BEACHES Negril Resort and Spa was recently presented with the PADI Green Star Award, reaffirming its commitment to environmental preservation and its place as a leading green hotel.

PADI — the Professional Association of Diving Instructors — is the world’s largest scuba certifying/diver training organisation.

In commending Beaches Negril, PADI Americas senior customer service representative Angela Rimando stated that the achievement “helps prove that green initiatives are both environmentally and commercially viable and in turn helps to promote eco-friendly programmes among other organisations”.

Rimando also lauded the resort for its outstanding performance in introducing green and socially responsible practices.

PADI dive centres and resorts must demonstrate dedication to environmental conservation in their day-to-day operations as well as a concerted effort to promote environmental awareness in their interaction with customers. Among the Green Star Award criteria for assessment are water conservation, eco-friendly transportation practices, energy use, use of sustainable material, optimised waste management and conservation leadership.

“Our sea, our beach, our aquatic life are integral parts of our communities and, by extension, the Caribbean tourism product. We are all responsible for the preservation of these gems,” said Beaches Negril general manager Adrian Whitehead. “Hundreds of divers come to the Caribbean and more people have a greater appreciation of the proper maintenance of our ecosystems; they want to know that the product to which they are being exposed is of superior quality. This award will help us to make an even bolder statement to the world that together we can work together to make a difference in the environment,” he said.

Six of Beaches Negril’s sister properties have also earned the PADI Green Star Award. They are Sandals Negril, Sandals Grande Riviera, Sandals Emerald Bay, Sandals Grande St Lucia, Sandals Montego Bay and Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Beaches Negril also holds platinum certification from the world renowned environmental benchmarking firm EarthCheck, the Kuoni Green Planet Award, Green Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Science and the Blue Flag certification by the Negril Area Protection Trust and the international non-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education for eco-friendliness.