Attractions at Royal Caribbean's CocoCay Awarded Gold-Level Eco-Certification

The attractions and tour operations at Royal Caribbean Cruises' tropical island, CocoCay, have been awarded a Gold-Level Eco-Certification by Sustainable Travel International as part of the Sustainable Tourism Education Program™ (STEP). The cruise line’s private 140-acre island – located in The Bahamas' Berry Island chain between Freeport and Nassau – attained the globally recognized sustainable tourism standard after an assessment of all areas including work place practices, guest education and communications, and environmental management policies and practices.

Sustainable Travel International, a non-profit organization that supports sustainable tourism development through responsible travel has partnered with Royal Caribbean since 2008 to enhance the cruise company's Environmental Stewardship Strategy. STEP was developed to provide industry tour operators, attractions and other providers with educational tools, including the STEP Sustainable Shore Excursion Program, which helps cruise industry operators manage a variety of sustainability efforts. STEP includes one of the first global certifications to be formally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

“We are thrilled that CocoCay has achieved this prestigious certification that further emphasizes our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Rich Pruitt, associate VP safety and environmental stewardship, Royal Caribbean Cruises. “By working with organizations such as Sustainable Travel International Royal Caribbean continues to focus on providing an incredible vacation experience both onboard its ships and its private destinations like CocoCay.”

For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.