Green Globe certifies Catalonia Playa Maroma

LOS ANGELES, California – Green Globe congratulated Catalonia Playa Maroma on its first certification and a notable compliance score of 82% against accredited criteria.

LOS ANGELES, California – Green Globe congratulated Catalonia Playa Maroma on its first certification and a notable compliance score of 82% against accredited criteria.

The Catalonia Playa Maroma is a 5-star, all-inclusive hotel located in Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Guests can visit historical sites such as the Xcaret Maya Ruins, museums and zoos. While the adventurous can explore jungles, primeval underground river systems and enjoy outdoor activities including cruises and watersports.


Led by Guadalupe Campos, Hygiene Control Coordinator, Quality and Environment at the hotel, the Green Team organizes social and environmental CSR initiatives to raise awareness about sustainability concepts amongst staff, stakeholders and guests.

Ms. Campos said, “By working together with members of the Green Team and employees of the hotel we were able to achieve the establishment of an environmental policy that promotes conservation of natural resources by carrying out good, sustainable practices.”

ECOCAT (the Green Team) meet monthly to discuss and propose solutions to environmental challenges such as improved energy and waste management. The team also plans green activities including Ecological Day with tours to the nursery and the Butterfly House, beach clean up days and annual Earth Hour celebrations. Other fun activities involving guest participation include Tree Day where tree planting is carried out and workshops such as constructing a giant Christmas Tree out of recycled materials during Christmas festivities.

As part of its community programs, Catalonia Playa Maroma provides maintenance services in all the facilities and green areas of the Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta Kindergarten located in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Futhermore, staff collect pencils, notebooks and backpacks for children and young people in Mayan communities. And hotel partners join with the hotel to donate food to Mayan families. Last January, the hotel distributed toys to children that were collected by staff in celebration of Three Kings Day.

To foster regional development, Catalonia Playa Maroma prefers locally sourced produce where possible and offers honey, coffee and traditional drinks to guests. Jewelry and coffee mugs made by local suppliers are also on sale at the hotel.

Management and staff work closely together to maintain sustainable standards and aim to ensure they become part of daily operational procedures. Energy and water usage are monitored monthly. To reduce electricity consumption, energy efficient facility equipment and office equipment have been utilized. And all computers are programmed to activate an energy saving system after ten minutes of inaction.

Low flow showerheads and aerators are fixed on taps at the property to minimize water usage.

An effective waste management program is in place with segregated bins located throughout the property. Cardboard, glass and bottles, plastics and fluorescent tubes as well as electronic equipment including TVs and cell phones are recycled. To reduce the property’s impact on the environment, organic products are used to fertilize gardens. In addition, eco-friendly products are utilized for cleaning rooms, dry cleaning and washing dishes.

Please see Catalonia Playa Maroma for further information.

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).

Green Globe is a member of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) .

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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