Palace Resort Group Signs With Earthcheck

March 16, 2010 - PRLog -- 16 March 2010, Cancun, Mexico – Latin America is widely regarded as the cradle of ecotourism. Indeed, until recently, most of Mexico's protected areas and biosphere reserves were simply off-limits to tourism.

Keeping popular destinations such as Cancun beautiful is a task that one local company – Palace Resorts - takes very seriously.  That’s why they’ve become the first new group Member globally to sign up to EarthCheck; the Environmental Sustainability Program that’s raising the benchmark for certification.

The EarthCheck Program is managed by EC3 Global and helps businesses in the travel and tourism industry monitor, measure and manage their operational efficiencies. The Program’s science is used by more than 1,000 organizations in over 60 countries and requires adherence to the highest of scientific Standards.

It’s this science-based approach to sustainable tourism that appeals to Palace Resorts. It will help them implement a best-of-breed approach to operations, conservation measures and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Palace Resorts is acutely aware that the appeal of their brand is inextricably linked with that of the surrounding environment. They operate five-star, all-inclusive properties in the Mexican playgrounds of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Riviera Nayarit, as well as in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Many of the Palace Resorts properties are found in the state of Quintana Roo, where a large percentage of Mexico’s parks and reserves are found. A staggering 20% of the region is environmentally protected in one way or another. But as Mexico's small Parks budget is insufficient, there is a reliance on companies, such as Palace Resorts, to take an active interest in maintaining Park preservation.

In 2004, Palace Resorts established The Palace Resorts Foundation to provide a focused way to positively impact the environment, the lives of children, the elderly, families and host communities of locations where their properties were found.

“Since starting the Palace Resorts brand 25 years ago, we have been keenly aware of the need to preserve the beauty of the destinations where our resorts are located,” said Roberto Chapur, President of Palace Resorts. “Caring for the environment also means caring for the people, so the establishment of The Palace Resorts Foundation was a natural place for us to start.”

Over the past 25 years, the Foundation’s efforts have saved 338,181 endangered turtles, 2121 trees and treated more than 2,033 ill residents. This year, Palace Resorts has taken their commitment to caring for Mexico even further, by becoming the first new group Member to sign for the EarthCheck Program.
 
The EarthCheck Program focuses on ways to increase operational efficiencies in order to minimise environmental footprints. A proven system used by the best in the trade, EarthCheck relies on its network of third-party auditors to verify compliance to the Earthcheck Standard and maintain brand integrity.

Later in the year, the world’s leaders will descend on Mexico for the COP 16 event. They will be discussing the environmental challenges facing their countries and looking for ways to address the concerns of business.

Many delegates will stay at a Palace Resorts property, making it imperative that the hotels set shining examples of efficient sustainability practices.  

“For a Mexican host to be implementing science-based sustainability measures sends a clear message that it’s time to stop talking and start acting,” explained Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global. “If we believe that the planet deserves more than half measures, then consumers and business need to move forward, rather than waiting for Governments to set the agenda. That way, they’ll be better prepared to cope with change, when climate change legislation comes into effect.”

As for Palace Resorts; they know that the fastest way to reduce their environmental footprint is to decrease the amount of resources they use. They’re wise to the fact that increased efficiencies and reduced costs have a direct impact on the bottom line. And as for the “intangible” benefits of CSR initiatives; it’s hard to argue with the logic of helping host communities flourish and destinations appealing to guests.



EC3 Global is the world's largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism operators. With more than 1000 clients in over 60 countries, the company’s EarthCheck Program responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management. It provides benchmarking, certification and performance improvement systems that result in average savings of 30 per cent for energy and waste stream, and 20 per cent savings for water consumption. Go to www.earthcheck.org  or   www.ec3global.com


Palace Resorts
With 12 oceanfront resorts overlooking sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea or the tranquil Pacific Ocean, Palace Resorts celebrates 25 years of setting the highest standards for five-star all-inclusive vacations in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Palace Resorts provides an exceptional experience for travelers, offering luxurious and spacious accommodations accentuated by their signature in-room double Jacuzzi ®, nightly entertainment, the Caribbean's most extravagant spas and premier championship golf courses. Palace Resorts’ unparalleled level of service and comfort found at each property makes them a leader in providing world-class resort vacations. Go to www.palaceresorts.com or call (800) 635-1836.

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EC3 Global is the world's largest certifier of sustainable travel & tourism operators. With more than 1000 clients in over 60 countries, the company’s EarthCheck Program responds to the environmental problems facing the planet.