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Dominican Republic Resort, Sunscape Casa del Mar, Implements Strong and Creative Ideas to Earn
the 2005 CHA Green Hotel of the Year Award

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 19, 2005) -- The Caribbean hospitality industry's growth continues to have a major impact on the environment.  Sensitizing hotels and fostering a way for them to integrate better social and environmental practices into day-to-day business decisions is a critical first step to preserve the tropical paradise. Working towards that goal each year, CHA and American Express recognize those Caribbean hotels that have positioned themselves at the cutting edge of social and environmental responsibility. "Being environmentally conscious is not only important to the community, but it also makes good business sense," says Dee Rodriguez, Vice President Establishment Services, American Express Latin America and Caribbean Division. 
 
The 2005 CHA Green Hotel of the Year Award winners obtained the highest combined scores, based on their performance in the following five criteria: Environmental Management & Stewardship, Infrastructure, Awareness, Conservation, and Health & Safety: 
 

2005 Green Hotel of the Year
Large Hotel Category
Sunscape Casa del Mar
Dominican Republic
 

Today in our world we are experiencing air pollution, waste disposal problems, social unrest and other stresses on the environment, especially in urban areas. That is one of the reasons we decided to create a "Green Team" at Sunscape Casa Del Mar La Romana, in Bayahibe, 


Sunscape Casa del Mar
Playa Bayahibe
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic, in order to ensure our visitors continue to enjoy the Caribbean beauty. In spite of that  we find environmental issues.

Here are some of the challenges we have at Sunscape Casa del Mar and how we are trying to solve them.

The hotel has an energy management and conservation plan.

ENERGY:

  • We use low wattage light bulbs in the different areas, like halls, offices, rooms.
  • We have switches in the guest rooms that cut the energy and the air conditioning when the guests are outside the rooms.
  • We have photocells in the garden and all the public areas that turn on the lights at dusk.
  • We use solar panels to heat the Jacuzzi water, and 
  • A boiler to heat the rest of the water.  The other part of the heated water comes from the chillers using the system of cogeneration of hot waters.  In that way each gallon of hot water is recycled.
  • We minimized the gas oil, energy and gas fumes because we recycle the connection of energy from Central Romana Corporation.
WATER CONSERVATION & WASTE MANAGEMENT 
  • Meters have been installed in the different areas.
  • Automatic valve with pedals in the kitchens.
  • Night water irrigation to the garden sinks.
  • We reduce the water in the toilets by placing devices in the toilet tanks, controlling the amount of water use in every flush. It allows us to save 1.5 gallons of water per flushing.
  • The gray water of the laundry, kitchen and other public areas goes to the treatment filter plant and then to the garden irrigation and fountains of the area. 
  • We offer the guests the option of reusing towels and sheets.
  • The sewage goes to another treatment filter plant and once treated goes to the subsoil as clean water. 
  • We recollect the garbage from the high ways near by. 
INFRAESTRUCTURE AND TECNOLOGY 
  • The domestic sewage of Bayahibe Village also goes directly to our treatment filter plant since the hotel invested in the construction of those aqueducts to connect them to the resort.
  • We built a garden where we grow plants that are indigenous to the area; some of these plants have traditional medicinal uses. 
  • We built a seating area and ecological Spa around the natural springs on the property for our guests to enjoy. 
  • At the ecological SPA all the indigenous trees have their botanical names and their use on a small plaque located at the bottom of them, that way our guests have some knowledge about the local culture. 
  • We recycle things such as fallen trees during hurricane season to build things that are used in our operation, for example: a bridge, tree house for the kids, tables, signs and other types of decoration. In the present we are building an ecological reef park.
HEALTH & SAFETY
  • We have emergency preparedness and safety plans for earthquakes, hurricanes, fires and catastrophes.
 We also have a purchasing policy:
  • Purchasing of low impact environmental products and equipment.
  • Selection of biodegradable. 
AWARDS
  • Green Globe 2004
  • Green Globe 2005
  • Environment Ministry 2004
We constantly train the personnel to be conscious about the need to protect our environment in all the areas mentioned above.

We all agree that we must learn how to sustain our environmental resources so they continue to provide benefits for people and other living things on our planet. That is one of the reasons we implement strong and creative ideas to ensure that future generations will have equal opportunities to the resources that the Caribbean offers.

We must do more than simply discuss our environmental problems. We must work together as a team like we are.  Our slogan at Sunscape Casa del Mar La Romana is "Together we can" (Juntos Podemos). 

About Sunscape Resorts & Spas
The fun never stops at these tropical all-inclusive hotels, which appeal to families, couples and singles. Sunscape Resorts & Spas are characterized by vibrant colors and a wide array of amenities, including live entertainment, fully equipped spas, premium brand products and exceptional service. Guests also enjoy state-of-the-art fitness centers, and numerous bars and a variety of specialty restaurants. 

These dynamic resorts   bracelet-free all-inclusives   offer extensive kids' activities, big-screen TV entertainment on the beach, and themed beach parties for adults and children alike. Sunscape Resorts & Spas is a member of Summit Hotels & Resorts, a collection of 145 unique and culturally elegant luxury hotels in 100 popular destinations worldwide. 

Vacation packages to Sunscape Resorts & Spas are available through leading tour operators in North America, Mexico and Europe. 

About AMResorts:
AMResorts® opened in 2001 and operates three brands of resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. AMResorts® is a privately owned hotel management company with headquarters outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Contact:

Sunscape Resorts & Spas
www.sunscaperesorts.com

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Also See: 3Rivers Lodge in Dominica and Sunscape Casa del Mar in the Dominican Republic Named the 2005 Caribbean Hotel Association Green Hotels of the Year / July 2005


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