Showing posts with label Green Hotels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Hotels. Show all posts
Interview with an Eco-Pro, Herbert Samuel
It seems every hotel I work with, is marketing some sort of eco advancement as everyone jumps on the eco-travel bandwagon. Thus, it is more important than ever to be aware that any hotel can announce their own "greenness" and market facts about their energy saving efforts. Only a Certified or Green Globe Certified hotel is in full compliance with internationally recognized standards.
Green Globe has been certifying hotels since 1993. The Caribbean is home to 63 Green Globe Certified Hotels & Tour Companies. Read about their high standards here.
During my research, I found Mr. Herbert Samuel. Herbert has recently been accredited as a Green Globe Certifications auditor for the Caribbean region. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a background in energy planning and project management. Herbert is founder and president of Green Island Inc, a Caribbean energy sustainability consulting firm. Being always curious about "green" efforts in the Caribbean and those behind them, I had a few questions:
Laura: Your company, Green Island, Inc. is very exciting! Would you explain for my readers what it is Green Island, Inc. does in a nutshell?
Herbert: Green Island Inc is a consulting firm, specializing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy sustainability in the Caribbean. Right now we are working with several clients, mostly regional & international agencies, on projects ranging from project management (of renewable energy projects) to energy policy and planning studies. In addition to this, we’re doing Green Globe Certification audits this week in Barbados, next week in the Grenadines and in St Lucia soon after.
Laura: On a personal note, where is your favorite place to do some serious relaxing?
Herbert: Actually, at home! I have everything I need there; a view of the Grenadines from the side lawn, my music, my wife. We’re recently married and we both love to cook, so we’ve created our own little resort at home where we spend most of our spare time.
Laura: How fantastic that you live in the region! (I glance at my virtual beach with jealousy) Are you a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines?
Herbert: Yes, I was born in Kingstown, St Vincent (1960) and have lived here for most of my life. I am also a citizen of St Lucia, having lived and worked there for 10 years from 1993 – 2003.
Photo is the view from Mr. Samuel's house... swoon...!
Meet Kanopi House...
Kanopi House. Jamaica's newest eco-friendly hotel located on my favorite corner of the island, Port Antonio. Equal parts rustic & charm...
Give a bundle of local wood to Jamaica's talented local artists and this is what you will get...
Kanopi House has just enough jungle to remind you of exactly how precious every little living thing is... Follow me...
But its not all jungle... oh no, fear not. This little wonderland is only a stone's throw from the Blue Lagoon... a 250+ foot abyss of blended salt and spring water. I could stare all day at this lagoon and never tire... entertained by the constantly changing colors.
Need a closer look?
After long days of rum shop tours, river rafting, fishing, birding, or mountain biking... Kanopi House waits to welcome you... with plenty of fine cuisine crafted from fresh local ingredients, paired with the perfect vintage from the owner's cellar... and plenty of luxe lounging...
If this is starting to sound a little too civilized for what you're looking for... pause for a moment and remember... Kanopi House is comprised of tree houses... far, far away from the ordinary.
And if you dig deep into this little blog, you will come to learn that Port Antonio is one of my favorite places on earth. I've swam at midnight in the Blue Lagoon... watched from a distance a famous wife tend her mares... I've read the books and sang the songs... all about this, this perfect PARADISE. And once you visit... you too will want to find a cozy chair, put pen to paper, and draft your memories for fear there might come a day when your own experiences in Port Antonio fail to conjure up a soul warming smile...
The End.
New Green Globe Digi-Brochure
The Green Globe Organization, one I have long supported for their stringent certification process of Green Hotels, has a new digital brochure and their website has a brand new look! Check out all the Caribbean hotels that made the cut!