| | |  Editorials | Environmental | September 2009 
The Mayan Riviera is Committed to Conserving Nature in Mexico
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 |  | MARTI bases its norms and best practices on such international environmental certification programs as Green Globe and ISO 14000.
- Adriana Del Angel |  | | |
As a demonstration of its commitment to environmental conservation, Mexico’s Riviera Maya has launched the Mesoamerican Tourism Reef Initiative (MARTI) to help protect the beautiful and unique flora and fauna in the area surrounding the Northern Hemisphere’s largest coral reef.
The initiative unites tourism service providers such as hotels, tourism developers, tour companies and cruise lines with civil and governmental organizations to develop and implement initiatives in favor of the environment in general and the area surrounding the Mesoamerican Reef in particular.
Created by the Conservation International Coral Reef Alliance and the local environmental organization Amigos de Sian Ka’an in conjunction with the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, the initiative aims to promote environmental best practices, further the responsible use of natural resources and foster a culture of environmental sustainability among business owners, hotel operators and even guests. The alliance is the only one of its kind in the area surrounding the Mesoamerican Reef.
Members of the alliance must complete several actions, including sign a letter of commitment, allow MARTI authorities to assess their level of environmental sustainability (including recycling programs, solid waste and wastewater management, energy and water-saving initiatives, etc.) and suggest ways to improve them, create a “green team” to make sure recommended environmental initiatives are implemented, draft an environmental action plan and policy handbook, and train personnel in environmental awareness.
While not a formal certification program, MARTI bases its norms and best practices on such international environmental certification programs as Green Globe and ISO 14000, said Adriana Del Angel of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, who heads up the initiative’s hotel sustainability project.
Del Angel said 20 hotels have already committed to MARTI’s best practices, 35 additional hotels are participating in the initiative and she expects 100 hotels to form part of the alliance in the short term.
“The Riviera Maya stands out among tourism destinations for its wide array of marvelous landscapes that captivate visitors: splendid beaches with white sand and clear waters, well-preserved jungles, and ecoparks that promote the protection of flora and fauna as well as provide entertainment,” said Del Angel. “The alliance represents yet another example of the Riviera Maya’s commitment not only to tourism development and growth, but also to creating cultural and environmental awareness to enable the destination to be enjoyed by generations to come.” |
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