Green on Scene

By Ellie Swain

Tips for choosing eco-friendly accommodations for the whole family

Reusing towels and using energy-efficient light bulbs is no longer enough to make accommodations eco-friendly or ‘green.’ Fortunately, there are many properties who have stepped up their game and are embracing eco-friendly practices as part of the green trend.

Consider choosing an eco-friendly accommodation, not just to look after our planet but to help us set a good example to our kids, too. As the green travel industry grows, consider these questions when you book your accommodations for your next holiday getaway:

MANY HOTELS SUPPORT PROJECTS TO SAVE SEA TURTLES

WHERE IS THE WATER SOURCED FROM?

While a nice swimming pool is always great for the kids to splash around in, if the hotel or resort is filled with decorative pools and fountains, think about where the water is coming from and if it’s draining local resources.

For example, some excellent eco-friendly hotels and accommodations do their part to conserve water by collecting rainwater to keep plants and lawns green, and using low-flow toilets.

WHAT ABOUT ENERGY PRODUCTION?

An interesting fact to know is how a hotel produces its energy because it affects nearly all the accommodation’s operations. Buildings that switch to alternative energy sources like solar power clearly make choices to impact the earth positively.

WIND TURBINES PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

© DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF TOURISM

DO THEY USE LOCAL SUPPLIERS?

When it comes to food, drinks, toiletries and other items typically used in accommodations, does the hotel use local suppliers? Again, sourcing these items locally helps families in the region support themselves. This is especially important when visiting emerging countries that may struggle economically without support from the tourism industry.

LOCAL FARMS WORK WITH HOTELS IN THE DOMINICA REPUBLIC

DO THEY RECYCLE?

One of the easiest ways to practice sustainability is by recycling as much as possible. But on vacation, it can be more challenging to control where your waste goes, especially in countries that aren’t fully set up for recycling. Eco-friendly hotels will provide bins in rooms and lounge areas, and recycle food waste from their kitchen.

DON’T BE SHY TO ASK QUESTIONS

As we look forward to travelling together again, consider the green trend and find a hotel that the whole family can feel good about. Don’t be shy about asking your travel advisor questions. Any reputable eco-friendly accommodation should be able to offer answers and address any concerns.

5 ECO-FRIENDLY STAYS YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT

There is no shortage of eco-minded hotels to choose from for your sun holiday. Here are a few to ponder:

Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

This pretty property ticks a lot of boxes for green practices. It has solar panels on-site, grows its own flowers in its greenhouse, composts food scraps for its gardens and is active in saving sea turtles. The Jamaica Inn Foundation helps support the Oracabessa Bay Turtle Project and the White River Fish Sanctuary.

Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Guests love this property for its abundance of amenities. It continues to seek greener ways to incorporate into all of them, including electric golf carts for zipping around the expansive grounds, focusing on local ingredients in its restaurants and supporting a local reef and conservation project.

Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Located in a private gated resort community, the property aims to preserve authenticity and protect the delicate ecosystem of the Mayan Riviera by limiting transport throughout the resort. Only boats, bikes, and electric golf carts are allowed on-site. Menus feature local, organic, and sustainable ingredients, many of which are sourced from area co-ops, fishermen and small producers.

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Playa del Carmen,

Mexico. The resort uses sustainable energy such as solar power along with sophisticated water treatment to reduce both the carbon footprint and the impact to the surrounding environment. They also engage in a variety of initiatives designed to benefit the local community. As a guest, you can take part in these programs and learn more about the indigenous people of the region. The resort has also rescued many abused and neglected animals and acts as somewhat of a nature reserve (biosphere reserve) where endemic species can thrive and live free from poachers and exploitation.

EXPLORING NATURE AT SANDOS CARACOL ECO RESORT

© SANDOS CARACOL ECO RESORT

Bougainvillea Resort, Barbados.

The property aims to encourage teamwork and solidarity in order to achieve the goal of sustainable tourism development within the community where it operates. Their strategic intent is “to work today to minimize any negative effect on the environment of Barbados and in the long term to ensure that our community improves through our involvement.”