Barcelo Maya Beach Resort Engages Guests with Eco-Friendly Initiatives

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From vegetable gardens and green houses to a water purification plant, the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, is committed to the ecological preservation of its vibrant landscape.  With that pledge, the AAA Four Diamond, all-inclusive resort is also dedicated to inspiring guests to embrace environmental sustainability practices by sharing its methods and operating standards.

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White sand beaches, deep green foliage, bright flowers and crystal clear waters are hallmarks of the Riviera Maya that Barcelo Maya Beach Resort is dedicated to sustaining and but growing for current and future guests to experience. 

"We are deeply committed to our reputation as an eco-friendly vacation destination and our responsibility to preserving the stunning scenery of Riviera Maya," said Claudio Zboznovits, vice president of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts sales and marketing in the U.S.

During sea turtle season, May - October, the resort protects nesting sites with a wire fence and post signage to inform guests about the sea turtles.  Once the eggs hatch, guests are encouraged to participate in the release of newborn turtles on the beach.  Guided by Maya's onsite environmental team, participants can assist the native loggerhead and green sea turtles make the journey from sand to sea.

The resort's green practices expand far beyond what guests see during their stay.  Treating water in filtration plants to be reused for irrigation, sorting trash, using energy-saving light bulbs and installing automatic light control in public areas are just a few elements of the resort's overall sustainability efforts.  The complex even has a 3,200-square-foot vegetable garden, "La Huerta del Chef," where vegetables, herbs and 10 different types of chili peppers are grown. Additionally, a reverse-osmosis plant purifies drinking water, and an on-site nursery produces 60 percent of the plants used in local reforestation.  Vacationers can also visit an on-site ecological information hut to learn about the care of mangrove swamps, reefs and, of course, sea turtles. 

Ideally located on Mexico's eastern coast between the sizzle of Cancun and the intriguing Tulum ruins, Barcelo Maya Beach Resort welcomes visitors with 24 diverse dining options, 21 lively bars and lounges, 10 gigantic swimming pools, three entertainment theaters, two kid-friendly water parks, a 20,000-square-foot spa, and world class convention center.

For more information, visit www.barcelo.com.

SOURCE Barcelo Hotels & Resorts