Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, which operates all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Spain, reports that it is officially an active contributor to 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.
Measures to contribute to the 10 goals include:
Bahia Principe has reduced its carbon footprint by 4 percent per hotel stay: This year the brand enacted its Strategic Energy Efficiency plan to reduce air pollution in the destinations where it operates. This plan, which supports SDG 13, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has led to a 4 percent carbon footprint reduction per each hotel stay compared to last year.
Electric model vehicles at golf courses in La Romana and Riviera Maya: Bahia Principe’s Sustainable Mobility plan also took effect this year with the brand upgrading 100 percent of the vehicles on its La Romana and Riviera Maya golf courses to electric models. Additionally, as of now 90 percent of the vehicles used for consumer transportation on hotel properties have also been upgraded to electric.
Educating younger travelers on conservation and climate change: Via the Eco-Bahia Foundation, a program available at the brand’s Riviera Maya properties, Bahia Principe promotes the conservation of local flora and fauna and contributes to SDG 15, which is centered on educating guests and employees on forest conservation and sustainability, by educating guests involved in the kids program on the importance of taking care of the environment. Through this program Bahia Principe also carries out measures to protect marine fauna, like sea turtles via a rescue program, contributing to SDG 14, which concerns life below water.
Partnerships with local organizations: The brand is in collaboration with a number of local organizations in its destinations that share similar sustainable objectives, which is the main aim of SDG 17 – for example, the Humpback Whale Museum in Samana, which seeks to educate visitors on marine animals and their conservation.
Reforestation and conservation of endangered flora: Continuing its contribution to SDG 15, Bahia Principe has planted more than 15,000 native trees and plants in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, in collaboration with entities that protect endangered local flora and tree species, such as the Dr. Rafael Maria Moscoso National Botanical Garden in the Dominican Republic. Protected species like the Dominican Republic’s national flower, the bayahibe rose, the ceiba and the guayiga, all which can now be found in the gardens of the recently renovated Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar in Punta Cana. At the Ocean’s 4 golf course in La Romana, more than 3,000 trees have been reforested, including endangered species and the national tree of the Dominican Republic, the caoba. In Mexico, more than 3,000 palms have been reforested at the Riviera Maya Golf Club, including endangered species the nakax palm, chit palm and kuka palm.
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