Jamaica’s Half Moon Golf, Tennis and Beach Club is the first winner of the Emerald Award for Sustainable Tourism.
Washington DC-based Counterpart International’s chief executive officer Lelei LeLaulu presented the award at the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Emerald Award honors a luxury hotel with a proven track record in environmental responsibilty.
Commenting on the award, Lelei LeLaulu said: “We decided that it would distinguish itself from other awards by focusing on properties which manage to combine the provision of luxury services and accommodation with a concomitant commitment to environmental conservation
and sustainable tourism.”
He described an emerald as the most valuable and expensive thing that also is “green”.
LeLaulu said there has been a lot of concentration on the eco-lodges and the smaller eco-tourism resorts, which has generated tremendous international interest, publicity and demand.
“So we’ve decided to concentrate more on the other side of the tourism industry and encourage those properties which do draw the upper echelons of international spenders to incorporate sustainable development in the enhancement of their resorts.”
LeLaulu commended Half Moon’s staff who he said are acutely aware of the importance of trying to conserve the Caribbean’s natural environment.
“This is the sort of thing that is terribly difficult to communicate down to your staff while at the same time managing upwards – talking to your boards of directors and investors and saying that we have to spend a little more to ensure that this property is sustainable.”
Half Moon also was named the Caribbean’s leading hotel at the World Travel Awards in St. Lucia last month.
