Eco Destination Management just recently announced that as part of its 20th year anniversary celebration the company will be going green and becoming a champion of sustainable tourism and environmental protection.

Founder Wichita Villacres, owner and CEO outlined the company’s commitment to green practices in the wake of a similar announcement she made in reference to PRA Destination Management, ECO’s sister company in South East Florida, which has already made its green commitment public in 2007.

Villacres who founded her company in Aruba in 1987, has been servicing the island’s meeting and convention market with creativity and flair which she combines with a deep commitment to the community.

In addition to her involvement with her business and her family, Villacres is always working in a number of organizations on the betterment of the tourism industry here and the island in general.

In a recent press release she revealed that as part of the company’s effort to promote green practices ECO volunteered Glenda Henricus, one of its top associates, as its representative within the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association Environmental Committee.

Glenda is also in charge of research within the company and will develop a green plan of action which will be implemented this year.

The plan, reports Villacres will transport green practices into everyday life, in the office, at home and in the community at large.

In servicing the meetings and convention markets here ECO pledges to deliver cost-saving green practices to decrease energy use and conserve natural resources.

Going green, says Villacres, needn’t be a costly option. ECO believes it is everyone’s responsibility to get involved — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, to conserve the planet for future generations. Villacres has also taken the initiative to create and provide her clients with a series of off-site daytime “green eco-activities” designed to be enjoyed around Aruba’s scenic parts. “Our commitment to our destination is to collaborate with our suppliers and hoteliers to ensure green service to our clients”, concludes Villacres
ECO, she reiterates, is leading by example with the utilization of recycled paper products, with insistence on trash recycling and the regular use of china and stainless steel utensils, which conserves water and energy. ECO’s office staff also participate in an internal car-pool program.

ECO, states Villacres is determined to educate its staffers about the environment, including global warming and other ecological threats and will encourage them in turn to educate their clients, their friends, and their family members. And ECO, she explains will continue to make annual donations to environmental causes — the AHATA Environment Committee was the recipient for 2007.

In the spirit of think globally and act locally ECO just pledged to adopt Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, and participate in seasonal cleaning and conservation activities.

Villacres’ initiative is right in line with the thinking of Ewald Biemans President of the Board of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association and Rob Smith President and CEO of that organization.

With Bucuti Beach Resort, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Costa Linda Beach Resort, and La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club leading the pack as Green Globe Certified Resorts, Aruba Beach Club, Manchebo Beach Resort, and Playa Linda Beach Resort also joined the initiative and became Green Globe certified. Most other hotels have some conservation programs already in place.

Recently, Ewald Biemans presented a directive to Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) President and CEO Rob Smith to double the number of Green Globe certified hotels on the island by 2008 and to make the entire island 100% Green Globe compliant by 2009.

ECO Destination Management is prepared, in compliance with the vision of Aruba as a 100% Green Destination.

(Pictured here Villacres with the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association members of the Environmental Committee, as Fanny O’Neil & Astrid Muller accept a donation designed to support their Ban on Plastic Bag campaign.)