Essays

TRES RÍOS, A MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN MEXICO
Hacienda Tres Ríos is a 326-acre pristine nature park in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It is a luxury Caribbean resort which boasts of 276 suites and combines Mexican culture and Mayan traditions into unique experiences. Opened in November 2008, Tres Ríos is already at the forefront of sustainable tourism development, protecting the region’s natural beauty and culture. It has received three world travel awards namely: Mexico and Central America’s Leading All-inclusive Resort; the prestigious Green Globe certification in March 2009, for its recognized sustainable tourism and environmental protection practices; and the World Travel Award 2009, for best green hotel in Mexico and the Americas.
Tres Ríos is one of the few Mexican owned developments in the area. The concept of sustainable tourism was developed due to concern for the types of tourism developments that have occurred in the area over the past 30 years and the desire to see “this paradise pass on to the next generations as rich and beautiful as it is today”. The resort is distinguished as a model of sustainable tourism because it strictly adheres to the principles of sustainable development; environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability refers to the conservation and preservation of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity and natural heritage. Tres Ríos practices environmental sustainability because it has incorporated environmental management into every aspect of its development. The resort is located in mangrove forest however, the ecosystem has been preserved and enhanced, thereby demonstrating successful integration of the built and natural environments. The following are some of the significant measures implemented in order to achieve such remarkable success:

• Development activity is concentrated in areas with least environmental value according to the environmental zoning plan developed by environmental specialists.
• Buildings are constructed on stilts on a permeable rock base instead of a concrete slab foundation therefore, the underground water flows freely in the limestone rock.
• Drain pipes are laid under the roads to enable the natural flow of water in the mangrove.
• Buildings are adequately setback from the coastline and replanting of the mangrove is ongoing on the sand dunes and other parts of the property.

• The air-conditioning system uses 40% less electrical energy through the use of high energy efficiency centrifugal coolers injected with cold water from a deep well.
• Heat exchange systems capture all the heat that the air-conditioning system extracts and uses it to heat the water in the hotel and in the swimming pools.
• Air is injected into the shower heads to reduce consumption by 40%.
• Dual-flush water closets give the option of half or full flush.
• A system of continuous hot water flow in bathrooms heats up the water in three minutes.
• The architectural design of the lobby enables natural lighting in the day.
• Motion sensors turn off room lights and air-conditioners.
• Double glazed windows in the rooms reduce energy loss and this combined with energy-saving bulbs reduce consumption by 70%.
• Food wastage on buffet tables has been decreased by serving a wider variety of small portions.

• Supports the Golden Years Club, a place in Cancun City where the elderly can participate in different cultural, sporting, manual and recreational activities.
• Provides horseback riding therapy for children and young people with handicaps and ailments.
• Collaborates with Kanché Civil Association, an agency which facilitates the development of rural Mayan communities, by offering alternative tourism lifestyles activities.
• Operates and supports Kuxtal Sian Ka’an, a line of handicrafts from the Mayan communities.
• Supports Community Tours Sian Ka’an, an alliance of three local companies which supply community tourism services in communities close to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site.

• Certified member of the World Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
• Part of the Rainforest Alliance Program for Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism Management.
• Member of Sustainable Travel International (STI).

For more information please contact: foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com
T:305 767 4211 | F:305 716 9138 |