Eagle Beach, Aruba - October 13, 2003 - The team at Best Western Manchebo Beach Resort is jumping for joy after a highly successful audit last week. They have become the FIRST property on Aruba to benchmark for Green Globe 21. The FIRST property on Aruba to be recommended for certification to the new Green Globe 21 Standard! The FIRST Best Western property worldwide to be recommended for international environmental certification!
Mr. Ray Kirton, of AJA Auditing Company said of the management & staff at BW Manchebo " they exhibit a high level of professionalism, commitment & enthusiasm to their environmental performance. Of particular note are their
community programs. Community activities are considered to be fun days and something to be enjoyed, not a duty to be undertaken".
Edgar Roelofs, Director of Operations says that "Certification for Green Globe 21 Standard is the first important step in achieving the resort's vision: "To preserve a safe and healthy environment for the island of Aruba, its people and our visiting guests". Regular scheduled meetings of both the Green Team and Green Crew and benchmarking with other Green Resorts on the island will ensure that Manchebo Beach Resort will continue to be moving forward".
Jacky Cruz, Front Desk Manager says of her community activists, " they are impassioned, spirited and believe that initiatives such as our Green Kids Club for children from across the island can only benefit the nation as a whole. If we make it fun for kids to get on board the Green Band Wagon, then we all have a future."
Rita van Vollevelde, Operations Manager formed an impressive double-act with Lidia Halley, Sales & Marketing coordinator, to spearhead the properties Green Team. Rita commented that the preparation for, and achievement of, environmental certification has been a massive team building exercise as every single member of staff has been involved in Eco-ACTIONS on the property and in their homes. She says folks were dancing and hugging each other with joy on Saturday afternoon after the result was known. Also Manchebo would like to thank Mr. Theo van der Post for his great input.
The Green Team led the environmental initiatives and comprises Marlene Pemberton (Housekeeper), Richenell Ferrero (Maintenance Supervisor), Geronimo Blanco (Food & Beverage Manager), Theo Poiesz (F&B Purchasing), Wendy Leysner (Accounting Supervisor), alongside Rita, Lidia, Jacky and Edgar.
The Green CREW are a bunch of dedicated department staffers who have promised to make actions happen ~ from recycled art competitions (we loved the cork door curtain now on display in the lobby), to developing a web-page, to changing the way the property operates by including reusing anything possible, purchasing in bulk, eliminating cleaning chemicals from the property and community outreach. Hat's Off to Gerald, Fanny, Richard, Roosje, Erwin & Chef in F&B, Angelo, Sandra & Rudolf at Front Desk, LeiChin in Administration, Yolanda in housekeeping, Max & Jose in Maintenance.
