When the Salterra Resort & Spa opened in March on South Caicos, it made a significant statement in the luxury hospitality industry. This new addition to Marriott’s Luxury Collection combines exquisite beachfront aesthetics with a strong commitment to sustainability, making it a pioneering model in the Caribbean.
Pioneering Sustainable Practices
Salterra integrates sustainability throughout its operations, targeting areas such as energy consumption, water conservation, and waste management. "Our product is the place," explains the resort’s associate director of sustainability, Camilo Arado Lilleslatten. By promoting and celebrating the environmental and cultural elements of South Caicos, Salterra aims to set a new standard for sustainable development in the Caribbean.
Solar Energy Initiatives
One notable initiative is their collaboration with FortisTCI, the energy utility for the region, to install a 400-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. This solar installation is expected to generate approximately 700,000 kilowatt-hours annually, enough to power about 70 U.S. homes, and reduce the resort’s overall emissions by around 20%.
Eco-Friendly Design Choices
The resort’s environmentally conscious design includes landscaping with local flora such as sea grapes and thatch palms, thereby minimizing water usage in an area known for low rainfall. To produce potable water on-site, Salterra uses reverse osmosis hydration, a process that underscores the importance of water conservation.
In-room amenities have also been revamped to eliminate single-use plastics. Each guestroom features filtered-water dispensers, reusable bottles, compostable products, and biodegradable materials. The on-site boutique, Macori, offers reef-safe sunscreen and items made from recycled materials.
Comprehensive Waste Management Efforts
Waste management is a significant challenge on South Caicos, where trash is often burned in open-air landfills. To tackle this issue, Salterra is developing a comprehensive waste management system, which includes separating waste streams and exporting recyclables. Partnering with the TCI government and Fundacion Grupo Puntacana, the resort aims to invest in biodigestion technology for food waste, thereby reducing its environmental impact even further.
Supporting Sustainable Fisheries
Given South Caicos’ reputation as the fishing capital of the Turks and Caicos, Salterra is committed to re-establishing a more transparent seafood supply chain. The resort has teamed with FisherFolkFirst, a nonprofit organization that promotes small-scale, sustainable fisheries. This collaboration seeks to reduce reliance on imported seafood, which often comes from environmentally harmful supply chains.
Coral Reef Conservation Initiatives
Salterra’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its property. Before its opening, the resort co-founded the South Caicos Coral Reef Consortium, a group dedicated to reef restoration and research. The consortium has set up in-situ coral nurseries and off-site labs aimed at rebuilding local coral reefs that have been impacted by climate change and other environmental threats.
Commitment to Accreditation
Salterra is also pursuing accredited sustainability certification. The resort has redeveloped an existing hotel, which has offered both challenges and opportunities to rethink its sustainable infrastructure. While there’s increased scrutiny of eco-friendly claims in the hospitality sector, Lilleslatten notes that sustainability certifications are vital for assuring travelers of genuine environmental and social responsibility.
A New Era of Luxury Travel
Salterra’s approach marries luxury with sustainability, proving that high-end accommodations need not compromise environmental stewardship. "Increasingly, luxury and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive," Lilleslatten points out. Thus, the resort embodies a renewed commitment to ensuring that local communities and ecosystems are not only supported but celebrated as part of the travel experience.
By embedding sustainable practices deeply into its operations, Salterra Resort & Spa not only aims to elevate the luxury travel experience but also aspires to lead a transformative movement in Caribbean hospitality—where protecting the planet is as important as providing exceptional service.
