Divi Resorts Continues to Green Up Properties Across the Caribbean

Chapel Hill, NC (April 22, 2010) - Divi Resorts continues to be a good steward of the environment, implementing an impressive number of "green" programs at all of its properties across the Caribbean. Divi's property in Barbados, Divi Southwinds, served as the catalyst and leader for the earth-friendly practices in 2008 after it was certified as a Green Hotel -- the first property in Barbados to receive the designation. Last year, the resort was a semifinalist for the prestigious Ministry of Tourism Green Hotel Award and received the "Honorary Award" from the Travel Foundation's "Switch Off Save Big" challenge.

"Our guests are increasingly attuned to the health of the planet and basing their hotel selection on environmental standards," commented E.J. Schanfarber, CEO of Divi Hotels Marketing, Inc. "It is imperative for hotels to recognize their responsibility to the environment, and our efforts evidence Divi's corporate belief in sustainable tourism. Our success at Southwinds has been a key building block for the lessons and initiatives we are applying to the rest of the properties."

Among the earth-friendly practices at Divi Southwinds are the following:
• An on-staff "Green Team" led by the hotel's Environmental Officer to help guests understand the property's "green" initiatives and engage their participation
• Elimination of polystyrene foam
• Adoption of 72-hour biodegradable materials
• Increase in recycling of bottles, paper, ink cartridges and boxes
• Improved system of separating recyclables
• Installation of low flow toilets and showerheads
• Garden waste used as compost rather than carted to a landfill
• Reduced the level of harmful chemicals released into the ocean by switching to ionizers and cutting the use of chlorine in their pools by 50 percent
• Replaced lights with energy saving bulbs

Electricity consumption at Divi Southwinds was reduced by 26,509 kilowatt hours (KWH) in 2009 as compared to 2008. In the same year, water consumption decreased by 19,410 cubic meters.

Divi Resorts applied the successes at Divi Southwinds to the entire roster of Divi properties throughout the Caribbean. Energy saving bulbs are used throughout the resorts as well as environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Divi staff members also request guests reuse towels and sheets to decrease the energy used in machine washing as well as water waste. In addition, there are recycling programs in place and Divi resorts no longer use disposable cups at open-air bars and restaurants, only reusable plastic cups. At its resorts in Aruba, there are now easy-to-spot "Eco-Cup" return stands in strategic locations throughout the properties and the resort staff takes part in the Island's clean-up efforts on the beach and well as at neighborhood recreational centers and other public community locations.

"All of the Divi properties across the Caribbean are dedicated to protecting valuable natural resources of the islands, and we are taking steps to become greener everyday," said Schanfarber. "Our goal is to continue to implement additional earth-friendly practices, preserve the beauty of the Caribbean and have more of our properties become Green Certified Hotels."