LOS ANGELES, California – “We are all very proud at Southern Cross Club to earn the prestigious Green Globe re-certification,” said Jennifer Mills, General Manager at the Southern Cross Club. “We are one of the few certified resorts in the Cayman Islands, and the only one in the sister islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Working with Green Globe has been extremely beneficial, as it provides us with coherent guidelines and the framework, allowing us to define and improve our environmental activities.”

For years, Green Globe Member, the Southern Cross Club, located in the Cayman Islands, has been dedicated to meet the highest international standards in regards to the environment, conservation and corporate social responsibility. The resort has an important role in protecting and enhancing the island’s environment, and setting the sustainability standards in the region.

The team at Southern Cross Club is passionate about their green efforts, protecting the surrounding environment in every way they can. Solar panels were installed in 2004, and energy efficient air conditioners and toilets were added to all guest units. The resort’s best practices include closely monitoring the water and electricity use, waste sorting, reuse and recycling, and an organic garden to grow vegetables and herbs. Staff members strictly follow conservation measures, such as turning off the fans, reusing printer paper, and using energy-efficient light bulbs. “It may seem like small things, but they can actually make a huge difference on a small island,” added Jennifer Mills.

The Southern Cross Club is very fond of its 900 feet of private beach front, which contains a large sea grass bed – a valuable natural resource, protected by the Cayman Island Department of the Environment. This marine coastal biome is one of the nurseries for the reef fish, who begin their life here. Without the nursery area, the coral reef cannot survive.

Earlier this year, in July, the Southern Cross Club took home the CEPTS Stingray Award, the highest honor given by the Cayman Island Tourism Association (CITA) for exceptionally good stewardship of the environment and an ongoing commitment to preserving it. The CEPTS project is a groundbreaking joint venture between the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Department of the Environment that encourages local business to become Green Globe certified.

ABOUT SOUTHERN CROSS CLUB

The casually sophisticated Southern Club Fish & Dive Resort is Little Cayman’s original resort. It features 12 one- and two-bedroom beachfront bungalows, complete with a top-rated, professional in-house diving operation. All of the bungalows look out over the beautiful South Hole Sound, and the clear turquoise waters shimmer with the sun and the moon. The turtle grass off the beach is home to bonefish, snapper, jacks, barracuda, mullet, stingrays, tarpon, and the occasional great blue heron, wading in to try getting lunch. Guests can sit on the porch and watch the world creep by in a timeless procession. Most of the cottages feature a private, outdoor shower, overlooking the Sound. Friendly and diligent service, delicious food, inviting rooms with breathtaking views and a comfortable dive boat are a few of the things that bring back visitors year after year. The resort’s beach-based location also provides flats fisherman with access to Bonefish and Permit, just minutes away.

ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

Green Globe Certification 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 Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, supported by the United Nations Foundation. For information, visit www.greenglobe.com