Last week, 150 experts gathered in Grenada to examine a topic that Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts has been a leader in for decades; sustainable tourism. The Caribbean Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, which was the first of this kind in the region, served as a platform for industry leaders to share their thoughts and visions on innovative coastal tourism models including what they have accomplished to date and what opportunities lie ahead. Over 40 experts attended the workshops and sessions, showcasing an ongoing wider adoption of sustainable tourism models in the Caribbean region.
Ewald Biemans, owner of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts led the session aptly named Boutique Resorts: Innovations and Eco Certifications. As a leader in both innovation and eco certifications Bucuti’s Green Team has set many benchmarks earning the global recognition of more than two dozen environmental awards and certifications, including the Highest Achievement Award as the top performing sustainable travel & tourism business in the Caribbean by Green Globe Certification. Additionally, the resort is the first in the Caribbean to be officially ISO 1401 & Green Globe certified. Bucuti is also in the process of pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification which will be the fourth green certification the resort receives, adding to their long list of best practices.
“I have always been of the mindset that what is good for the environment is also good for business and symposiums that address these topics not only benefit the individual attendees, but help to create solutions that will positively impact both the tourism industry and the environment as a whole,” commented Biemans. “It’s important to share our story and explain that we’ve found implementing conservation practices has enhanced our guest experience and provided us with an opportunity to play a vital role in preserving Aruba’s rich culture and environment.”
The Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism was supported by Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts and brought together not only those innovators currently involved in designing, financing, constructing and operating socially and environmentally sustainable coastal tourism developments, but also potential adopters. The collaborative effort was created by CREST, Stanford University, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization in Grenada.
