DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.—Award-winning Elite Island Resorts—the second-largest independently owned Caribbean hospitality group—announced that four of its upscale properties have been certified green in accordance with the highest international standards: the Baseline Criteria of Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001/14001, The Mohonk Agreement, Agenda 21, and principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992.
Certification was awarded to Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in St. Lucia; Palm Island in The Grenadines; and Galley Bay Resort & Spa and St. James’s Club & Villas in Antigua. All Elite Island Resorts should be certified by year’s end.
Green Hotels Certification, an independent organization, requires certification in three compliance areas: environment and energy; corporate responsibility; and conservation. Now certified green, Elite Island Resort properties’ daily operations are geared toward ecological preservation. For example, grey water provides irrigation; organic waste is utilized by local farmers; and only biodegradable products are employed.
Local Economy Supported
Foods and products from endangered species are banned and produce and other sustainable products are purchased locally whenever possible. The company also has a carbon offset program, employs a workforce that is more than 95 percent local, and supports cultural events, charities, scholarships and, at Galley Bay, a dedicated bird sanctuary.
“As the famous frog says, ‘it isn’t easy being green,’” said Steven E. Heydt, Elite Island Resorts’ president. “Elite Island Resorts has invested a tremendous amount of time and money into our green certification program. Are we still a premier resort company? Yes. Are we operating in a different mindset? Absolutely. Will casual observers see this? Probably not. But rest assured, there are a hundred plus measures we are doing behind the scenes—all without sacrificing the luxury aspects of our upscale properties. We are extremely proud of these steps.”
“Many so-called ‘green properties’ use self-evaluation, which is not reliable,” said Guido Bauer, CEO, Green Hotel Certification. “Elite Island Resorts demonstrated great commitment by choosing a certification program which sends auditors to each property for detailed inspections and monitors the properties continually.”
Go to Elite Island Resorts and Green Hotel Certification.
