| Montego Bay, Jamaica. Pristine white-sand
beaches, breezy green palm trees and lush gardens running along a deep
blue sea are the signature landscapes of the Caribbean – and of Sandals
and Beaches Resorts. Guests who stay at any one of the 16
extraordinary properties can be sure that each resort takes every
measure possible to conserve the natural beauty of its surroundings. |
Sandals St.Lucia.
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Sandals Resorts
recognizes that the travel and tourism industry has the potential to
contribute significantly to environmental preservation and is fully
committed to this effort. “Green” business is good business
in the tourism industry. Progressive green programs, which incorporate
environmental protection measures into the management of each property,
are implemented at every Sandals and Beaches Resort. Environmental
managers at every property oversee the integrity of the programs, which
reduce energy and water consumption, improve solid waste and wastewater
disposal, prevent air pollution, protect marine life and foster strong
bonds with local communities.
Within the resorts, Sandals combats waste management with a number of
programs designed to reduce the amount of garbage that the properties
send to landfills. This includes composting, paper recycling, offering
drinking straws only upon request and recycling many items, including
kitchen grease, cardboard boxes and bottles. Sandals also takes
measures to conserve fresh water and energy by pouring and refilling
water only upon request, installing water-efficient showerheads and
aerators in guestrooms and using energy-efficient light bulbs and solar
water heaters.
“At Sandals, we take the environment very seriously and make sure
that our operations do not disturb or negatively impact it in any
way,” said Richard May, Group Director of Environmental Affairs,
Sandals Resorts. “Our environmental health and safety programs
are deeply embedded into our culture and daily operations, and it makes
all the difference in protecting the environment, allowing our guests
to enjoy the Caribbean for all of its magnificence.”
Protection and conservation of marine life is also a top priority.
Sandals resorts have been the local representatives of the Coral Reef
Alliance – CORAL – in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks &
Caicos, and Antigua. Each resort conducts beach-cleaning activities at
least twice per year in their respective communities. Additionally, the
company has partnered with numerous organizations to study and reduce
the impact of coastal erosion on the natural beauty of the environment.
“We care very deeply about our ocean environment and its
inhabitants,” said May. “That is why we make sure that
every resort is represented on the board of the Marine Park Management
body in order to protect the turtles, dolphins and coral reefs that
make the Caribbean such a spectacular place to vacation.”
In 1998, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa was the very first
all-inclusive resort to earn the Green Globe 21 Certification, the
worldwide benchmarking and certification program for sustainable travel
and tourism. The process and systems Green Globe 21 evaluates for
certification require a hotel’s serious commitment to its
environmental program, including establishing unwavering standards and
developing a sustainable environmental management system. Sandals
successfully modified their water systems and energy requirements,
adjusted their waste management program and bolstered their
already-strong social involvements within the community to earn this
important certification.
Within three years, the remaining 15 Sandals and Beaches Resorts all
earned the venerable award, catapulting Sandals to a level of
extraordinarily superior standards, not only in guest services, but
also in environmental responsibility. To uphold certification, Green
Globe 21 re-evaluates each property annually to ensure its
environmental standards are up to par. Every year, a team of
environmentalists will engage in a three-day audit, including detailed
inspections and interviews, before issuing re-accreditation. Sandals
Resorts environmental stewardship continues to excel year after year.
Additionally, several Sandals and Beaches properties have been honoured
with the Green Hotel of the Year award at the American Express
Caribbean Environmental Awards. In 2006 Sandals Resorts’ stellar
flagship property, Sandals Montego Bay, was honoured in the large hotel
category for its dedication to preserving and protecting the
environment and for being on the cutting edge of social and
environmental responsibility. Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa was
named large Green Hotel of the Year in 2003, and in 2004, both Sandals
Inn and Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club were awarded the
coveted award in the small and large hotel categories.
As part of its environmental health and safety program, Sandals is also
heavily involved in community development. All of the hotels adopt
schools, and in some cases, entire communities, on the islands where
they operate to ensure that the message of environmental concern is
filtered throughout all levels of the community. The hotels also
participate in forestry department activities such as tree planting,
tree carving and nature tours for wildlife and flora preservation.
A champion of the cause, Sandals and Beaches continue to be
environmentally active, dedicating the necessary time and resources to
create worthwhile programs. Guests can enjoy the best ultra
all-inclusive vacation on the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches of
the Caribbean, knowing that Sandals is committed to protecting and
preserving the land and natural resources of each island for decades to
come.
Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts
has earned a worldwide reputation for providing couples with the most
romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 12
Sandals properties located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The
Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of
à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot
elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits; luxurious accommodations
in a range of categories; unrivalled water sports including the
Caribbean’s largest PADI certification program; Butler Service
for truly indulgent pampering; Preston Bailey Signature
WeddingMoons® and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and
treatments inspired by the region. Coming in June 2007, the five-star,
all suite Mediterranean Village will debut at Sandals Grande Antigua
Resort & Spa, offering couples in love the ultimate romantic
getaway.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for luxury all-inclusive
vacationing and has been voted the World’s Best at the World
Travel Awards for 13 years in a row. For more information, call your
local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit
www.sandals.com. Sandals is represented in Canada by Transat Holidays, ensuring excellent prices for Canadian travellers.
About Beaches - A Place to Play in the Sand:
When it comes
to family vacations, no other resort company in the world offers more
than Beaches Resorts. With four spectacular locations on the most
beautiful beaches in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, Beaches Resorts is
the ultimate family getaway and the most comprehensive vacation
available in the Caribbean including gourmet meals, premium brand
drinks, luxurious accommodations, even tipping.
Fun for the whole family means outrageous water theme parks, Xbox®
Game Oasis Video Game Centers, and exclusive Kids Camps with a full
schedule of age-appropriate activities and childcare provided by
expertly trained Ultra Nannies.
As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches offers another exclusive
for families- the Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame
Street, where kids can spend their vacation with their favourite
friends from the Sesame Street gang. Beaches Resorts is also the
national sponsor of the 2006/2007 Sesame Street Live tour.
With additional amenities including Butler Service for truly indulgent
pampering, Red Lane® Spas with services and treatments inspired by
the region, and the WeddingMoons® and FamilyMoons® programs to
make that special day just perfect, Beaches offers something for
everyone.
Beaches Resorts is part of the Sandals’ family, the
Caribbean’s largest operator of luxury, ultra all-inclusive
resorts and has been voted the World’s Best Family All-Inclusive
Resort for nine years in a row. For more information about Beaches
Resorts, call 1-800-BEACHES (1-800-232-2437) or visit the Web site at www.beaches.com.
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