MIAMI — Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts has solidified its sustainability strategy via proactive measures in alignment with the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda.
The Spanish hospitality brand says it continues to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable hospitality with new and added initiatives that include the reduction of the brand’s carbon footprint, conservation of marine resources and reforestation.
Recycling with Bahia Principe
“In 2017, we made a commitment to follow the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a blueprint created by the U.N. with a stated aim to achieve peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future,” says Antonia del Toro, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Grupo Piñero. “There are 17 SDGs that stand at the core of the 2030 Agenda. We’re pleased to report that in the past year alone, Bahia Principe have initiated proactive measures to contribute to 10 of them.”
Bahia Principe’s sea turtles program
Some of the highlights include …
. Bahia Principe has reduced its carbon footprint by 4% per hotel stay: This year the brand enacted its Strategic Energy Efficiency plan to reduce air pollution in the destinations where it operates. This plan, which supports SDG 13 which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has led to a 4% carbon footprint reduction per each hotel stay compared to last year.
. Electric model vehicles at golf courses in La Romana and Riviera Maya: Bahia Principe’s Sustainable Mobility plan also took effect this year with the brand upgrading 100% of the vehicles on its La Romana and Riviera Maya golf courses to electric models. Additionally, as of now 90% of the vehicles used for consumer transportation on hotel properties have also been upgraded to electric.
Bahia Principe guests can embark on ecological walks
. Educating younger travellers on conservation and climate change: Via Eco-Bahia Foundation, a program available at the brand’s Riviera Maya properties, Bahia Principe promotes the conservation of local flora and fauna and contributes to SDG 15, which is centered on educating guests and employees on forest conservation and sustainability, by educating guests involved in the kids program on the importance of taking care of the environment. Through this program Bahia Principe also carries out measures to protect marine fauna, like sea turtles via a rescue program, contributing to SDG 14, that concerns life below water.
. Partnerships with local organizations: The brand is in collaboration with a number of local organizations in its destinations that share similar sustainable objectives, which is the main aim of SDG 17 – for example, the Humpback Whale Museum in Samana, which seeks to educate visitors on marine animals and their conservation.
. Reforestation and conservation of endangered flora: Continuing its contribution to SDG 15, Bahia Principe has planted more than 15,000 native trees and plants in the D.R. and Mexico, in collaboration with entities that protect endangered local flora and tree species, such as the National Botanical Garden Dr. Rafael Maria Moscoso in D.R. Protected species like the Dominican’s national flower – the Bayahibe Rose, the Ceiba and the Guayiga, all which can now be found in the gardens of the recently renovated Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana. At Ocean’s 4 golf course in La Romana, more than 3,000 trees have been reforested in the last years, including endangered species and national tree for the D.R., the Caoba. In Mexico, more than 3,000 palms have been reforested at the Riviera Maya Golf Club, including endangered species the Nakax Palm, Chit Palm and Kuka Palm.
Grand Bahia Principe Turquesa’s water park
More information about Bahia Principe is at bahiaprincipe.com. For more information on the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda, Bahia Principe says the best place to start is un.org.
