The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), has partnered with Wayaj, a sustainable travel platform, to strengthen the island’s strategy as it embraces sustainability as part of the future development of the industry.
Wayaj has over 470 hotel members in 109 countries, of which 26 are in the Caribbean. Its membership includes independently owned properties and several major hotel brands and affiliations like Six Senses, Marriott, Hilton, Relais and Chateaux to name a few. It is designed to encourage and promote earth friendly travel.
In Saint Lucia, Wayaj has three properties and with the new partnership with the SLHTA, that number is expected to grow.
While sustainability has been around for several years, the recent pandemic has elevated its importance making it a major travel trend.
“We must work together if we are to protect this island for future Saint Lucians. The principle of Wayaj along with the products and services they offer, bring synergies that not only allows us to bring more awareness to the destination but affords us the opportunity to do our part to fight the climate emergency,” says Noorani Azeez, Chief Executive Officer of the SLHTA.
Wayaj recently developed a proprietary Carbon Footprint Calculating Engine (CFCE EngineTM) which is unlike any other. It is easy to use, seamlessly integrates into hotel websites letting travellers calculate the carbon footprint of their stay (accommodation and transportation) and delivers instant results based on real data.
Wayaj will be working with the SLHTA on the implementation of the CFC EngineTM for its hotel members and the destination. In this partnership, Wayaj will also be sharing sustainability expertise and working with the team at the SLHTA and the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund to develop qualified local Carbon Offset Projects (COPs) so visitors can offset their carbon footprint using local projects, which allows Saint Lucia to generate needed revenue to implement and manage projects aimed at reducing or avoiding additional greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.
Nelly O Gedeon, Founder and CEO of Wayaj applauds Saint Lucia for taking that step forward and paving the way for a new paradigm shift in travel.