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LOCALTuesday 1 September 2015
On Aruba:
Three Ways Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts Leads the Way In Eco-Tourism
EAGLE BEACH - Every day are rewarded with a bottle coveted ISO 14001 environ- top-performing sustainable the title of “Green Hotelier
is Earth Day at Aruba’s of bubbles to enjoy after. mental certification every travel and tourism business of the Year” by Caribbean
premier adults-only re- As part of Bucuti’s mission year since 2003. Additional- in the Caribbean by Green Journal’s 2014 Caribbean
sort, which continues to to provide guests with a ly, Bucuti earned the Green Globe and ISLANDS’ top Travel Awards.
raise the bar in sustainabil- total sense of wellness, the Globe High Achievement 100 worldwide sustainable
ity even after 25 years of resort’s beachfront restau- Award and is currently organizations. He has been COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP:
leadership. Long before rant, Elements, is Aruba’s working to obtain its fourth honored on numerous oc- Bucuti has been commit-
“going green” was in fash- first and only restaurant that green certification, LEED. casions both locally and in- ted to playing an active
ion, Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara provides the opportunity to role in the local commu-
Beach Resorts was pav- enjoy gluten-free, vegan, As the leader of the resort’s ternationally for his environ- nity and taking leader-
ing the way in eco-friendly or natural and organic Green Team, owner Ewald mental preservation work, ship whenever possible,
practices. Today’s travel- dining in the presence of Biemans has led the re- including the International encouraging other resorts
ers, especially millennials, breathtaking views. Re- sort to earning the global Hotel & Restaurant Associ- on-island to take initiative
are more conscious of the cently, the resort took the recognition of more than ation’s 2004 Environmental to protect Aruba’s natural
environment and actively pledge to be a part of two dozen environmen- Award (worldwide) for “In- resources. From offering
seek out hotels that meet the Water Sense H2Otel tal awards and certifica- novation in Environmental site tours to local students
or exceed “green” stan- Challenge, which is a U.S. tions, including the Highest Best Practices.” and hoteliers to speaking
dards. Bucuti has been at Environmental Protection Achievement Award as the Recently, Biemans earned at conferences throughout
the forefront of the green Agency (EPA) partnership the region, Biemans and his
movement in hospitality for program designed to help staff welcome the opportu-
the past 25 years and is for- save water for future gen- nity to educate others on
ever committed to preserv- erations. Bucuti is currently sustainable practices.
ing Aruba’s rich culture and the only resort outside of Recently, Biemans led a
environment by continually North America that has session aptly named “Bou-
setting the bar higher with taken the initiative at this tique Resorts: Innovations
new practices. time. For more information and Eco Certifications at
on Bucuti’s eco initiatives, The Caribbean Symposium
Below are three reasons check out their website. for Innovators in Coastal
why Bucuti is considered an Tourism” in Grenada. As
industry leader in sustain- INDUSTRY RECOGNITION: part of their commitment
able travel: The resort has achieved to conserving the beauty
15 consecutive years of
ECO-INITIATIVES: Bucuti Green Globe Certification of Aruba’s natural environ-
proactively takes steps to as well as the distinction of ment, the resort regularly
protect the environment: being the first hotel in the donates to local charities
using solar panels to heat Americas to earn the highly including Aruba’s Donkey
water, which is reused for Sanctuary. For more in-
garden irrigation; using formation or to book, call
motion-sensor-activated 888-4-BUCUTI or visit http://
lighting throughout the re- www.bucuti.com/reserve-
sort; and buying in bulk now.q
whenever possible. Rain-
water is also collected and
used for irrigation and all
welcome signs for guests
are recycled from boxes.
Upon check in, guests are
provided with water can-
teens to use throughout
the resort, thereby eliminat-
ing the need to purchase
plastic water bottles. Bucuti
also invites guests to take
part in their monthly beach
cleanup with employees
to aid in preserving Eagle
Beach. Participating guests
receive a t-shirt to wear
during the cleanup and
