Discover Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Belize
(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, October 08, 2014 ) HOPKINS, Belize – Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, an award-winning boutique eco-resort in Belize, recently earned a Bronze Certification from Sustainable Travel International’s Sustainable Tourism Education Program (STEP), illustrating full compliance with a set of baseline best practices aligned with global sustainable tourism criteria. Hamanasi is the first hotel in Belize to earn this esteemed certification.
The revolutionary STEP Eco-Certification Standard was one of the first standards to be formally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The standard includes universally accepted best practices for tourism business management and dozens of sector-specific practices. Each practice includes multiple levels of involvement, ranging from low-cost baseline criteria to resource-investment industry leader criteria.
STEP measures all aspects of sustainability for tourism businesses and serves as a practical tool for assessment, benchmarking and education. Companies enrolled in the STEP program are required to assess the impact of their business practices and continue to thoughtfully integrate sustainable practices into future operations.
“Hamanasi is illustrating leadership in sustainable tourism by committing to the certification process,” said Robert Chappell, Senior Director of Standards & Monitoring at Sustainable Tourism International. “It is a rigorous undertaking and by completing this process, it shows they’re committed to having their work generate positive impact on the people and places where they’re located.”
The bronze level is the first step in the certification process, laying the foundation for future sustainability initiatives. One of the primary focuses of the program is to demonstrate continuous improvement over time. These improvements can have a profound effect on habitat preservation, cultural heritage protection and area economic systems.
“Reducing our carbon footprint, educating others and engaging in community projects are energizing, on-going commitments. These include expanding our organic garden, enhancing our Green Team’s outreach initiatives and transitioning to more eco-friendly infrastructure. We see being a sustainable resort as a continuous journey with and for the benefit of our employees, guests and community,” said Dana Krauskopf, co-founder and owner of Hamanasi.
Within 12 months of receiving the bronze level certification, businesses are encouraged to setup an on-site assessment of best practices from an independent, third party auditor. Common Accommodations best practices involve facility management, safety, employee training, guest rooms, public areas, and kitchen operations.
About Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort: Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort is nestled between sandy beaches and lush rainforest on Belize’s central coast. The boutique resort embodies casual elegance with displays of Belizean hardwood furniture, locally crafted art, fresh Caribbean fusion cuisine, and a warm, welcoming staff. Customer service is a high priority at Hamanasi; employees undergo an extensive training program and share a true sense of pride and ownership in the resort.
About Sustainable Travel International: Sustainable Travel International is the world’s leading organization that is harnessing the power of travel and tourism as a force for good. We help communities, businesses and governments build a better future for themselves and their environments through travel and tourism. Our vision has always been to harness the power of travel and tourism as a force for good. Since our creation, we have dedicated ourselves to understanding the complexities of travel and tourism around the world and spent more than 10 years developing tools and partnerships that deliver on such ambitious goals. Today, in response to urgent threats facing our planet, we are convening leading travel corporations and tourism destinations to scale-up our solutions in order to improve the lives of at least 10 million people over the next decade. Collectively, we are redefining global travel and tourism as a force for good.
