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Seven Barcelo Resorts in Mexico attain Green Globe Certification
Seven of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts' all-inclusive properties in Mexico have achieved the distinguished Certified Gold or Silver status from Green Globe, the prestigious benchmarking program for sustainability in travel and tourism. This internationally recognized program, which is administered by the worldwide advisory group EC3 Global, certifies that these resorts are committed to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards. Moreover, the hotelier's ability to obtain such an achievement at seven distinct hotels demonstrates a company-wide dedication to preserving these leading destinations for generations of travelers to come.

Awarded Barcelo properties include:
- Barcelo Mayan Beach Resort, Riviera Maya - Gold recipient
- Barcelo Huatulco Resort, Huatulco Beach - Gold recipient
- Barcelo Costa Cancun Resort, Cancun - Silver recipient
- Barcelo Tucancun Beach Resort, Cancun - Silver recipient
- Barcelo Ixtapa Beach Resort, Ixtapa Beach - Silver recipient
- Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya Resort, Puerto Vallarta - Silver recipient
- Barcelo Kamina Palace Resort, Manzanillo - Silver recipient

Prior to achieving these certifications, the resorts successfully demonstrated high-level benchmarks against key environmental indicators, including energy and water consumption, total waste production and community commitment. To then achieve the Certified Gold or Silver status, these Barcelo hotels met a series of additional requirements, including the implementation of a socially and environmentally sustainable approach and a detailed assessment by an EC3 Global-approved, independent, third party Green Globe auditor. The successful completion of the certification process demonstrates that these resorts maintain and practice a strong commitment to the principles of both environmental and social sustainability.

"During a time when the phrase 'going green' is tossed somewhat haphazardly, it is important for Barcelo to reach for higher and more specific benchmarks, like that of Green Globe," said Claudio Zboznovits, vice president of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts sales and marketing in the U.S. and Canada. "Our guests appreciate our efforts to provide eco-friendly features, and these certifications help to further demonstrate our company-wide commitment."

As a global company, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts has initiated environment efforts in the following six categories of activity: waste management, including recycling and participation in Hewlett Packard’s Planet Partners program; power-saving and biodegradable products, including the implementation of temperature control computing systems; sustainable design and construction, including the incorporation of ecological materials, saving systems and renewable energies; training to obtain a greater ecological awareness among employees and staff; shared information, including inviting guests to reuse towels and sheets; and restoration of the native ecosystem, including the restoration of mangrove swamps and beaches, the protection of turtles and their offspring and the protection of animal species that arrive injured to resort properties. The company has also taken on the recommendations made in the Kyoto Protocol, an international environmental treaty of which Barcelo is one of the signatory companies. Theodore Koumelis - Thursday, September 10, 2009