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Reducing water consumption
Majority of taps are fitted with aerators and all shower heads are aerated. The hotel has a policy of fitting water efficient devices during refurbishments and is in the process of changing toilets to dual flush models. The hotel employs xeroscaping to reduce the water required for irrigation of gardens. All plants are indigenous to the island climate and so watering is not necessary. Guests' are advised with literature in their rooms, signage in the bathrooms and in the public areas of water saving efforts and how to get involved. The hotel implements a linen/towel reuse system supported by, signage in guest rooms and staff training. In the laundry, washing machines use the last rinse cycle water for the first wash.
Waste reduction
Currently recycle plastic which goes to make roofing tiles, glass for various craft projects, newspapers to dice-a-bed (animal bedding), and used cooking oil to be made into animal feed. Guests are encouraged to support this through signage in guest rooms.
Energy reduction
The hotel is actively reducing their energy consumption through a number of measures. All lights are energy efficient light bulbs, where possible equipment is energy efficient and if it is not, there is a policy of replacing with an energy efficient model at the end of its lifespan.
Guests are encouraged to participate by keeping their curtains closed during the day, turning off fans and lights when not required, keeping the thermostat on the AC to a reasonable setting and turning it off when leaving the room. The hotel is also actively involved in the conservation and protection of the natural environment surrounding the hotel. It runs a Sea Turtle conservation project, where guests are educated in how to help monitor and protect the turtles during nesting season in Barbados. Low lighting is used at the sea front.
The hotel regularly organises beach clean ups with the surrounding community, removing shipping debris and waste from tourists to ensure its a clean and pleasant beach for their customers.
As a tour operator
People and places. When you think about it, that’s what holidays are all about. As the UK’s leading long haul tour operator we want to protect them both by striking a balance between having a great time and acting with consideration for the planet and its people. We are working to achieve this balance in 3 ways:
Getting our business in order
We are working hard to address our own direct impacts. These are mainly energy, water use and waste disposal and of course the holiday brochures we produce each year. At our Head Office we are focusing on reducing our energy usage and carbon emissions and of course recycling is law.
Being a good partner
As part of being a good partner we aim to work with our suppliers to encourage them to be more sustainable. We audit our hotel suppliers under the Travelife Sustainability System. This scheme assesses hotels for environmental impact, staff relations and level of community support. Successful hotels can qualify for a bronze, silver or gold Travelife Award.
We also want to highlight excellence in sustainable tourism. That's why we act as headline sponsor of the Responsible Tourism Awards each year and through our own in-house ‘Partnership in Sustainability Award’.
We realise our suppliers face many challenges and are often not large businesses themselves. That's why we invest in destination initiatives that help make it easier for our suppliers to do the right thing. Some of the projects we are currently supporting are;
- A joint project with Oxfam and the Travel Foundation to help Caribbean farmers to grow more and encourage local hotels to buy it, supporting local economies and reducing the reliance on imported goods.
- Switch Off - Save Big; a project with the Travel Foundation to encourage Caribbean hoteliers to save energy and water.
- A Travel Foundation project in Kenya to empower local Maasai communities to earn a fair wage from tourism. The income generated helps the village to provide health care, fresh water and education for the community.
Giving something back
We are committed to helping youth shine by providing life changing opportunities for young people both in the UK and overseas. Through our Caribbean scholarships and support of numerous destination projects we are helping youth shine in whatever they choose to do.
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