PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the largest business representative on the island, recently donated $473 to Environmental Protection in the Caribbean- Sint Maarten (EPIC) for brochures which describe the Green Key eco-label, which the Foundation operates locally.
The international Green Key award is earned by hotels and other accommodations which meet strict environmental and safety criteria. This year the first Green Key for St. Maarten was awarded to Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel. This has inspired interest from other hoteliers. The specific criteria which must be met can be found at EPIC’s website, www.epicislands.org.
EPIC’s President Natalia Collier noted “The SHTA has been a key partner in establishing Green Key on St. Maarten and we are grateful for the organization’s ongoing support for sustainable tourism.”
The Green Key eco-label is owned and internationally operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an independent non-profit organization. EPIC has been a member of FEE since 2008 and is the National Operator of the Green Key and Blue Flag for Beach and Marina programs on St. Maarten.
Green Key is the fastest growing eco-label for tourism facilities and has been implemented by countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. The program is now present in some 49 Countries and boasts in excess of 2,400 awarded sites. Internationally, Green Key establishments report many benefits such as savings on water and energy usage, waste reduction, a noticeably better environment for guests and staff, an improved environmental image, marketing advantages, and increased activity and sales.
The SHTA is dedicated to bringing quality to all aspects of life on St. Maarten by promoting sustainable economic development for its members in cooperation with partners and the creation of a fair marketplace. For more information contact their office at 542-0108 or visit the website www.shta.com.
