Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba welcomes 2024 in part by focusing on implementing the latest innovative sustainability technology as it maintains its focus on delivering one of the world’s most awarded vacation experiences that is as rewarding for couples as it is for the planet. Continuing its series of openly sharing its sustainability solutions, the Caribbean most eco-certified resort continues sharing how it seamlessly integrates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into resort guests’ sustainable vacations. This time, the focus is on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

How SDG 9 strengthens Tripadvisor’s No. 1 Hotel in the Caribbean, No. 18 Hotel in the World

At the tail end of the hottest year on record, nearly 200 countries represented at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai agreed for the first time to contribute to a global transition away from fossil fuels, the main cause of the climate crisis.

SDG 9 focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Some key initiatives of how Bucuti & Tara applies SDG 9 in the shared fight against dangerous global warming include:

●      Vendor commitment. Bucuti & Tara has long required that its vendors share its ethics. Most recently, the resort implemented a more formal process for accountability. Due to the absence of specific laws in Aruba, the purpose is to pioneer a fresh approach to prevent fugitive refrigerant emissions within Bucuti & Tara. As the resort closes in on becoming certified Net Zero in Scopes 1 and 2, this initiative is critical. On Jan. 12, 2024, it entered into a written agreement with local entities including Fertec NV, ProTec Mechanical Contractors Aruba NV and CHS Technical Contracting & Trading NV.

Each vendor provides procurement, maintenance and disposal services for refrigerant containing equipment such as air-conditioning systems, laundry machinery and refrigerators. The specialists formalized their plans for any fugitive or escaped refrigerant so it does not affect the environment, committed to only procuring energy efficient appliances including providing details of their Global Warming Potential (GWP), and agreed to maintaining equipment in an environmentally safe manner including that at the end of each lifecycle, it will repurpose or recycle as many components possible. The agreement requires representatives are trained and certified, and any penalties incur a monetary fine and the potential to lose the business.

●      Tire inflation awareness event. This event for the community provided for vehicle safety, reduced emissions, and fuel efficiency by highlighting optimal tire pressure's critical role, addressing under-inflated tires' impact on safety, fuel, and the environment.

●      Water heat pumps. Bucuti & Tara improved measurements on electricity and water usage, by installing 12 solar water heaters lowering gas usage up to 60%. To eradicate the remaining gas usage, it installed two heat pump water heaters replacing standard propane water heaters. This innovative solution is unique on the island to Bucuti & Tara. Compared to electrical water heaters, the heat pump water heating system is four to five times more efficient.

●      Off-grid expansion. In 2024, the resort increased its on-grid solar system capacity by 30kWp and is actively working towards taking part of the Bucuti building off the grid with another 250kWp of solar combined with a big battery pack

●      Water canteens. Bucuti & Tara banned single-use plastic and Styrofoam over two decades ago. Supplies are primarily reusable while others are biodegradable. Instead of disposable water bottles, guests receive reusable keepsake canteens, preventing over 290,000 single-use beverage bottles annually. Certified Water Sommelier Martin Riese recommends choosing Aruba's highly-rated tap water, promoting the island's natural beauty. Travelers can immerse in this experience through Bucuti & Tara’s Regenerative Tranquility Package.

●      Insulating facility coating. Over the past two years, the resort applied a MIG insulating coating to its interiors and exteriors. The climate-forward coating deflects the sun’s intense heat, particularly as the resort is near the equator, and keeps inside more of the resort’s largest energy consumer: air-conditioning. The MIG coating combined with a new, more efficient variable refrigerant flow air-handling system, results in a 15% decrease in electrical energy consumption, which also results in major savings.

These examples are part of the 400+ initiatives implemented as the resort journeys closer to Net Zero.

Guests increasingly seek sustainable solutions

As soaring temperatures shattered previous years, 2023 was just named the hottest year on record. More travelers are seeking sustainable vacation options. A report from the the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed 69% of travelers are actively seeking sustainable travel options. Travelers want to know how climate change will affect their destination choices such as wildfires or hotter weather, while also wanting to lessen their footprint on their host location.

As 2023 drew to a close, the world watched the United Nations Conferences of the Parties 28 (COP28). By special invitation from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Bucuti & Tara’s Owner/CEO Ewald Biemans appeared in person at the event to help others in hospitality turn pledges into much-needed actions to thwart climate change.

Bucuti & Tara, the Caribbean’s first and only certified carbon-neutral hotel, the UN declared the resort’s program to be “highly replicable and scalable” and encouraged hotels worldwide to follow. Bucuti & Tara’s practice of openly sharing its sustainability solutions includes this series that unveils the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) powering resort guests’ sustainable vacations.

Learn more by visiting Bucuti.com

About Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

Declared the first CarbonNeutral® hotel in the Caribbean in August 2018, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort the No. 1 Hotel in the Caribbean and No. 18 Hotel in the World according to Tripadvisor. Aruba’s premier adults-only boutique resort is led by celebrated hotelier and environmentalist, Ewald Biemans, named by Caribbean Journal as the 2017 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year. The resort is nestled on the powdery white sands of Eagle Beach, home to protected sea turtles and named one of the “Dream Beaches of the World.”

Home to the Caribbean’s Safest, Healthiest Vacation Experience and Aruba’s Health & Happiness Code seal, Bucuti has 104 well-appointed guest rooms, suites and penthouses. It offers sunbeds and shade for every guest; freshwater infinity pool; spa; WiFi; and complimentary iPad for use during stay. Award-winning healthy dining is enjoyed at oceanfront Elements, Tara Lounge and private beach dining. Reserved exclusively for guests and their friends, the open-air SandBar offers top-shelf cocktails and live music daily along with the Caribbean’s first Healthy Hour. The resort is IGLTA and TAG Approved® as an LGBTQ-friendly hotel. Bucuti & Tara, a worldwide sustainable tourism leader, holds eco-certifications of CarbonNeutral®, LEED Gold, Green Globe Platinum and Travelife Gold and was named the World’s Most Sustainable Hotel/Resort in 2016 by Green Globe. New in 2023, the resort is the newest member of Regenerative Travel.