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Socially Responsible Tourism Award
15th December, 2003
By Christine Skeete
On December 13, 2003,
the Community
Tourism Foundation
(CTF)
presented a Medford
Mahogany original award to Casuarina Beach Club, winner of the
new special prize, Socially Responsible Tourism Company of the
Year, at the 2003 Minister of Tourism Awards.
In this context, Corporate
Social Responsibility was defined as a policy at the
managerial level for the coordination of sustained activities
or investments that aid the social development of Barbadians
in the areas of culture, sports, education or poverty
alleviation.
Casuarina Beach Club has created
many innovative ways of incorporating environmental awareness
in nearly every aspect of their operations. This Green Globe
21 certified hotel has instituted a policy of sourcing
products that are reusable or recyclable, or non-toxic or
biodegradable, that use minimal packaging, or that are
available in bulk purchases. Biodegradable garbage bags are
used and waste separation has been implemented throughout the
property for recycling purposes. The hotel has introduced a
concentrated all-purpose cleaner and foot pedal operated taps
in the kitchen.
This leading green hotel has
extended environmental support to others through regular
training programmes with schools and other institutions and
hotels around the Caribbean led by Environmental Manager Mrs.
Loreto Duffy-Mayers.
Other forms of community
outreach include beach clean-ups and a craft market which is
held at the hotel once every month. The latter provides an
opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs to showcase their
products and services to guests.
The hotel was the first and
possibly still is the only property to hire a physically
challenged bartender. A physically challenged flower arranger
has been hired by the hotel to prepare the centrepieces for
each of its 166 rooms. She is reported to thoroughly enjoy
interacting with the guests.
The CTF looks forward to
awarding another deserving tourism business in 2004 for its
leading example in the area of social responsibility. It is
hoped that the annual awardees will serve as models for other
businesses to implement policies that benefit the community.
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