In honor of Earth Month, Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, announces several new corporate sustainability responsibility (CSR) commitments as part of its Happy to Care program for Earth Month and beyond. With the core value that sustainability is part of the travel journey, Club Med continues to establish nature conservation programs focused on protecting local environments and furthering both sustainable and regenerative tourism, while engaging guests and local youth through fun and educational workshops.
“Through strategic initiatives like Happy to Care, Club Med is dedicated to fostering a profound and lasting impact on both the environment and the communities we touch while also embracing their warm welcome,” noted Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America and the Caribbean in a media announcement.
Biodiversity Protection in the Dominican Republic
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, in partnership with local organizations and environmental groups, continues to spearhead pioneering biodiversity protection initiatives that foster sustainable tourism practices while safeguarding the Dominican Republic’s natural treasures.
- Protortuga, Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program: Established in 2023 through a collaboration between PROMICHES (Hotel and Tourism Association El Seibo-Miches) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Protortuga aims to create optimal conditions for sea turtle reproduction on the beaches of Miches and La Vacama. In its inaugural year, the Miches Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program monitored 30 miles of coastal area, safely released 728 baby turtles, and engaged over 380 participants in environmental workshops. With three identified species of sea turtles to protect—Leatherback, Green, and Carey—Protortuga plays a crucial role in both conservation efforts, having registered 1,399 turtle eggs to date, and creating the link between tourism and environmental conservation in the Dominican Republic.
The Peregrine Fund: Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda partnered with non-profit organization, The Peregrine Fund, to raise awareness of endangered species endemic to the Dominican Republic via a hands-on workshop at the resort. During the session, guests and staff learned about the endangered Ridgeway Hawk, unraveling its pivotal role in the Dominican Republic’s ecosystem. The session also shed light on The Peregrine Fund’s remarkable conservation efforts and allowed the group to forge real connections with two rescued hawks: Leo, a small Ridgeway Hawk, and Amazona, a Redtail Hawk. Established in 1970, The Peregrine Fund is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their habitat. Their Ambassador Hawks initiative integrates birds of prey that are unable to return to the wild into impactful environmental educational programs. The collaborative workshop at Club Med Miches raised nearly $4,000 and is part of an ongoing financial commitment Club Med has made to the organization.
Sea Camps for Kids and Coral Protection in the Bahamas
Club Med Columbus has teamed up with local scuba provider Only Blue Diving to organize a 3-day Mini Sea Camp for teens of San Salvador Island, a marine reserve protected since 2002 by the Bahamian government. The camp consists of snorkeling with sea animals, coral identification, and lessons on reef preservation and marine ecosystems. In 2024, Club Med Columbus has committed to hosting a monthly Mini Sea Camp with the goal of providing the beneficial experience for local teens.
Club Med Columbus will expand environmental support through its partnership with Only Blue supporting them in their launch as an official NGO: Only Blue for Reef. This partnership’s creation includes building three coral reef nurseries and restoring a major fish habitat. Both will be accessible by beginner divers, providing a hands-on experience to understand the importance of protecting these beautiful natural environments. In addition, divers can also play a part in protecting the coral via a new “Adopt a Coral” program where they will attach their “adopted” fragment of coral from the nursery to an artificial reef, under the supervision of a marine biologist.
In addition to the Mini Sea Camps, Only Blue offers training programs delivered by certified instructors including Coral Reef Conservation, Sea Turtle Awareness, Shark Conservation, Dive Against Debris and more. Only Blue Diving provides scuba and dive packages for Club Med guests of all skill levels that include equipment, courses and excursions on eco-responsible boats.
For more information, visit clubmed.us/l/earth-month.
