AMERICAS: Wyndham’s Viva Resorts have achieved level one of the brand’s internal certification programme and given an update of environmental and social initiatives.
Wyndham’s Green Certification has five progressive levels, with five to seven best practices per level which address energy and water conservation, waste diversion, operational efficiency, as well as guest, team member and franchisee education and engagement. It aligns its practices with other recognised programmes, including TripAdvisor Green Leaders, Green Key, and LEED.
All eight Wyndham Viva Resorts have achieved Level 1 of the programme, which means they are all practising towel and linen reuse, interior energy-efficient lighting, recycling programmes, guest communication, property education and utility tracking.
The all inclusive resorts, located in Mexico, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas will work through all five levels.
Erika Sordo corporate director, marketing and public relations Viva Resorts by Wyndham said: “Sustainability and giving back to the community has always been part of Viva’s DNA. We strongly believe in protecting the environment and especially our oceans. This latest achievement is one more step in underscoring our decades-long commitment to green and clean energy initiatives.”
Wyndham Viva Resorts have had a broad scope of sustainable practices in place for the last twenty years and have worked with global organisations to keep the initiatives in place. The following is an update of these practices across the portfolio:
Renewable energy:
All Viva Resorts in the Dominican Republic have solar panels, which are totalling two million kilowatts of solar energy production. Additional panels are being added to some of the resorts by the end of the year.
Photovoltaic plants have been installed at Viva V Samaná by Wyndham, which generate more than 68 per cent of the property’s energy. The plant has been in place since 2015 and produces 210 KWp with a further 159 KWp under construction, ready by October 2023 (on resort building roofs). The system has produced 2,477,735.23 KW to date and reduced CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 143,494 trees.
Viva Heavens By Wyndham has had solar panels since 2019. The system has produced 794,536.76 KW to date and reduced CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 44,869 trees.
Viva Dominicus Beach By Wyndham has also had solar panels since 2019. It has more panels under construction able to produce a further 101.75 KWp. These will be ready by the end of the year. So far the system has produced 3,470,197.58 KW and reduced CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 195,445 trees.
Viva Tangerine By Wyndham has had solar panels since 2021. The system has produced 605,082.87 KW to date and reduced CO2 emission by the equivalent of 34,183 trees.
Marine environment:
Both Viva Dominicus Beach and Viva Dominicus Palace by Wyndham achieved Blue Flag Beach status in 2003. They have held the status for 20 years.
Indiana University has collaborated for more than two decades with Viva Dominicus Beach and Palace by Wyndham in the Dominican Republic, to protect the marine environment around the 1724 Guadalupe Underwater Archaeological Preserve (GUAP). The GUAP has been a noted Living Museum in the Sea since 2011 and is a popular dive site.
Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, Viva Resorts Diving and the Reef Rescue Network Institute based in Nassau, have launched Viva Coral Nursery, a coral reef protection project, located on Grand Bahama Island.
People:
Viva Resorts by Wyndham was the first hotel chain in the Dominican Republic to partner with UNICEF in 2011 with the “Huésped de Corazón” programme to improve the quality of life of children in the country.
Viva Resorts by Wyndham also fosters the Fundación Viva de Colores, in the Dominican Republic, a school for children up to 10 years old. Founded in 2014 it has helped more than 500 students.
Six Viva Resorts have achieved the third party Travelife Sustainability in Tourism certification, which means they have gone through an independent audit demonstrating actions minimising environmental impacts; improving the economic and social impacts for people in their community; respecting and protecting human rights and fair labour practices; and for safeguarding animal welfare and biodiversity.
Sordo added: “When it comes to our promise of protecting the environment and the communities we engage with, we count on the tremendous efforts of our staff, who tirelessly encourage, educate and motivate the Viva team to do their part.”
Wyndham also works with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance across the world. Look out for our Q&A with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, coming soon.
Image: Supplied by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts