Porta Antigua, chain member of Porta Hotels, celebrated its 75th anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to sustainable tourism development in the country, especially in the city of Antigua Guatemala, where they generate more than 300 direct and indirect jobs and serve more than 100,000 visitors a year. The hotel with a colonial-style architecture begins the year with good news, delivering the first stage of the expansion plan, which was focused on the remodeling of rooms, and which is preparing for a next phase in other areas in 2024, both projects are part of an investment of USD$ 5M.
This consolidation of effort is accompanied by a new image that reflects the trends related to the new generations and that are made known by the hand of projects that seek to promote the sustainable, environmental, economic, and cultural tourism development of the destination.
Andreas Kuestermann, general director of Porta Hotels, emphasized the importance of innovation and adapting to changes, to get closer to potential markets and offer a memorable experience that is meaningful to the needs of the visitor, considering the relevance of the destination as a benchmark for traditions and culture for Guatemalans, as well as historical importance and great beauty for foreigners. 65% of the audience corresponds to internal tourism, so the challenges are aimed at creating differentiating proposals to receive the young Guatemalan public.
One of the advances that the company celebrates is the recent international affiliation with Beyond Green, which implies being part of the hotel chains that work for tourism with a deeper purpose involving sustainable practices, protection of natural and cultural heritage, as well as the support to local communities. A hotel with this certification guarantees compliance with sustainability indicators.
Kuestermann emphasize the challenge of continuing to promote timely strategies that make it possible to boost the local economy, manage an international level service and assume an active and proactive role to attract quality tourism to the colonial city. “The membership of Beyond Green establishes that experiences are generated with a greater purpose, this goes with our mission of being an agent of change. For Porta Antigua, this goes hand in hand with sustainability and also with the reason of being a legacy of support with the community, not only sowing a better future, but also preserving the traditions that characterize us. Our home is Antigua Guatemala, we will seek to elevate and put on the international stage, as a main actor, this emblematic destination”, he added.
In line with these agreements and as part of its corporate purpose, Porta Antigua focuses on establishing alliances for the benefit of the environment and the Antigua community. Among these actions, the purchasing policy stands out, which establishes priority for the acquisition of local products from Sacatepéquez, such as supplies, food and beverages, choosing suppliers and products that are friendly to the environment and promoting local development.
A story with a colonial accent
75 years ago, the first version of a resort with a restaurant and swimming pool emerged from land that once housed cochineal crops, the only one of its kind in Antigua Guatemala, where residents and foreigners came. A couple of years later, eighteen bungalows were added to the recreational space. In 1948 it was transformed into Hotel Antigua and at the beginning of the 21st century it joined the Porta Hotels chain, constituting a preponderant role within the national economy, thus contributing a high percentage to the generation of foreign currency through products and services. Currently, the hotel has 112 rooms, restaurant and bar, convention center and spa.
Besides, in compliance with the sustainable development objectives and the joint work that it has with the colonial city, since 2010 Porta Antigua plans entrepreneurship, environmental, educational, business, and cultural programs that include: vaccination days where more of 350 neighbors, artisan fairs, sustainability talks at universities and educational centers in Sacatepéquez, volunteering in support of the town, photo exhibitions of the Antiguan culture, concerts, among others.
Today, Porta Antigua continues to be a meeting point for Guatemalans where a large number of corporate and associative activities take place, as well as special social events. One of its qualities is that it has transcended as a place where many families have celebrated unique moments for generations, making it an iconic, nostalgic place and a second home for its visitors and collaborators, some of which are more than 40 years old. A pleasing site, traditional and a reference for Guatemalans, which will continue to write unique and memorable stories together with all its visitors, but now with a renewed voice and a new image.
