RCI Timeshare Announces Winners of Go Green Awards
Thursday, October 4, 2012
RCI timeshare exchange has announced the winners of its “Go Green Awards” for affiliate RCI timeshare resorts in the Pacific. Presented at the recent ATHOC conference (Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council), these awards went to environmentally responsible vacation and timeshare resorts that are leading the way with “green” practices and innovations.
Receiving top honors was New Zealand’s Club Paihia. This beautiful resort made major improvements to programs and efforts it already had underway, including continued care for an adjacent native wildlife habitat. Additionally, Club Paihai targeted ongoing refurbishments and cost-effective sustainable practices.
Taking runner-up awards were Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific Torquay and The Pines resort in Wanaka, New Zealand.
Dr. David Weaver, professor of Tourism Research at Griffith University, and awards adjudicator, says, “The three impressive finalists selected this year all reflect the triple challenge of (a) managing ‘inherited’ properties that were not originally built with sustainability in mind, (b) coping with tricky climate and topography conditions and (c) meeting customer and owner expectations of comfort and amenity.”
Dr. Weaver also explains that such initiatives have gone far beyond recycling and linen reuse efforts that once were considered cutting-edge in environmental responsibility.
In recognition of their commitment to sustainable environmental practices, each of the RCI Timeshare Go Green finalists received cash donations to further expand their environmental programs. North America and Europe have modeled their Green Award programs after this exemplary Pacific initiative.
