Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s principal tourist destinations has been leading the charge toward environmentally sustainable tourism for some time. In November, ’98, the 84-room Negril Cabins Resort became the first in the world to achieve Green Globe certification, closely followed by Sea Splash Resort, Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, and Sandals Negril Resort & Spa.
Green Globe’s standards were introduced to Jamaica through a USAID-funded project, EAST (Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism), which is implemented through the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association. SGS, one of the world’s largest certifiers, provides independent assessment of environmental improvements.
EAST generates awareness and understanding of the benefits of auditing and the use of environmental management systems in business operations. It also teaches Jamaicans the technical skills which are necessary to run a successful EMS programme.
According to Negril Cabins Resort owner, Maxi Bell, “Our preparations for certification have helped immensely in terms of the overall management and environmental efficiency of the hotel. The environmental improvements have already paid back in terms of the cost of operating the hotel, and in terms of the well being of the property and grounds.”
Located next to Jamaica’s largest and best preserved wetlands with its hundreds of rare plants, Negril Cabins is built with an environmentally sensitive design. Its simple wooden buildings set on stilts at tree level have been featured in Architectural Digest.
Certification of small hotels in Jamaica is being widely heralded as a strategic marketing advantage for the island nation. In just under a year, 20 detailed EMS audits of small and medium-sized hotels have identified first year average savings of approximately US$50,000. A number of small hotels are working toward certification and some 30 private sector auditors and 60 hotel managers have been trained in environmental management. EAST has enabled US$100,000 worth of equipment and systems to be procured and installed in the hotels.
EAST: Hugh Cressner: east@infochan.com
negrilcabins@toj.com
The Green Hotelier
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