Green Globe announced recertification of the Barcelo Punta Cana Hotel, located on Playa Arena Gorda in the Punta Cana region on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic. The hotel is dedicated to preserving this leading touristic destination for generations of travelers to come, ensuring that beaches continue to meet high environmental standards for water quality and environmental management, safety and services, and environmental education and information.

Barcelo Hotels and Resorts continuously play an important role in the travel and tourism industry’s worldwide environmental efforts. On a corporate level, Barceló Hotels and Resorts have initiated sustainable efforts in the following six categories: waste management, power-saving and biodegradable products, sustainable design and construction, training to obtain greater ecological awareness among employees and staff, shared information inviting guests to reuse towels and sheets, and restoration of the native ecosystem surrounding the resorts.

“Commitment to sustainability is a valued company practice for Barcelo Hotels&Resorts,” affirmed Sandy Pfeil, General Manager at Barcelo Punta Cana, “Our hotel is proud to be recognized for our green efforts, as we continue to provide a quality experience for guests while protecting our surrounding environment.”

The Dominican Republic, in the heart of the Caribbean, offers a unique environment in which visitors can find some of the world’s most beautiful, white-sand beaches, distributed along 1,575 kilometers of coastline boasting turquoise-colored waters, lush vegetation, and colorful coral reefs.

The Barcelo Punta Cana on Playa Arena Gorda is surrounded by tropical gardens of more than 400,000 square meters. Its seabed near Playa Bavaro boasts several kilometers of coral reef, a very rich fauna and flora, and a great diversity of colors and shapes, which makes this seabed one of the most coveted in the world for scuba diving. Furthermore, visitors can explore two sunken ships in the nearby areas during professionally-guided excursions by the hotel.

Green Globe Certification’s CEO, Guido Bauer, said: “We are pleased to recertify Barcelo Punta Cana. The successful completion of the certification process demonstrates once more that this resort maintains and practices a strong commitment to the principles of both environmental and social sustainability. The hotel invites guests to join them in their environmental efforts and energy-saving practices every day. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful nature and beaches surrounding the resort – all while relaxing in the comfort of knowing these are environmentally-friendly accommodations.”