PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Six AMResorts properties have earned Rainforest Alliance certification, it was announced on Sept. 7.
The six properties that have earned eco certification this year include Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Dreams Los Cabos Golf Resort & Spa, Now Larimar Punta Cana and Now Garden Punta Cana.
With these new certifications, the resort company has expanded its sustainability program by more than 30 per cent, with a new total of 25 resorts certified in Mexico and the Caribbean.
To qualify for the certification, resorts must demonstrate their commitment to conservation by minimizing their environmental footprint, while also supporting local culture, workforce and the surrounding community. The Rainforest Alliance audit is a comprehensive certification process, assessing the following sustainability standards: Protection of nearby ecosystems; wise use of natural resources; climate change mitigation; benefits to the social and cultural development of surrounding communities.
As part of AMResorts’ involvement in the Rainforest Alliance program, the company has engaged its resorts in a variety of green initiatives. This includes celebrating environment-focused holidays such as Earth Hour and Earth Day, coordinating beach clean-ups, sponsoring local schools and employing local vendors, limiting excess water by recycling on-property, and protecting local wildlife with activities like the turtle releases at Now Jade Riviera Cancun and Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun.
“As travel industry leaders, AMResorts places a high priority on maintaining sustainable practices across all of our resorts,” said Jan LaPointe, senior director, sales and marketing, Canada and senior director, AMRewards.
Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is the latest resort to earn certification through such best practices as sustainable management planning, quality management, human resource management, and a food and beverage safety program. Beyond the recent certification, the resort was also awarded the Travelife Gold, an international sustainability accreditation for the management of social and environmental impact in travel destinations.
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