Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has long been at the forefront of the region’s green movement — and its profile continues to rise.

Bucuti & Tara (our top-ranked property among Aruba hotels) was this year’s winner of the CHIEF Award for Environmental Sustainability in the Caribbean.

The honor was presented by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association at the recent Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum in Miami.

CHIEF awards of four distinct categories – Sustainability, Sales and Marketing, Operations and new this year, Social Responsibility –  were open to all 600 CHTA member hotels.

In front of several hundred attendees, winners were announced at the opening session, allowing participants the opportunity to talk with the honorees and learn from their successes throughout the weekend conference.

Bucuti & Tara was selected as the best of the best for its submission in the category of Environmental Sustainability and a finalist in Social Responsibility.

Holding the most eco-certifications throughout the region, Bucuti & Tara said it is proud to be honored by its Caribbean community, and that it will continue to work towards its goal of being the first carbon neutral Caribbean hotel.

“For 30 years, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has recognized that sustainable tourism honors the environment, our guests, staff and vendors, and the greater community of Aruba,” said founder and CEO Ewald Biemans. “Receiving the CHTA CHIEF Award for Environmental Sustainability and recognition for Social Responsibility tells us that our Caribbean community also endorses our mission.”

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor