Mexico’s Velas Vallarta Shows Their Green Side to Guests
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PRWEB) May 29, 2015 -- From fostering orphaned wildlife in the General Manager's private pool to diverting 750 lbs of raw food waste daily to a local hog farmer, Velas Vallarta is committed to environmental sustainability. So, in response to guest interest, Mexico’s Velas Vallarta has launched new complimentary tours showcasing the resort's relationship with local ecology.
"We are certified with EarthCheck (formally Green Globe) and also with TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program,” said Mr. Donald Willis, Assistant Manager of Operations. “TripAdvisor developed the GreenLeaders program with help from national and international green industry experts including the US Green Building Council's LEED Certification Program and the United Nations Environment Program which is why we are so honored to have Gold Status, the second highest level of environmentally friendly practices activation."
Velas Vallarta is located on Puerto Vallarta's Marina Vallarta beach where sea turtles nest from June to December. Volunteers come from around the world to help scientists find and protect turtle eggs, camping on the beach for weeks. "At Velas Vallarta, we share their dedication and support them with shower facilities, three meals a day, and a nursery on our property where the eggs are kept for approximately 45 days until they begin to hatch," said Willis. "Last year, with our combined efforts we were able to raise and release 23,741 baby turtles!"
Recent guest Carol Patterson - Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and sustainable tourism expert - commented on the hotel's green practices, “I was impressed when I saw Mr. Willis take time to rescue a small bird. It showed a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond formal standards and underscores research showing consumer choice is influenced by hotel support of host communities."
Specialty guides lead new behind-the-scenes eco tours, taking guests to hotel areas seldom seen by visitors including the solar panels, which heat the showers and pool water, and recycling facility. For aesthetic purposes, guest rooms do not have blue boxes but all garbage is sorted and recycled, where possible, to minimize waste. Tour participants learn how composting is keeping plants healthy and reducing the use of pesticide chemicals by one half. Guests also get a rare peak at enclosures used to house resident peacocks and injured wild birds and the turtle nursery.
Nightly rates at Velas Vallarta start as $147 per person per night, based on double occupancy. All-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, à la carte meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. The new hotel behind-the-scenes eco-tour is complimentary for resort guests. For reservations or more information, please visit http://www.velasvallarta.com, or call 1-888-407-4869.
About Velas Vallarta
Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive family resort located on 10 acres of oceanfront with lush gardens in Puerto Vallarta, walking distance of Marina Vallarta Golf Course and just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Situated on the emerald waters of Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta features 345 suites in three eight-storey buildings, a high-tech Convention Center that can accommodate up to 700 people, three swimming pools, a rejuvenating spa along with spa cabins seaside, fitness center, multiple restaurants, and an inviting lounge with live music. Nightly theme dinners and local specialties are sure to please even the most discerning palate, and room service is available around the clock. When it comes to daytime and evening entertainment, guests can choose from an exciting and original array of activities and events, from making piñatas and jewelry, yoga on the jetty to Mexican fiestas and casino nights. The recently renovated Kids’ Club also welcomes children under 13 with supervised activities like treasure hunt, face painting, sand castles to crafting with beads, allowing parents to indulge in a choice of exciting or relaxing pursuits like a game of golf, a variety of excursions or pampering at the spa. In addition, the resort was one of the first in the destination with a Green Globe certification, dating back to 2008. Puerto Vallarta features championship golf courses, world-class spas and magnificent beaches, not to mention various sports and activities up in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The possibilities for rest and relaxation, or fun and excitement, are endless. Velas Vallarta was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela by his side, vice president of Velas Resorts.
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Megan Sterritt, KWE Partners, +1 7862474812, [email protected]
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