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| LOCAL SUPPORTERS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE ARE TURKS & CAICOS’ GREEN STARS |
| April 09, 2008 |
Chevron, Salt Cay Resort & Golf and Wymara Turks & Caicos Display Environmental Commitment to Community
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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, BWI (April 09, 2008) – The Tourist Board of the Turks & Caicos Islands, host to the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-10) taking place April 28 – May 1, 2008, commends its local sponsors – Chevron, Salt Cay Resort & Golf and Wymara Turks & Caicos – for their dedication to maintaining the Islands’ natural environment. Beyond event sponsorship, these organizations, dubbed “Green Stars,” have implemented a variety of initiatives to protect and sustain the environment.
“We are looking forward to welcoming this year’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, and we’re proud that our local sponsors represent Turks & Caicos’ commitment to every aspect of the environment,” said Ralph Higgs, director of tourism, marketing, for the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. “As the saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’ – this has never been truer than now, when island nations must take action to care for their natural assets. From world class beaches to renowned coral reef systems, countries and communities are working together to sustain the Caribbean coast.”
The Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, which aims to achieve the right balance between the tourism industry and natural environment, will be held in Turks & Caicos at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa (by Sandals), a Green Globe Certified Hotel. Of the event’s supporters, Chevron, Salt Cay Resort & Golf and Wymara Turks & Caicos are recognized as the Islands’ “Green Stars” thanks to their continued environmental efforts.
Chevron Corporation announced recently it will act as STC-10’s main sponsor, in harmony with the company’s pledge to give back to communities where it operates. Chevron believes in conservation as a plentiful form of new energy, and makes energy efficiency a constant priority from everyday actions like providing maintenance to keep equipment running smoothly to complex projects such as building power plants. At Chevron, conservation and energy efficiency are not only powerful tools for running businesses, they also save valuable resources and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Salt Cay Resort & Golf, located on Salt Cay, identified as the first “Green Island” in Turks & Caicos, is also an STC-10 “Green Star” sponsor. During planning, construction, development and ongoing operations, Salt Cay will work closely with government entities and environmental consultants to deliver sustainable tourism benefits and environmentally conscience processes. Salt Cay Resort & Golf will offer visitors a high-end experience based on integration of the existing community and resort guests, nurturing and enhancing the native ecosystems and minimizing the impact of development, and a respect of heritage including the culture and history of the island community. Salt Cay Resort & Golf will be limited to two story ultra low density buildings, it will invest resources in renewable energy, and it will retain mangroves as an undisturbed ecotourism area – essential habitats for birds and other wildlife. After construction, there will be no vehicular traffic permitted.
Wymara Turks & Caicos, a luxury condominium and hotel development in Grace Bay, has taken great strides to protect and sustain the local environment. Wymara displayed its commitment to the environment early on by removing vegetation from the property to be maintained at a nursery during construction and then re-introduced during landscaping. Wymara’s environmentally friendly amenities include an energy management system to turn off lights and reduce air conditioning consumption in unoccupied rooms, high efficiency air conditioning units that save approximately 40 percent of energy consumption, low voltage lighting, and pools heated by solar power. In addition to acting as sponsor of the STC-10, Wymara is also a sponsor of the Bight Children’s Park where its support helps sustain the dune and natural area while providing parkland and prime beachfront for children and families to enjoy.
Higgs continued, “Our ‘Green Stars’ serve as local and international examples of how organizations of all sizes can contribute to preserving the environment with a strong commitment and careful planning.”
For more information the Sustainable Tourism Conference in Turks & Caicos, visit www.onecaribbean.org. For information on Turks & Caicos’ “Green Stars” or for press inquiries, please contact Kayla Lightbourne at (649) 946-4970.
About Turks & Caicos
The 40 islands of the Turks & Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback riding. The Islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 90-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, daily direct flights from New York and weekly flights from Dallas, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board Web site at www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800) 241-0824.
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