SANDALS Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort in St Ann was recently named the 2007 Green Hotel of the Year at the American Express Caribbean Environmental Awards during the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Conference in Miami, Florida.

The resort was honoured for demonstrating responsibility for and commitment to environmental and social performance through its policies, plans and activities.

The resort received the highest combined scores of any resort in the Caribbean based on a number of criteria, including environmental management and stewardship, conservation of natural resources, awareness and community activities, infrastructure and technology, and health and safety.

Sandals Resorts’ chairman and founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart accepted the prestigious award from the chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), Sir Royston Hopkin.

“At Sandals Resorts, we are on the cutting edge of social and environmental responsibility and remain fully committed to this effort. Being in the travel and tourism industry, we recognise that we have the potential to contribute significantly to environmental preservation,” Stewart said, adding that the award represents the chain’s continued commitment to upholding stringent green standards on all its properties.

At Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, progressive green programmes have been implemented, incorporating environmental protection measures into management systems. Environmental manager Craig Clark oversees the integrity of the resort’s programmes, 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. Specifically, the resort has implemented a ‘Four R’ commitment programme:

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink”. To support this, every structure on the property makes efficient use of natural lighting, almost everything is recycled including linens, food, paper and unused drinking water – which goes to the plants and gardens – and water and energy consumption is continuously monitored.

Sandals Resorts, including the award-winning Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, also prides itself on its involvement with the local community on projects such as tree planting, marine wildlife protection, and beach clean-ups. These ventures are designed to teach the younger generation conservation ideals, and instil in them the drive to protect their surrounding environment throughout their lifetimes.

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts (Sandals’ sister brand) have long been commended for their deep-rooted commitment to conservation; every property in the resort chain has been Green Globe-certified by CAST. Additionally, several Sandals and Beaches Resorts have been honoured with the Green Hotel of the Year award at the American Express Caribbean Environmental Awards. The resorts include Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, and Sandals Inn and Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club.

“At Sandals and Beaches Resorts, we believe that the Caribbean is the most stunning corner of the earth and we take our role in protecting and nurturing it very seriously,” said Richard May, group director of Environmental Affairs for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.