Location: Brazil
http://www.vista-alegre.orgBook Now
Vista Alegre is reputed as a transformational meeting place where creative ideas, human connections and dynamic conversations take centre stage. It is especially designed to increase the awareness on sustainability among leaders and to provide a platform for intercultural exchange and understanding to facilitate in the co-creation of a more humane and sustainable world.
It all begun in 1983 when Sandra Guimarães - a bio-energetic therapist and one of the founders of Vista Alegre – happened upon a natural oasis in a hidden valley behind Guanabara Bay surrounded by mountains and crossed by a river and a number of smaller watersheds. She had been seeking a comfortable place near Rio where should could host her clients. As a bio-energetic therapist, Sandra had always believed in the healing power of nature. Teaming up with co-founder Thais Corral – a social entrepreneur respected for her leadership role in promoting sustainable approaches to life – the duo have since worked to build Vista Alegre to what it is today; a unique meeting place designed to enhance today’s leaders and nurture tomorrow’s social entrepreneur.
Vista Alegre is located 52 km from the centre of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest urban area in Brazil. Its proximity to this bustling cityscape does not however detract from its natural beauty. It is built on 120 acres of land but has direct influence over a further 500. It is encircled by the Mata Atlantica ecosystem which holds one of the richest concentrations of biodiversity in Brazil.
It’s made up of five houses which can accommodate up to 30 people for meetings and special events. It boasts facilities such as fresh water pools, saunas, waterfalls and Zen-like gardens all of which contribute to its overall relaxing atmosphere.
The Mata Atlantica is not only known for its rich biodiversity but for its beauty as well. Vista Alegre is committed to preserving this biodiversity but faces a number of challenges including the encroachment of human settlements and massive clearing of forests to support farming and other income generating activities. It is sad to note that across the entire 3000 acre valley where Vista Algere is located only 7.3% of the original forest cover which used to span over 1,300,000 square kilometres. While the effect of these human activities does not have an immediate visual impact, Vista Alegre is well aware of the looming danger if action is not taken.
Over the past four years, Vista Alegre has been spearheading efforts to create a unity of conservation. This unity of conservation will be made up by a group of landowners committed to the protection and restoration of the Valley’s rich ecosystem with a special focus on the preservation of its natural water sources. This collective approach will benefit from the influence and commitment to sustainability of all the land owners who will make up the unity and will no doubt have a greater impact on the Valley. Vista Alegre has so far managed to bring on board five landowners and together they are at the forefront of setting examples of sustainable business models for replication across the valley. Under the unity of conservation various initiatives such as the implementation of an environmental service plan that will offer incentives to the inhabitants of the Valley for the protection of its natural resources are being formulated.
Vista Alegre is also working to address the pollution of the San Antonio River which has resulted from the informal human settlements that have sprouted around the valley over the years. By cultivating a culture of conservation amongst these lower income communities through environmental education and job creation it has made great strides toward achieving this.
One of Vista Alegre’s main goals is to provide a platform for intercultural exchange and understanding. While it places a strong emphasis on infusing Brazilian culture into every aspect of Vista Alegre ranging from its cuisine to its architecture and décor, it also brings together neighbouring communities, staff and visitors to learn from one another and to increase guests’ knowledge of local culture.
As it is a centre for Global Leadership in Sustainability, Vista Alegre brings people together from all over the world for training programmes, discussions and raising awareness on sustainability. It draws on the experiences and knowledge of its neighbouring communities as an integral component of these programmes. Through this microcosm of the global community Vista Alegre presents its foreign guests with a window to the rich Brazilian culture by providing endless opportunities for interaction with its staff and neighbours.
Vista Alegre provides conferencing and retreat services as its core business. It also hosts a range of seminars and gastronomic events. It is committed to improving and upgrading its existing facilities in an environmentally friendly manner to provide their guests with high quality amenities and services. It operates under the Earth Charter Code of Conduct and as a social business, it continuously reinvests in the community as part of its dedication to uplifting the standard of life of the people living in the lower income settlement of the Valley.
