All-inclusive hotel group Bahia Principe has been awarded 12 new gold certifications by sustainability scheme Travelife – meaning 23 of its 25 properties now hold the distinction.
The company, which has resorts in the Caribbean and Spain, earned 19 Travelife gold certifications after inspections in 2018 – including the 12 new certifications and a renewal of seven certifications achieved in 2016.
A further four properties achieved four gold designations in 2017.
Antonia del Toro, director of corporate social responsibility at Grupo Pinero, the brand’s parent company, said: “These designations represent an important achievement for our team and we are pleased to have the efforts of our long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility validated by Travelife.
“Beyond being one of our brand’s key strategic pillars, we consider this commitment crucial to our success. To have achieved 23 certifications in two years positions Bahia Principe as one of the most sustainable hotel chains in the Caribbean.”
To achieve a Travelife gold certification, hospitality brands must meet 163 criteria which assess sustainability management systems.
These criteria cover policies such as quality assurance; health and safety procedures; environmental management standards; labour and human rights; supporting local communities; standards for suppliers; and initiatives to encourage hotel guests to support environmental, social and community work.
Del Toro added: “Receiving these types of sustainability certifications requires a strong commitment, not only from management but from all hotel employees.
“It is dependent on comprehensive processes that require time and resources and entails a cultural shift in the way we do business, mindfully incorporating into our daily activities sustainable actions that can positively impact our communities and the environment.”
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