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SHTA’s DAD supports EPIC’s Environmental Programs.

shtadonationgreenkey31072014PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the largest business representative on the island, recently donated $2,000 from its Dollar-A-Day fund (DAD) to Environmental Protection in the Caribbean - Sint Maarten (EPIC) to assist with the management of the Blue Flag and in particular the Green Key eco-labels which the Foundation operates locally. The beach at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and the yacht club at Isle de Sol obtained the Blue Flag status almost three years ago and the beach at Oyster Bay Beach Resort (Dawn Beach West) is in the process of working towards obtaining this coveted certification.

In 2012, EPIC and the SHTA locally launched the Green Key program, an international voluntary eco-label for tourism facilities which promotes sustainable tourism by encouraging best environmental management practices. The program's specific aims are to increase sustainability in operations and to run environmentally sound and responsible businesses.

Green Key is the fastest growing eco-label for tourism facilities and has been implemented by countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean. The program is now present in some 44 Countries and boasts in excess of 2300 awarded sites. Internationally, Green Key establishments report many benefits such as savings on water and energy usage, waste reduction, a noticeably better environment for guests and staff, an improved environmental image, marketing advantages, and increased activity and sales.

The Green Key program is operated as a certification program and St. Maarten currently has one Green Key-Pilot location. The SHTA funds will go towards covering the annual costs associated with membership of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) who owns these eco-labels. EPIC's intern, Ms. Chantee Mahulette, received the check from SHTA's Vice President Lorraine Talmi, and indicated EPIC's appreciation of the SHTA's continued support and the foundation's gratitude for the generous and much needed financial contribution.

Since its inception in January of 2000, DAD has supported programs in the following areas: international tradeshow participation for the benefit of the St. Maarten's hospitality industry (e.g. yachting, diving & travel trade), marketing projects such as SMART (St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow), co-op advertising and other promotional campaigns, product development, environmental programs such as Green Flag and Blue Key, and the production of promotions collateral. All these activities are in direct support of SHTA members who contribute to the "Dollar-a-Day" fund. To participate, Hotel and Timeshare members commit themselves to collecting voluntary contributions of $1 per room night from their guests. All other members may participate by making a yearly contribution of $365 to the fund.

The SHTA is dedicated to bringing quality to all aspects of life on St. Maarten by promoting sustainable economic development for its members in cooperation with the social partners and the creation of a fair marketplace. For more information please contact our offices at 542-0108 or visit our website at www.shta.com.

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