Sustainable Tourism Works in the Longterm

Solar Energy Rainwater Harvesting

Natural Air-Conditioning Chlorine free pool running on renewable energy Anaerobic wastewater treatment No insecticides/pesticides used in the gardens Locally employed team Organic locally sourced items wherever possible

Since opening 15 years ago, the eco-friendly Hotel Mockingbird Hill has gained credibility as a leader in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism development in Jamaica and the Caribbean with accolades including winning the American Express/CHA prize for being the most Environmentally Friendly Friendly Small Hotel for 2 years running in addition to full Green Globe Certification.

The owners of Hotel Mockingbird Hill take a holistic view of their business guided by established principles of sustainability and are totally committed to the highest level of environmental management, incorporating it into every aspect of the hotel’s operations. The hotel’s ethos “guiltless indulgence” communicates its focus of providing comfort in a responsible fashion. It doesn’t simply provide luxury at any cost but concentrates on sustainable luxury. From its inception the hotel’s aim was to prove that a small business could operate in a sustainable manner successfully without placing undue burdens on the environment

Our Ethical Mission Statement

At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill we recognise that:

Sustainable and responsible tourism is a desirable activity of economic benefit to local communities and of personal benefit to the individual.

Excessive and insensitive tourism development and activity can threaten the quality of both the environment and of the tourist experience.

At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill we believe that every enterprise has an obligation to protect the environment and to offer something of tangible benefit to the community. Business must add value to the economy and the society to make a positive contribution. We have taken a formal approach to ensure that good environmental practices are identified and monitored.

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is committed to the highest level of environmental management, incorporating it into every aspect of its operations. We take a holistic view of our business and are guided by the following principles of sustainability:

Enjoyment

The promotion of tourist enjoyment of the countryside should primarily be aimed at those activities which draw on the character of the countryside itself, its beauty, culture, history and flora and fauna. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill actively supports the care and conservation of the Portland area and encourages visitors to enjoy the natural beauty in an environmentally friendly manner.

Rural Economy

Development should support the rural economy and seek a wide spread to ensure economic and other benefits for the host community. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill favours homegrown produce and uses only local, seasonal produce. We seek to provide secure, stable and meaningful employment for people of our community.

Conservation

Those who benefit from tourism should contribute to the conservation and enhancement of its most valuable asset, the countryside, through political and practical support for conservation. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill preserves its natural surroundings in order to maintain the habitat of native flora and fauna. Wherever possible we try and improve.

Resource Management

We provide excellent service and a good quality product without compromising the comfort of our guests. We seek to reduce consumption of energy and natural resources as far as possible by careful housekeeping and implementation of the state-of-art technology.

Waste Management

We promote an active policy of waste avoidance. We minimise, re-use and recycle waste and use recycled items wherever possible. We dispose of all our waste through safe and responsible methods.

Products - Buying Policies

We use naturally based, close-to-source products, avoiding those that are scarce or under threat. We do not buy individually packaged, single use, disposable items.

Risk Reduction

We seek to minimise the risk of damage to the environment and to the health and safety of our staff and customers by using environmentally friendly products and safe procedures. No pesticides, insecticides or harmful chemicals are used.

Communication

At Hotel Mocking Bird Hill we foster good communications with the local community in order to be a good neighbour and help improve the local environment. We encourage regular interaction with environmental organisations and the tourism industry. We promote visitor awareness and considerate behaviour.

Marketing

Publicity, information and marketing initiatives of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill endeavour to develop people's understanding of and concern for the country and the people.

Education

Education is a key element of our sense of responsibility. The hotel is used as an arena for raising the awareness of staff, suppliers and guests on a wide range of crucial environmental and social issues. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill strives to increase understanding of the inter-dependency between tourism and our environment and to encourage people to be responsible and accountable for their actions.

Assessment of Operations

The management of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill assumes responsibility for the environmental impact of its operations. In addition to complying with the applicable laws and regulations, we undergo periodic internal assessments which help us not only to monitor our operations but to identify areas for further improvement. We believe in ethical business practices and see our enterprise as a force for social change.

Hotel Mockingbird Hill Environmental Report

In 2008 Hotel Mocking Bird Hill made significant steps towards achieving the sustainability goals it has set itself.

The mission is to develop high quality tourism that is responsible and that minimises its negative impact and enhancing guests comfort and experience. While profits are important, the company is values driven. We have always taken the long term view in our decision making and are constantly challenging ourselves with regards to reducing our footprint in the future.

When we opened in 1993 the driving forces was our commitment to be as earth-friendly as possible, to assist biodiversity conservation, and thus help safeguard the environment on which we depend so much for the wellbeing of everyone on this planet. To that approach we have added the goals of becoming water and carbon neutral with the hope that one day Read more ...Synopsis | Full Report