and validation points for all properties. Options include a regular CSV export or utilizing the API through because.eco certification channel manager. A new filter will be created on the website to prominently showcase properties that have successfully passed the validation process, with clear explanations of the validated criteria. This will empower travelers to make informed and responsible choices based on the sustainability credentials of each property.
Visit the Ruralidays website

Partnership Outcomes (last update August 2023)

What those involved in the Sustonica validation say
Team Feedback
michel-deckers-ruralidays
The solution we had been waiting for!
Embracing sustainability is not just a choice; it's our responsibility towards the planet and future generations. We're incredibly eager to kickstart the implementation of the Sustonica partnership, empowering our owners to showcase their commitment to eco-friendly practices. Together, we're embarking on a journey of positive change, making sustainable living a seamless reality for everyone, while preserving the beauty of Andalusia for generations to come.
Michel Deckers
COO
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