On April 29, 2021 the Green Key National Jury of Trinidad and Tobago unanimously awarded two (2) tourism accommodation properties the internationally recognised Green Key. Bananaquit and Shepherd’s Inn, both located in Crown Point Tobago, now hold the prestigious eco-label and can rightfully boast that their operations are committed to sustainable tourism practices. These two (2) properties are currently the only Green Key certified sites in the English-Speaking Caribbean. Commenting on the achievement, Rachel Best, Manager of Bananaquit writes,
“Bananaquit has always tried to operate in a way which has the least impact on the environment. Tobago is still an untouched, unspoiled beautiful island and we want to be a part of keeping it that way. That is what our guests and visitors keep coming back for. We are excited to be approved by Green Key and are eager to work together with Green T&T in forging a way ahead for a greener, cleaner and more sustainable Tobago.”
Green Key is an international voluntary eco-label awarded to tourism accommodations and other hospitality facilities that commit to sustainable business practices. Presently, there are more than 3,200 hotels and other establishments awarded in 65 countries. Awarded establishments adhere to strict criteria which are independently verified through regular on-site audits. These criteria address thirteen (13) aspects of the property’s operation ranging from resource consumption to education and stakeholder involvement. Green T&T, the National Operator for the Green Key Programme in Trinidad and Tobago, worked closely with both properties to ensure that each operator was able to meet and, in some cases, exceed each of the criteria set forward. Tenisha Brown-Williams, National Coordinator for the Green Key programme applauded the achievement and stated,
“In spite of the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic to the local tourism sector, Bananaquit and Shepherd’s Inn have both demonstrated remarkable effort in assuring that their operations are environmentally sustainable. The achievement of the international Green Key award by these properties during this difficult period adds credence to the positioning of Tobago as an unspoilt, untouched Caribbean island that is committed to sustainable tourism development, not in word only, but in action. With the imminent restart of global travel, Tobago through the continued implementation of the Green Key programme will gain significant competitive advantage in the minds of the environmentally conscious traveller. Tobago is proving to the world that it is a small island with a big heart for sustainable tourism.”
“Green Key will play a pivotal role in the sustainability of the hotel. Mainly by protecting the environment, conserving water and energy. I am happy to be part of that development. It is an honour to be Green Key certified.“
Colin Shepherd, Owner of Shepherd’s Inn
The Green Key programme is jointly executed in Tobago by Green T&T and the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL). For TTAL, the Green Key programme is seamlessly aligned with its ‘Tobago Beyond Ordinary’ brand, and its “unspoilt, untouched, undiscovered” tagline. As an advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives, the Agency has been working on empowering local tourism stakeholders to project the core appeals of the island, and to raise the standard and quality of sustainable tourism products. To this end, TTAL continues to collaborate with local and international NGO’s such as Green T&T to direct change and development within the industry, while enhancing the sustainability of destination Tobago.
“With two accommodation establishments attaining Green Key accreditation, it signals incipient signs of a synergy between the private sector and the policy intent to position Tobago as an authentic, sustainable tourism destination post COVID-19. One of the most important facets of this programme is that it raises awareness and creates behavioural changes in guests, staff, and suppliers of individual tourism establishments which has a ripple effect throughout the tourism sector. We endorse this initiative and want to encourage all accommodation providers on the island to consider engaging in this programme, not only for its competitive advantage and positioning, but because it is the right thing to do for the environment.”
Louie Lewis, CEO of TTAL
The Green Key programme is owned and managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) located in Denmark with affiliations and endorsements by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
One of the foundational principles of FEE and the Green Key programme is the use of local stakeholders in key decision-making processes. As such, the decision to award an establishment the Green Key certification is made by a National Green Key Jury. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Jury comprises of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation- Tobago House of Assembly, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, Department of Environment- Tobago House of the Assembly, Environmental Management Authority, Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute, Tobago Hospitality & Tour Operators Association, Council of Presidents of The Environment (COPE) and Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd.
