MIAMI—Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, has taken a firm stance on sustainability since its inception in 2000, and most recently announced its decision to eliminate the production and distribution of plastic straws across all of its properties. The ban on plastic straws is the latest effort within Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ overall commitment to the environment. In 2013, Karisma created the Passion for Sustainability Program, which includes initiatives promoting conscious tourism, preserving ecosystems, protecting wild and endangered species, and responsibly using natural resources.
As part of its most recent sustainability initiative, Karisma Hotels & Resorts will only offer straws to guests upon request to eliminate single-use plastic products and the detrimental effect they have on the ecosystem. Furthermore, as of September 2018, Karisma will completely replace all plastic straws with straws made of biodegradable materials, while still maintaining the standard of only offering straws for frozen beverages or upon request.
“The elimination of plastic straws across all of our resorts is the latest initiative in Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ long-standing commitment to social responsibility and building an environmentally-friendly culture among our resorts, partners and guests,” said Lyn Santos Rodriguez, Karisma’s Director of Sustainability. “We continuously strive to reduce our eco-footprint and preserve the incredible natural beauty of our destinations, while maintaining the highest level of hospitality and offering memorable vacation experiences to all our guests for years to come.”
In addition to the elimination of plastic straws, the Passion for Sustainability Program includes several noteworthy initiatives, most remarkably the creation of the world’s largest artificial reef, Kan-Kanán, in Riviera Maya, Mexico, which was commissioned by the owners of Karisma’s El Dorado Spa Resorts. Stretching longer than the Brooklyn Bridge, Kan-Kanán—meaning guardian of the sea in Mayan—covers more than a mile of coastline parallel to the coast of Punta Brava in Mexico. It was built by a team of expert engineers, environmentalists, architects and specialized divers at a cost of $1 million as a monumental solution to the deterioration of existing marine systems. Kan-Kanán intends to divert attention and reverse the negative impact of time on the natural ecosystem, and fight against climate changes to preserve the Mexican Caribbean’s splendor. It is now the new home to thousands of sea species and is protecting the coast from natural erosion.
Home to Turtle Conservation Program
Karisma is also home to the Turtle Conservation Program. Aiming to protect four specific species of sea turtles that inhabit Karisma’s beaches in the Mexican Riviera region, the program builds registered turtle camps at El Dorado Casitas Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites—the two hotels with the highest incidence of nesting females. In 2017 alone, these camps successfully released 34,175 Blanca and Caguama sea turtle hatchlings.
Additionally, as part of its commitment to serving guests the finest and freshest ingredients, Karisma’s El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, is home to the only Rainforest Alliance Certified Greenhouse in a coastal area. Spanning more than 76,000 square feet, the Greenhouse produces approximately 12 tons of crops annually, providing daily fresh produce, herbs and spices to each of Karisma’s Gourmet Inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya.
Other highlights of Karisma’s initiatives in the Passion for Sustainability Program include water conservation policies, energy monitoring, waste management and recycling efforts. Karisma Hotels & Resorts has frequently served as one of the main sponsors at the Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit—the most important event on solutions for sustainable tourism in Latin America. Many of Karisma’s hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean have been awarded with EarthCheck Silver, Green Globe and Travelife Gold environmental certifications, and have been recognized as “Hotel Amigo De La Tortugas” (Turtle Friendly Hotels).
To further educate its team, partners and guests on The Passion for Sustainability Program, Karisma recently developed and released its first-ever sustainability report, which can be found here.
