The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) will actively support the effort of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) to revive the Green Key and Blue Flag eco-label programs. This was jointly announced by the two NGOs, calling on hotels, marinas and tourism-focused companies to take part in the two sustainability programs.
The SHTA’s support will include ongoing member communications on how to obtain the two eco-label certifications and a program platform at the St. Martin / St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART). The tradeshow platform serves to inform all hotels and tourism players present to the environmental, marketing, and financial benefits of sustainable operations. The platform at SMART is made possible by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB), another major supporter during the initial launch of the Green Key and Blue Flag eco-labels.
EPIC Program Manager Delroy de Lain stated, “We are grateful for the support of both the public and private tourism entities. It shows dedication to sustainable tourism development from precisely where it is necessary. We look forward to cooperating once again with the SHTA and STB, and their partners, to ensure a successful implementation of the program”.
Green Key and Blue Flag are both world renowned eco-label programs run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), located in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Green Key certificate is the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. This prestigious certificate represents a commitment by businesses that their premises adhere to the strict criteria set by the FEE. A Green Key assures guests that, by choosing to stay with a Green Key establishment, they are helping make a difference for the environment. The high environmental standards expected of these establishments are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits. Green Key is designed for hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centers, restaurants and attractions.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag program is the aim of connecting the public with their surroundings and encouraging them to learn more about their environment. As such, environmental education activities must be offered and promoted in addition to a permanent display of information relevant to the site in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental phenomena. There are currently 5,038 Blue Flag sites certified in 51 countries.
As of 2003, EPIC and SHTA have cooperated on various efforts to make tourism more sustainable, amongst which the promotion and implementation of the two esteemed eco-labels. As the bar to get the labels granted is high, only five sites succeeded in obtaining the label prior to its hiatus. Divi Little Bay was the first to obtain the Blue Flag status for its beach, and Oyster Bay Beach Resort followed thereafter, while Yacht Club Isle de Sol was the first marina to get certified locally. Princess Heights succeeded in being the first to obtain the Green Key award, and Holland House obtained it for the first time in 2017. Both EPIC and the SHTA are excited to revive this partnership and together create a more sustainable future for tourism on the island.
EPIC Sint Maarten is an independent non-profit active since 2001 with the mission of protecting the environment through research, restoration, education, and advocacy.
SHTA is the largest private business representative on the island. It considers a healthy and beautiful island as one of the three pillars of its main objective of increasing quality of life for all St. Maarten residents (shta.com/vision-2025).
For more information about participating in the international Green Key or Blue Flag labels, please contact Program Manager Delroy de Lain at: ddelain@epicislands.org / +1 721 587 1318. For more information about the SMART trade show this April 8-11 visit: shta.com/SMART.
