What constitutes an Eco-Friendly Resort?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

What constitutes an Eco-Friendly Resort?

What is an Eco Resort?

At Platinum International Real Estate and Investments we have been approached many times about what constitutes and Eco-resort and have finally come up with your basic answer.
An eco-resort protects the environment, benefits local communities, and helps guests learn about the local surroundings while they explore them. Eco-resorts are not just for leisure but offer the tourist a complete eco-experience. A true Eco-resort not only offers eco-friendly sightseeing , but the accommodation, transport and cooking methods are also eco-friendly. Using solar heating, bio-toilets, and using transport systems more efficiently are all eco-friendly examples put to use to reduce the effect of people on the environment and in essence reducing our carbon footprints.

What is the standard criteria for the Certification of an Eco-Resort?

• Design and Construction
• Water conservation
• Liquid waste management
• Solid waste management
• Energy production and conservation
• Natural areas and conservation
• Lawn and gardens
• Protection of flora and fauna
• Contamination of air, water and soil
• Environmental education
• Quality standards

Since only about 1% of the eco-resorts are actually certified, it is sometimes better to check with the resorts directly.

Here is a list of some questions to ask and keep in mind.

What does the resort do to protect and conserve the local flora and fauna?

How does it involve local communities?

What interpretive facilities (cultural or ecological) are available to guests?

Other questions that are at the micro-level for the observant and discerning traveller are:

What are the ways in which the resort contributes to the local community? Are there employment opportunities, education programmes for the people employed and the guests? Does the eco-resort contribute to the area's economy by buying local products?

What does the property do to minimize waste? How do you manage garbage, waste and recyclables?

Are the towels and bed linen changed every day for a guest automatically or is it done only if there is a guest request?

How are the toiletries packaged? And is the packaging recycled?

How is grey water and sewage treated ?

Are any alternative energy resources like solar or wind used?

Is there air-conditioning or air cooling?

Do you have any other water conservation measures? And if so, what are they?

Did you use environmentally friendly building materials and indigenous plants in the construction and landscaping of the resort?

Some of Belize's Eco-Friendly Resorts are : Blackadore Caye, Black Rock, Blancaneaux Lodge, Casa Del Caballo, Chaa Creek, Chan Chich Lodge, Cotton Tree Lodge, El Pescador, Hamanasi, Jaguar Paw, Journey's End, Kaana and Lamanai. This list is certainly not complete being that there are many others that we have not mentioned.

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Facts to know about BELIZE

Belize

Have you ever wondered what paradise looks like? Do you like to look at breathtaking views? Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk in the past? Do you want to experience Caribbean culture and cuisines at its very best? Are you looking for adventure? Are you looking for your getaway location? You can find all this and more in Belize with the help from Platinum International Real Estate and Investments.

Belize is a small, unspoiled country located in Central America and is fast becoming a world-renowned destination for tourists and international investors alike. It is the only English speaking Central American country due to the historical influences of the British Buccaneers and Colonialists that settled in the country for over a century. It is home to a multi-cultural society made up of Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Arabs, Garifuna, Maya, and Mennonites just to name a few. It is a country rich in Culture and rooted in beliefs of working together for a strong economy. The Belizean people are very friendly and a simple hello is given everywhere you go no matter who you are or what you do.

People that visit Belize keep coming back to immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity and the well preserved forests and barrier reef that we call paradise. People enjoy soaking in the cool azure Caribbean waters; taking day trips to the fishing, diving or snorkeling preservation sites or taking a hike in the lush protected rain forests that keep the country so serene. The preservation of such beautiful places in Belize is essential for generations to enjoy it even after we move on and leave our legacy behind.
Platinum International Real Estate and Investments, vows to stand firm, work with everyone to bring Belize to a recognizable International Real Estate Level unsurpassed by most in the industry. We look forward to bringing you to a place you can call Home in Belize.

Life in Belize

For many years Belize has gone under the shadows of many other Central American countries. Belize has it unique features that famous celebrities have come to appreciate. You need to understand the geography, history, the people, the economy and the atmosphere to truly appreciate this inspiring place called Belize.

Geography

Belize is positioned in both the northern and western hemisphere. Located in North America on the northern edge of the Central America isthmus 16º 13' N, 88º 48' W - a somewhat narrow strip of land that connects North and South America - the country is bordered by Guatemala, Mexico, the Gulf of Honduras and the Caribbean Sea. Belize is the 23rd country on the list according to world atlas for the lowest density of people to land per square mile. With 240 miles of coastline, 8,805 square miles of land and 62 square miles of water rights it’s easy to see why people are flocking to Belize to call it home.

Belize's diverse landscapes include hundreds of islands, subtropical rainforests, fertile savannas and mountains. It is internationally recognized as a leader in environmental preservation and conservation.

Belize is divided into four main geographic regions, including the relatively low Maya Mountains of the south that dominate all but the narrow coastal plain; the northern lowlands and its many rivers and streams; the flat and swampy coastal plain, and the almost countless cayes, islands and lagoons that fringe its Caribbean coastline. More than 50% of Belize is covered by tropical rain forest that's dissected by a network of rivers, mostly small in length. The largest and most significant river is the navigable Belize River that stretches from the Guatemala border all the way to the Caribbean Sea. Second only in size to the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coastline of Australia, a 175 mile long barrier reef fronts the Belize coastline, intermixed with literally hundreds of islands and cayes. This great site has been recognized as a World Heritage Site, the other site is located 58 miles direct east of Belize City in the Carribean Sea, the Blue Hole; more than 1,000 feet across and some 400 feet deep, it's the opening to a former Ice Age cave, and is today one of the world's most popular dive sites. Belize is divided into six districts; including Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo.

History

Archaeological evidence in Belize indicates that the famed Maya culture began to emerge in this lowland area of the Yucatan Peninsula around 1000 BC. That Maya civilization flourished here for eons; great cities were formed, massive ceremonial buildings, palaces, temples and personal dwellings were constructed, and the people farmed the land with great proficiency. Remnants of this extraordinary people and a quite sizeable population of direct descendants still exist in Belize and all across the Yucatan today, despite hundreds of years of European colonization of the area.

Spain aggressively controlled most of the colonies on the fringes of this New World, when the first English settlers arrived in the early 1600s. For the next two centuries military conflicts (mostly naval) between the British and Spanish raged, as both countries desired this land. Regional power struggles continued in the area over the next 50 years, and then in 1862, the Settlement of Belize was officially declared a British colony, and named British Honduras. Similar to all European colonies in the Americas, British Honduras also craved independence, but Guatemala continued to claim the entire area, and the British were reluctant to release their firm grip. By the 1960s the British began to soften their position, and though they still controlled the entire defense and foreign affair of the settlement, its name was changed to Belize in anticipation of the independence, which finally did come in 1981.

The People

Today you can see the remnants of the original settlers in Belize namely the Maya, British and European people. Today Belize offers a multi-cultural society made up of Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Arabs, Garifuna, Maya, and Mennonites just to name a few. Belize is a country rich in Culture and rooted in beliefs of working together for a strong economy. The Belizean people are known for their cultural tolerance, diversity and friendliness and it’s not uncommon to see the Belizean people smiling and waving at anyone passing by.

Spirituality in Belize life is diverse in a way that it will suit many nationalities. Majority of the citizens are Catholics while a fourth of the population are Protestant (Pentecostal, Anglican, Seventh - day Adventist, Mennonite, Methodist, and Jehovah’s Witnesses). Other religions present are Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.

The Economy

Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth and is governed by parliamentary democracy. It then became an independent nation in 1981 and has a stable and progressive political history. Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism are key elements of its economy. Belize enjoys close ties with the U.S. and UK and steady economic growth.

The national currency of Belize is called Belizean Dollar (BZD) and is approximately worth a half of U.S. Dollar, depending on the inflation. It comes in denominations of 2 dollars, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 50 dollars, and 100 dollars. One Belizean dollar is a coins and a 25 cent coin is called a shilling.

Foreign investors enjoy a range of incentives in Belize, outlined in its Fiscal Incentives Act of 1990. Foreign-owned real estate privileges, offshore banking and a lack of capital gains tax attract international business to Belize. With Houston airport just over two hours flying time away and Miami airport an hour and a half, the country's proximity to the U.S. is another attractive feature for foreign investors.

The Atmosphere

The laid back atmosphere of Belize life actually comes from a unique blend of nationalities. Belize enjoys a nice tropical weather. It rains a lot during the months of May to November, while dry season is on February to May.

PLATINUM INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE AND INVESTMENTS would love to welcome you to share in our experiences. Selling real estate is what we do best and with our various departmentalized services we offer everyone looking to buy or sell real estate in Belize unmatched services amongst our competitors.

Please take the time to read, comment and share about your experiences.

Thank you,
Platinum International Real Estate
Management and Staff

Written by:
Will Moreno
Copyrighted 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009