Prevue May-June 2017 - 14

goodbusiness

Puntacana Resort & Club
Forward-thinking initiatives set green standards throughout the Dominican Republic

Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

F

orty years ago, today's concept of
sustainable development did not
yet exist, but this didn't stop the
Puntacana Resort & Club from building
a reserve that is considered a model for
sustainability by today's standards. The
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park spans over
1,500 acres, offering a place for attendees
to bask and recharge in wild places, and
for researchers to conserve native and
endangered species. It's not uncommon for
the pitter-patter of wildlife to be intermixed
with the sounds of lagoon swimmers and
the quiet buzz of guided Segway and 4X4
buggy tours, cyclists and hikers as they
meander along a network of interactive
trails. Although occupying just a sliver of the
resort's 26-mile turf, Indigenous Eyes offers
insight into how one resort can create big
(and profitable) sustainable change.
The reserve is maintained by the nonprofit Puntacana Ecological Foundation,
which works with the Partnership of
Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas

A Circular Approach
to Hospitality
and researchers from Harvard, Virginia
Tech, the University of Miami and others
to develop sustainable development and
tourism initiatives. "Zero Waste" is the most
ambitious project to date among a long list of
accomplishments-from coastal restoration
and sustainable fisheries to conservation of
endangered species. The ongoing program
repurposes around 50 percent of all waste
generated by the resort and its private
airport. Consequently, it is an economic
driver for local communities and hotels. The
ultimate goal is to reach zero waste.
"The Puntacana Ecological Foundation
has become one of the largest recycling
programs by any company in the Dominican
Republic," explained Jake Kheel, VP of
environment for Grupo Puntacana and
executive director of the foundation, in a
recent article for Harvard University. "With
the volume of recyclables we generate we
helped to create a market for them that
has encouraged dozens of hotels to begin
recycling. It has also led to the creation of

"The Puntacana Ecological Foundation has become
one of the largest recycling programs by any
company in the Dominican Republic."
14 | prevuemeetings.com

several companies dedicated to recycling
and integrated waste management."
Zero Waste is especially important
to areas of the world, like the Dominican
Republic, that rely on abounding natural
capital to lure MICE groups. The foundation
maintains a recycling center for residents
and the resort's three hotels-The Westin
Puntacana Resort & Club, Tortuga
Bay Hotel and Four Points by Sheridan
Puntacana Village. Sustainable agricultural
practices are also in full swing with the
recycling of organic waste, and honey,
herbs and veggies are sold to restaurants,
locals and hotels.

Meetings (and tourism overall) create a lot
of garbage, yet require seamless execution.
This intensifies the need for well-rounded
strategies that merge corporate goals with
the finite resources that nature provides.
Changing the way suppliers and buyers
view waste is one piece of the puzzle.
Kheel's thoughts on the subject speak
to a simple change that could kick-start
the process. "We should no longer refer
to materials as 'garbage' but rather as
materials to encourage a different mindset
for considering these materials as
potentially useful."
In the end, Zero Waste actually made
the resort more internationally competitive
while also reducing resort costs-both
economic and social-by minimizing the
purchase of unused materials, cutting
down fees associated with waste haul
and reducing the risk of food and water
contamination. Corporate groups can also
promote sustainability by rolling up their
sleeves for a day of CSR at the Puntacana
Foundation, or by making a little room
for school and medical supplies in their
luggage. All of the resort's hotels work with
Pack for a Purpose.-Johnalee Johnston
puntacana.com


http://www.puntacana.com http://www.prevuemeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue May-June 2017

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