SAN JUAN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO—HADCO Experiences, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading Destination Management Companies, has been awarded the prestigious Green Key certification for their flagship properties, HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre and Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel. Recognized for their commitment to eco-conscious tourism and sustainable hospitality practices, both properties have received this internationally respected sustainability distinction.
Earning Green Key certification is a marker reflecting a property’s adherence to the strict environmental responsibility and sustainable operation criteria set by the Foundation for Environmental Education; and the HADCO Experiences team is thrilled to be advancing the cause of sustainability for the local community, as well as for the guests who visit these properties.
This new certification is just the latest step in HADCO Experiences’ long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. At HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre, that commitment is reflected in ongoing efforts to monitor and conserve the preserve’s biodiverse animal and avian population. At Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel, the Green Key Certification centers around building upon ongoing efforts, both on-property and within the greater community, to preserve and grow the local Leatherback turtle population.
“At HADCO experiences, environmental stewardship is at the core of all our operations. We are proud to bring greater awareness of both sustainable and regenerative tourism to Trinidad and Tobago, proving that luxury and eco-travel can co-exist and thrive throughout our sister islands,” notes John Hadad, Group co-Chief Executive Officer of HADCO Experiences.
A Dedicated Biodiversity Manager
HADCO Experiences has embedded environmental stewardship and community impact into every facet of its operations and appointed a dedicated Biodiversity Manager, Giselle Ragoonanan in 2025. She states: “This certification validates what we’re building at HADCO Experiences: regenerative tourism is where biodiversity is treated as core infrastructure—measured, protected and actively restored. Every operational choice supports the wildlife and ecosystems that make Trinidad and Tobago exceptional.”
Through ambitious regenerative tourism initiatives at HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright NatureCentre, Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel and Pawi Lodge, HADCO Experiences has followed a sensitive restoration program and now operates them with a minimal ecological footprint eliminating single-use plastics, conserving water with low-pressure fixtures and composting programs, and implementing a solar-powered system at Asa Wright Nature Centre that now supplies a major portion of energy needs.
According to Senator the Honorable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, “HADCO Experiences has embraced this responsibility wholeheartedly. Since receiving the concession to operate the ecolodge, they have revitalized the Centre with solar energy systems, water conservation measures, waste sorting and recycling, a zero plastics policy, eco-friendly products and the use of nature-based construction materials. They have also strengthened linkages with local farmers and created meaningful employment for residents of surrounding communities.”
In Support of Biodiversity Protection & Education
Guest experiences are thoughtfully designed to support biodiversity protection and education, from turtle-friendly lighting on the world’s busiest Leatherback turtle nesting beach to wildlife monitoring and forest conservation programs that help safeguard endangered species such as the Trinidad Piping-guan, Oilbird or Guácharo and other species’ populations.
The company champions local communities by sourcing produce and seafood from local farmers and fishermen, hiring local staff and offering immersive volunteer conservation opportunities. These bold commitments to responsible tourism and measurable sustainability outcomes have positioned HADCO Experiences as a leader in environmental stewardship in Trinidad and Tobago, making the achievement of Green Key Certification a natural milestone in its mission to preserve natural heritage, enrich local livelihoods and inspire meaningful connections between guests and the natural world.
The Green Key eco-label is awarded to tourism establishments that demonstrate exceptional performance in environmental management, sustainability education, operational efficiency and biodiversity conservation.
According to Willard P. Harris, Director, Green T&T, “Operating within rainforests and coastal ecosystems carries an elevated responsibility. Green Key certification is built on measurable, auditable evidence, ensuring that key systems—such as wastewater treatment and discharge—protect both ecosystems and public health. HADCO’s continued focus on independent verification, consistent monitoring and transparency reflects exactly the kind of forward-thinking stewardship Green Key seeks to encourage and strengthen over time.”
This achievement reflects HADCO Experiences’ pledge to operate with minimal environmental impact while elevating the guest experience.
