Belmond and global environmental organisation, Parley for the Oceans have joined forces to boost sustainability efforts to ensure the protection of our oceans and ecosystem.
The newly opened Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya in Mexico, will pilot the new partnership before it’s rolled out across Belmond’s seaside destinations throughout 2025.
Riviera Maya is home to the world’s second-largest coral reef and four endangered species of sea turtles. Over the past decade, Maroma has implemented several sustainability initiatives from its turtle conservation programme to supporting local fishermen.
It also has a long-running partnership to house and protect hives of the endangered Melipona bee, which are considered sacred by Maya and ancient cultures of the Yucatán Peninsula and are prolific rainforest pollinators critical to the local ecosystem.
Redefining luxury travel
Parley for the Oceans founder, Cyrill Gutsch says, “Our alliance with Belmond is not about ‘eco-tourism,’ it’s about redefining luxury travel that is rooted in purpose and the sense of connection to place that is already central to the Belmond ethos, to support and empower local Ocean Guardians.
“Maroma will become an epicentre and facilitator for change. It goes far beyond removing plastics from the hotel, this is about recognising that each hotel isn’t isolated but rather an influential part of an interconnected community and ecosystem.”
Belmond CEO Dan Ruff, says the program will “empower our teams, guests, and the local community to help conserve this precious ecosystem”.
“The partnership will amplify the role of Maroma as custodians of the coastline, writing a new chapter in the hotel’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.”
And he says guests can be confident that by staying with Belmond they’ll not only enjoy a deep connection with the place and culture, “but also protect and shape the heritage of tomorrow”.
Partnership highlights
The partnership will see the creation of Maroma’s ‘Ocean Guardians’ programme, educating employees and celebrating their role in protecting their local environment.
The hotel will expand protected zones and nesting areas for sea turtles, bolstering biodiversity and long-term conservation and have tailored Parley talks to raise awareness of the state of the oceans and garner support for initiatives that protect oceans.
Parley and Maroma will also collaborate with coral experts and local scientists to support crucial conservation, restoration and citizen science projects that protect coral reefs.
Maroma will also take action against plastic pollution through beach clean-ups, to support the hotel staff’s leadership role in present and future environmental efforts to preserve and protect native biodiversity.
For more information, visit Belmond.
