Half Moon takes care of all the little ones

Half Moon is set on 400 acres of manicured grounds with two miles of beachfront and views of the Caribbean Sea. Guests can enjoy the extensive facilities at the property including the largest spa oasis in Jamaica, an 18-hole championship golf course, private equestrian center and the Sugar Mill restaurant.

Green Globe recently recertified Half Moon, awarding it an outstanding compliance score of 88%.

Sandro Fabris, General Manager at the resort said, “As a company that is committed to sustainable tourism, we are happy to have successfully completed the re-certification program with Green Globe. The environment is the core of our business and our continual efforts are a small price to pay to ensure that we look after and preserve it. This achievement will also serve as a reward to our hardworking staff members who make certain that we reuse, recycle and conserve in every possible way that we can.”

Half Moon management and team have focused on environmental and community initiatives over the past year. Since 2015, as part of its green practices the resort has undertaken a turtle-watching program that allows critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles a safe journey from beaches to the sea. The program is conducted for approximately seven months of the year and involves creating the best environment for the turtles to safely lay their eggs, the identification and monitoring of nests and finally the careful release of hatchlings to the sea. Information collected is shared with the local environmental agency to help with the tracking of the species.

During last year’s turtle nesting season (June 2016 – April 2017), Half Moon released 4600 hatchlings from 46 known nests. It was certainly an unforgettable experience for guests to witness as families across the resort happily gathered to cheer the turtles on their maiden voyage to sea. During the nesting season, Half Moon staff and guests are alerted to possible nesting sites and reminded of best practices regarding turtle safety.

In the wider community, the SOS Children’s Village has been a part of Half Moon’s philanthropic activities since 1972. The NGO provides a home for orphaned and abandoned children. Recently, Half Moon fully refurbished accommodation for the children and their caregivers. The property also happily continues the tradition of providing monthly financial assistance to maintain the Half Moon House along with other administrative costs. Mentorship programs as well as the opportunity for outstanding children to enjoy a day of fun at the resort are some of the other monthly activities provided. Half Moon donates annual Christmas treats and regularly organizes special events in aid of children on the island.

To minimize negative environmental impacts, the resort recycles used cooking oil through RYCo Jamaica Ltd that is used locally as a raw material to manufacture animal feed. Almost 5 tons of paper, cardboard and plastic have also been collected for recycling since the start of the year. Furthermore, kitchen waste is recycled by Carib Share Bio-Gas. The company operates anaerobic digesters to convert biodegradable waste into biogas used for the generation of electricity.

About Green Globe Certification

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries.  Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Bradley Cox, Director Communications, Green Globe Certification, 5959 W. Century Blvd., Suite 610, Los Angeles, California 90045 U.S.A., Tel +1-310-337-3000, Fax +1-310-626-9982, skype bradleygcox, email: [email protected]