Education means preservation
For several years, Groupe Dufour has contributed financially to GREMM , a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of marine habitat through education and scientific research into marine mammals in the St. Lawrence River. At Groupe Dufour, we are aware as a cruise operator that whale survival and protection of their fragile ecosytem are both essential and dependent on furthering environmental education.
GREMM promotes awareness of prevention and protection projects undertaken each year.
To learn more, visit the GREMM Website.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism
At Groupe Dufour we do everything in our power to respect the environment…in fact, we want being green to become second nature!
Green initiatives
Two of Groupe Dufour’s establishments, Hôtel Val-des-Neiges and Hôtel Clarendon, are 3 Green Key certified by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). Recently, several green initiatives were launched in these two hotels: for example, composting at the Hôtel Clarendon and community-based green activities by the employees of the Hôtel Val-des-Neiges.
Respect for marine mammals and their environment
Ecotourism has as its principle objective the observation and discovery of our natural world, landscapes or particular species while respecting ecosystems.
Groupe Dufour is proud to have been a major financial partner of GREMM (Groupe de recherche et d'éducation sur les mammifères marins) since its creation.
Corporate policy as established by Groupe Dufour senior management obligates employees to adhere to the Règlement sur les activités en mer dans le parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent, the goal of which is to protect marine creatures and their habitat.Groupe Dufour has also been an enthusiastic participant working with the scientific community and in close collaboration with the Parc Marin du Saguenay/St-Laurent in drafting these regulations.
Favouring local producers and low impact tourism
Groupe Dufour favours local suppliers when possible, such as Les Serres Lacoste and Cidrerie et vergers Pedneault in Charlevoix, the Musée de l’abeille or the Cauchon de Château Richer family farm on the Côte de Beaupré. What’s more, several fine cheeses such as the celebrated Migneron or the Ciel de Charlevoix are purchased directly from the cheesemaker, La Maision d’Affinage Maurice Dufour, located in Baie St-Paul.
Groupe Dufour, particularly with the Hôtel Cap-aux-Pierres on Isle-aux-Coudres, tends to favour dealing directly with local craftsmen and producers, and in the case of tourist activities, those that are most environmentally friendly, such as sea kayaking or cycling.
