Hotels in Jamaica and Dominica receive 2006 American Express Caribbean Tourism Environmental Award
Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica and 3 Rivers Eco Lodge & Sustainable Living Centre in Dominica awarded as models of responsible environmental and social performance
Miami, Florida, USA (July 5, 2006) – Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica and 3 Rivers Eco Lodge & Sustainable Living Centre in Dominica have both been awarded the 2006 American Express Caribbean Tourism Environmental Award. Presented last week in Miami during a special awards luncheon at the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, the awards pay tribute to hotels that are models of responsible environmental and social performance in the region.
Sustainable tourism in the Caribbean is understood as the optimal use of natural, cultural, financial and human resources for national development on an equitable and self-sustaining basis in order to provide a unique visitor experience and an improved quality of life for its citizens.
The 2006 American Express Caribbean Tourism Environmental Award winners obtained the highest combined scores, based on their performance in five criteria: environmental management and stewardship, infrastructure, health and safety, awareness and conservation.
3 RIVERS ECO LODGE & SUSTAINABLE LIVING CENTRE, DOMINICA
Winner in the small hotel category, the 3 Rivers Eco Lodge & Sustainable Living Centre reiterates in 2006 its commitment to sustainability after earning this award in 2005. Located in Dominica, this family business lives by a fundamental goal: to live in harmony with, yet have as little harmful impact as possible on the unspoiled natural beauty of its surroundings and community.
Their philosophy is driven by a belief in their role to protect and enhance the environment for guests, as well as residents of the local community. Keeping in line with their goals, every aspect of the hotel has the environment in mind.
The management embraces a sustainable lifestyle, minimizing the use of all resources, and monitoring all systems. The sun powers the entire property. The water supply is pumped from the river using a solar-powered pump, which works in silence to avoid disturbing the surrounding natural habitats. Likewise, they use solar hot water heating systems. To minimize water consumption, grey water is treated and then reused in the garden, and campers use dry toilets.
Water, electricity, gas, solid waste and paper consumption are monitored daily to continuously find new ways of reducing usage. The hotel composts all kitchen and garden waste, and uses that compost, without the use of chemicals or fertilizers, to grow as much organic food as possible. A truly original invention is the modification of a pick-up truck that has been retrofitted to run on used vegetable oil as well as diesel fuel. With the “cooking oil truck” they have reduced harmful emissions by some 93 per cent, and are able to recycle oil that had been previously discarded by local restaurants into local rivers and ravines. Whenever possible, the hotel avoids purchasing packaged goods. The hotel also shops locally, recycles and uses biodegradable products, and tries to keep waste products to a minimum.
An important aspect of 3 River’s philosophy is to involve the local community. Employees come from local villages, and they are trained in sustainable living. As an eco-lodge, the hotel owners feel that community-based tourism is essential in order to ensure that their local friends benefit from the hotel’s existence.
The hotel offers a number of local community-based activities for visitors’ enjoyment, which, at the same time, help many native people earn money to provide for their families. The activities give guests a true taste of life in Dominica, as seen by a Dominican, and are as innovative as they are engaging. They include learning traditional farming methods and how to make and taste one of Dominica's national dishes – calalou soup; a day at an organic herb farm discovering traditional herbal medicines and remedies, and tasting various bush teas; preparing and roasting coffee and cocoa, which visitors can then take home; visits to the local village primary school to get to know the kids, share experiences with them and learn local history; band practices with the local reggae and calypso stars, The Blazing Squad; and learning ancient knitting or flower crafts, among others.
“Environmental issues concern not just the air we breathe and the water we drink, they also concern our obligation to each other and to future generations to protect our planet,” said Berthia Parle, president of the Caribbean Hotel Association. “In the Caribbean hospitality industry, businesses that utilize the most solid social and environmental practices benefit communities and save not only our environment, but our heritage as well.”
SANDALS MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA
Winner in the large hotel category, Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica has a fully implemented Environmental Management System and Health and Safety program. This program received Green Globe 21 certification in January 2001, and since then, Sandals Montego Bay has been continuously improving its operation with programs such as energy conservation management, freshwater resource management, waste minimization, improved social and cultural development, and the safe care, use and handling of chemicals.
The resort also created an Emergency Disaster Plan Manual as well as an HIV/AIDS Workplace Program Policy. Sandals Montego Bay has a full-time environment, health and safety manager, responsible for staff training, developing community awareness, and liaising with the Montego Bay Marine Park and National Environment and Planning Agency.
Staff are encouraged to participate and become involved with monthly awards, annual health and safety expositions, field trips, committees, clubs and special events such as medical missions for children’s infirmaries, AIDS hospices and neighbouring mental hospitals, as well as youth training and recruitment programs and community cleanups, both above and below the water.
“The relationship between tourism and environment must be intimate and continuous, especially in the Caribbean, where sustainability is indispensable to preserve our tropical paradise,” said Dianelys Rodríguez, vice-president of Establishment Services, American Express Latin America and Caribbean Division. “Our congratulations to both winners for taking the lead in environmental practices and serving as role models for the Caribbean region.”
To learn more about the winners or for additional information on how to develop an environmental program, contact the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) at (787) 725-9139 or by e-mail at dshurland@caribbeanhotels.org. You can also visit www.caribbean.com to see their accommodations listings under Dominica and Jamaica – Montego Bay.
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