Hotels get enviro award

PHOTO BY JANET SILVERA - Sandals Montego Bay's general manager, Horace Peterkin (second left) and the hotel's environmental health and safety manager, Lisa Simpson (centre), accept the American Express Caribbean Tourism Environmental Award from immediate past president of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Berthia Parle (second right) and Dianelys Rodriquez of American Express (left). Sharing in the occassion is Jem Winston (right), owner of 3Rivers Eco Lodge.

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 Awards, presented two weeks ago in Miami, during a special awards luncheon as part of the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC), paid tribute to the hotels that are models of responsible environmental and social performance in the region.

"The relationship between tourism and environment must be intimate and continuous, especially in the Caribbean, where sustainability is indispensable to preserve our tropical paradise," says Dianelys Rodríguez, vice-president, 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."

The 2006 American Express Caribbean Tourism Environmental Award winners obtained the highest combined scores, based on their performance in the following five criteria: environmental management and stewardship, infrastructure, awareness, conservation and health and safety:

* Small Hotel category ­ 3Rivers Eco Lodge and Sustainable Living Centre, Dominica

* Large Hotel category ­ Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica

The 3Rivers Eco Lodge and 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 has as little harmful impact as possible on the unspoiled natural beauty of its surroundings and community.

Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica ­ winner in the Large Hotel category ­ has a fully implemented Environmental Management System and Health and Safety programme. This programme received Green Globe 21 certification in January 2001; since then, Sandals Montego Bay has been continuously improving its operation, with programmes such as:

* Energy conservation management

* Freshwater resource management

* Waste minimisation

* Improved social and cultural development

* Safe care, use and handling of chemicals

They also created an Emergency Disaster Plan Manual, as well as an HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme 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 programmes and community clean-ups ­ both above and below the water.