La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort is happy to announce that it was just re-certified for Green Globe 21, a prestigious status earned by the hotel for the first time in 2002. "We adhere to Green Globe 21," says General Manager Lou Roelofsen, "and by practicing the recommended strategies we reduced cost, widen our market appeal especially among Europeans, and enhance our product quality. Improve environmental performance," he adds, "results in overall savings."
Green Globe 21, the environment stewardship program, in place at the resort for five year, is practiced by guests and assisted by employees. Frank Sabajo, the resort's Environmental Coordinator reports guests help recycle and that his department separated 97.000 kilograms of cardboard, aluminum tins, glass and plastic, saving it from the dump. "We try to increase this number by 10% each years," he states.
The recent Green Globe 21 audit was handled by the resort's Green Team pictured below, and officially conducted by auditor Peter Hacket. "We are one of five certified resorts on Aruba," Sabajo informs, "and we would like to see 100% of the hotels involved, heading in the same direction."
La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort has shown its commitment to the environment and and its willingness to protect the island's natural resources by joining the certification program. "We're safeguarding the island for the use of future generation," Sabajo declares. In addition to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, the resort now Refuses certain deliveries, if not compliant with Green Globe 21 standards, Sabajo informs.
Green Globe 21 was born in 1994 at the World Travel & Tourism Council, WTTC, following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Green Globe introduces standards of environmental management aimed specifically at the travel and tourism industry. It now acts as an accreditation body assisting companies and partners in creating a global brand for sustainable travel and tourism. Based in the United Kingdom, it is recognized all over the world. Environmental tourism in one of the growth areas in the tourism industry, and in a haste to maximize this market, resorts must first make sure they protect and enhance the environment by embracing the Green Globe process.
Next year, Sabajo states, the resort will increase its use of bio-degradable chemicals, now on a 50% level. The use of friendly chemicals causes less skin irritations and less injuries, resulting in an improved performance and less sick days. The resort will also continue reducing its solid waste sent to landfills, by further expanding aluminum cans, glass, paper and cardboard recycling.
Pictured here the environmental team following the re-certification.
