Those of you looking to go to South America for a cruise and venture a week before or after your cruise, think about going to Quito Ecuador. There are some exciting hotels to visit and to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere that will allow you to melt your stress away. Combining a
Galápagos Island Cruise with time at The Finch Bay Eco Hotel is a great way to have a holiday. The Finch Bay recently was awarded the World Travel Award and for good reason . . .
September 20, 2012 (Quito, Ecuador) – Creating a “green hotel” on the isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is nothing if not a challenge for everyone involved. It’s about taking an integral approach to crafting an establishment that is sustainable for the future while generating secure jobs and a healthy working environment for the present. With this concept in mind, the Finch Bay Eco Hotel has led the way in sustainable practices in Puerto Ayora, the main town on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos. And now the hotel has gotten its due: Recognition as “South America’s Leading Green Hotel 2012” from the prestigious World Travel Awards – a.k.a., “The Oscars of the travel industry.”
“It has been a huge effort, drawing on our company’s strengths in logistics, training, service ethos and expedition experience. The team effort has always given us great satisfaction and today it has been recognized,” said Xavier Burbano de Lara, General Manager, upon receiving the honor at the World Travel Awards.
“All the staff is honored to have won this award. It’s a reflection of the dedication and love which our hotel team shows every day and of our commitment to the people and unique ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands.”
The Finch Bay has always placed the environment and sustainability at the very heart of its operations, which, in the context of its location, is not just best practice, but a duty. Indeed, over the years the hotel has made an ever-firmer commitment to the islands by including a number of measures to lessen its environmental footprint and increase its positive contributions. Initiatives include:
- Making the Finch Bay the only hotel in the archipelago with a biological sewage treatment plant
- Introducing energy-saving measures such as solar panels, low-energy light bulbs, movement sensors, better room insulation and more efficient electrical appliances
- Classifying the hotel’s solid waste and sending all recycling to the port’s recycling center, which is financed in part by the Fundación Galápagos
- Using organic waste for composting to enrich the hotel’s organic vegetable, fruit and herb garden. Result? Less food brought in, reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint.
“Our guests are conscious of their impact here in the islands,” continued the General Manager, noting that guests are happy to take simple steps to reduce the environmental impact of the Finch Bay, such as using water bottles provided by the hotel, eschewing disposable plates, using towels for more than one day, turning off lights, and generally being part of the pervading green spirit. “That spirit also extends to staff, who are trained in sustainable issues, keep the beach and our surroundings clean, and apply best practices every day. They then take these practices home with them, creating a virtuous circle for the community.”
The Finch Bay recently embarked on a redesign of its garden spaces, with the planting of over 500 button mangroves to create an environment of peace and shade for people and wildlife alike. This effort helps to maintain the area’s ecosystem while also restoring and safeguarding nearby water sources.
The Finch Bay is located in a privileged spot by a small sandy cove in Puerto Ayora. With 21 Garden View Rooms and 6 Ocean View Suites, swimming pool, restaurant, day tours to visitor sites on two yachts, activities on Santa Cruz, and all-inclusive packages, guests experience these remarkable islands at their own pace, mixing exploration with relaxation. It’s the Galápagos, the Finch Bay way.
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Contact:Andrea Schnoor Communications/ASC
122 West 27th Street
10th floor
New York, NY 10001
(310) 878-4812 ph.(815) 377-3573 fax
aschnoor@andreaschnoor.com
http://www.andreaschnoor.com
