Sandals has taken top honours at this years “2004 Caribbean Green Hotel of the Year” by scooping both categories; Small Hotel for Sandals Inn, Montego Bay and Jamaica and Large Hotel for Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club, Boscobel, Jamaica. This is also another positive result for the already booming Jamaica.“CAST applauds the achievement of the Sandals chain, which took the decision, a few years back to be more environmentally and socially responsible in their hotel operations,” said Deirdre Shurland, director of CAST, the environmental division of CHA. “The achievements of the two winning properties demonstrates the success - and the wisdom - of this corporate decision. We hope that many other Caribbean-owned properties will be inspired by this success to do the ir part to preserve our Caribbean paradise,” she added.

American Express, the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) recognised ‘green’ management within Caribbean hotel properties in two categories, large hotel (75 rooms and over) and small hotel (75 rooms and under) at this years CHIC hosted in Puerto Rico.

Jeff McKitty, general manager of Beaches Boscobel said of the award; “The hotel deserves this award and it is largely down to our staff. We are one of the first hotels to receive the Green Globe Award during the first eight months of operation.”

CHA and American Express created the Green Hotels Awards to identify, promote and recognise each calendar year, hotels that are exemplars of responsible environmental and social performance through their policies, plans and activities. The Green Hotel of the Year Awards demonstrate the Caribbean travel and tourism industry’s continued commitment to pursuing sustainable tourism development in the region.

The two winning properties obtained the highest combined scores, based on the following 5 criteria: environmental management & stewardship, conservation of natural resources, awareness & community activities, infrastructure & technology, and health & safety.

For more detailed review of why the properties won these accolades see today’s Review section
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