At BodyHoliday, wellness has always incorporated more than spa treatments, fitness classes, and exercise. True well-being includes both people and the planet. Our resort, located on the beautiful Saint Lucia coastline, is a model for sustainable tourism, not just a vacation hotspot. Guests can enjoy our organic garden, while we also harness solar power, and carefully monitor waste reduction, illustrating our commitment to minimizing our environmental footprint.
In this blog, I will explore our sustainable tourism efforts, highlighting our innovative resource conservation programs and how we are motivating our guests, staff, and members to collaboratively join us in preserving the paradise we call home.
Powering the Future Responsibly
One of our many sustainability objectives has included the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the resort as well as enhancing energy efficiency. With abundant Saint Lucia sunshine, we are able to harness renewable energy, and are taking advantage of this source. Our photovoltaic solar panels are already significantly augmenting the resort’s electricity supply.
To reduce energy consumption, our resort has taken measures including the installation of LED lights, which lowers both energy consumption and maintenance needs. In our guest rooms, power management systems tied to keycards control electricity use. Lights and air conditioning shut off when guests depart, eliminating unnecessary energy use.
In the Caribbean, where air conditioning is often required, we promote the use of ceiling fans as a more eco-friendly and breezier alternative. Regular energy audits help track consumption and identify more ways to economize.
Every Drop Counts
At BodyHoliday, we understand that water is a precious commodity, particularly on an island. As a BodyHoliday guest, your comfort and experience are balanced against responsibility in a comprehensive approach to conserving water.
Luxury is maintained through the use of low-flow showers, taps, and dual-flush toilets in the bathrooms which curb water waste. Guests are invited to take part in a water and energy conserving towel and linen reuse program. Signs in rooms promote eco-friendly habits and explain the environmental impacts of guests’ choices, enabling more aware habits.
One of the most important parts of our sustainability initiatives is the grey water recycling system. We recycle around 30,000 gallons of grey water every day. This is sufficient to irrigate our sprawling gardens. This not only helps us cut down on fresh water, but also sustains the flourishing of our lush grounds.
In addition, our gardens also feature local drought-tolerant plants, which provide irrigation to the region and require minimal watering. These species also help to foster biodiversity, making them even more beneficial.
Rethinking What We Throw Away
At every section of BodyHoliday’s operations, Waste Reduction is a priority. We have also worked hard to maintain comfort and hygiene standards. This includes a reduction in disposable plastic items and a decreased contribution to the landfill.
In an effort to provide guests with top of the range comfort, every guest bathroom is now equipped with refillable bulk dispensers. These sleek shampoo and conditioner, soap, and moisturizer aluminium containers not only look more sophisticated than plastic toiletry containers, but they also aid in the reduction of plastic waste. This is a huge step forward in the PV aspect of sustainability.
At our resort, plastic water bottles do not exist. Rather, each guest is given an aluminum water bottle, which can be refilled throughout the resort. This change reduces the millions of single-use water bottles tossed on the beaches and in the landfills of Saint Lucia.
In our kitchens and gardens, there is no waste. All organic waste generated in the I-tal organic garden is composted. This organic matter is then transformed into nutrient-rich soil. This system enables us to directly contribute to the farm-to-table dining experience offered in our wellness restaurant.
To further reduce paper usage, we’ve also digitised many of our communications, using electronic mailing instead of printed materials wherever possible.
From Our Garden to Your Plate
At BodyHoliday, sustainability goes beyond just minimizing damage; it is about nourishing life. This is especially visible through our philosophy regarding food and beverages.
We minimize food miles by sourcing most ingredients from local farmers and fishermen which ensures that the meals served are fresh, seasonal, and aligned with our wellness ethos. This also helps in reducing carbon emissions and boosting the local economy.
Our I-tal restaurant is the crown jewel of this movement. Rooted in Caribbean tradition and Rastafarian principles, it champions plant-based, organic cuisine which is grown in our on-site organic garden. These crops are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and the soil is nourished by our kitchen’s compost, creating a self-sustaining loop that provides nourishing and delicious meals.
All food service areas have eliminated the use of single-use plastics entirely. There is also responsible management of byproducts such as the recycling of used cooking oil.
Eco-Conscious Guest Experiences: Engage, Explore, Empower
At BodyHoliday, sustainability is not hidden; it is a fully integrated part of the guest experience. Guests are invited, through placed educational materials around the resort and guided tours, to engage with and explore the land, the sea, the culture of Saint Lucia in meaningful and low-impact ways.
Adventure lovers can hike along the Well Fit Trail which includes natural exercise stations. Abseiling, rock climbing, and cycling to adjacent towns are available for the more adventurous. Walking flora and fauna tours provided by expert guides are available for those who prefer more leisurely paced activities.
Along with other operations, we focus on minimizing environmental impacts by using natural pest deterrents. We also support healthy ecosystems for beneficial insects by maintaining onsite beehives which aid in pollination.
Guests can practice their own sustainability by using refill stations, composting, and walking on eco-garden pathways.
Community and Cultural Biodiversity
Social sustainability also matters, and for us at BodyHoliday, this translates into hiring and training locals from Saint Lucia, giving them the best pay in the area and ongoing training. We believe in sponsorship of people, as well as providing the ample funding to their physical infrastructure spending.
Throughout the resort, you can find the vibrant spirit and culture of the island. Local craftsmen and artists help with the design and decoration of BodyHoliday, as well as the gift shop, which gives BodyHoliday an authentic Caribbean identity that honors its heritage.
Our sustainability efforts include the marine environment. We support marine conservation initiatives, and are pleased to say that no gray water, rain water, or sewage runoff from our property pollutes the ocean or beach. This commitment aids in preserving Saint Lucia’s coral reefs and marine ecosystems for future generations.
Certification, Accountability, and the Road Ahead
Any authentic sustainability strategy requires transparency and accountability. For this reason, we have created a Green Team with representatives from every department. This team holds regular meetings to evaluate all practices and engagement, which encourages active resort-wide participation.
We are proactively pursuing formal sustainability certifications like Green Globe and EarthCheck, using their stringent requirements as a benchmark for our progress and guiding our initiatives.
Most importantly, BodyHoliday’s eco-mission statement provides precise operational direction, making eco-conscious decisions and actions the norm. The resort’s enduring commitment inspires sustainable choices and actions among guests and staff.
Wellness Without Compromise
Luxury and sustainability have always been viewed as opposing ideas, but at BodyHoliday, we’ve succeeded in using both at once. Inspired by holistic tourism, our body and mind services actively change our guest’s body, spirit, and mind for the better.
When you stay at BodyHoliday, you’re not just choosing a wellness retreat. You’re choosing to support a resort that cares deeply about the environment, the people of Saint Lucia, and the long-term beauty of this paradise we all call home.