The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) honoured Bucuti Beach Resort of Aruba, with the IH&RA 2004 Environmental Award for “Innovation in Environmental Best Practice.” Owner Ewald Biemans accepted the award at the International Hotel & Restaurant’s 41st Annual Congress in Istanbul, Turkey on November 21, 2004.Ê“I am extremely proud of our Green Team’s extraordinary efforts,” states Biemans. “The team, led by Doris Dreischor, made this prestigious award possible. The award not only spotlights our resort, but is tremendous for Aruba in the international hospitality arena” states Biemans.

Upon accepting the award, Biemans addressed the audience, including dignitaries from around the world, with an audio visual presentation which gave an overview of Bucuti Beach Resort’s “innovative and environmental practices” that earned the resort this esteemed award.

Award sponsors gave Biemans a Bucuti Beach Resort a plaque and a cash award which will be given to the resort’s Green Team to celebrate their efforts.Ê Biemans was also interviewed by the BBC network, again giving the resort and Aruba international acclaim.

The IH&RA and founding sponsor American Express created the Environmental Award in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, Green Globe 21, and Shell LPG to recognize and encourage environmental leadership in the hospitality industry.

The theme for the 2004 award was “innovation in Environmental Best Practices” and focused on unique and creative methods hotels and restaurants use to protect the environment in their day-to-day operations, while promoting long-term sustainable development and travel and tourism” states Director of the Division of Technology, Industry & Economics, United Nations Environment Program Monique Barbut.
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