The Caribbean’s fastest-growing hotel company, AMResorts, is continuing to grow its green practices with six resorts achieving Rainforest Alliance certification this year alone: Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Dreams Los Cabos Golf Resort & Spa, Now Larimar Punta Cana and Now Garden Punta Cana.

With these new certifications, the company has expanded its sustainability program by more than 30 percent, with a new total of 25 resorts certified in Mexico and the Caribbean, it said.

To qualify for the certification, resorts must demonstrate their commitment to conservation by minimizing their environmental footprint while also supporting local culture, workforce and the surrounding community.

The Rainforest Alliance audit is a comprehensive certification, assessing the following sustainability standards: protection of nearby ecosystems, wise use of natural resources, climate change mitigation, and benefits to the social and cultural development of surrounding communities.

As part of AMResorts’ involvement in the Rainforest Alliance program, the company has engaged its resorts in a variety of green initiatives.

That includes celebrating environment-focused holidays such as Earth Hour and Earth Day, coordinating beach clean-ups, sponsoring local schools and employing local vendors, limiting excess water by recycling on-property, and protecting local wildlife with activities like the turtle releases at Now Jade Riviera Cancun and Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun.

“As travel industry leaders, AMResorts places a high priority on maintaining sustainable practices across all of our resorts,” said Gonzalo del Peón, President of AMResorts. “We are committed to providing our guests with an unforgettable experience while also minimizing our environmental impact within the resort destinations.”