Tropikist Becomes First Hotel To Receive Eco-Stewardship Award
Tropikist Hotel and Beach Resort Ltd has become the first hotel to be granted an eco-stewardship award from the Tobago Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme.
The award is part of an effort to encourage more hotels to be more environmentally focused in their operations.
The hotel has been making strides in developing its green spaces and growing some of the food that is served to its guests. It is being done in partnership with the Tobago Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme and the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL).
For this, they became the first hotel to be granted an Eco-Stewardship Award.
Product Development Officer at the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL), Wanda McEthnie, noted, « Participating establishments would be recognised for creating dedicated farm-to-fork or agroforestry spaces on their properties using produce grown to enhance guest experiences through authentic local cuisine and specialty dishes. »
According to Chairman of the Tobago Reforestation and Watershed Rehabilitation Programme, Sean McCoon, the award and partnership allow for the intentional development of sustainable green spaces to complement the accommodation sector.
« Our natural environment is what really draws people to our island, and without that we would have nothing to sell, nothing to market, nothing to invite people to, so I am saying that Tropikist Beach Hotel and Resort Ltd is actually pioneering in this regard. »
To mark the occasion, several poui and breadfruit trees were planted around the property.
These will be maintained by the Reforestation Programme and students of Signal Hill Secondary’s Environmental Club.
The ceremony also doubled as a mental health awareness initiative, according to Tropikist’s Duty Manager Adrian Thomas.
« We wanted to actually be the leaders in something that benefits our staff. We wanted to do something that is different while also benefitting the environment as well. »
He noted that working within the industry is not easy.
« Our job is extremely demanding, and by educating our members of staff, and by extension ourselves, we can now equip ourselves by saying, ‘Hey, you know what, we need a second, we can actually ask someone for help,’ and again, having those tools to cope and deal with the demanding job. »
Secretary of Health and Wellness, Dr Faith Brebnor, endorsed the initiative and provided staff with tips on how to ask for help if needed.
« A healthy and a happy workforce will allow them to treat your guests better, and when your guests are better, it means they are happy. It means they come back. It means that they tell their friends and family that they had a good time here, and they also come, and it means that your business flourishes. »
