Green Globe Recognized Solar Powered Hospitality Leader Nominated For United Nations Environmental Award

(Cleveland, USA & Nairobi, Kenya & Panama City, Panama) - Rancho de Caldera (http://www.ranchodecaldera.com), a private, solar powered sustainable living and hospitality initiative in West Panama's Boquete district, near the border to Costa Rica, has been nominated for the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme’s ‘Champions of the Earth’ award for entrepreneurial vision.

Says Rancho de Caldera co-initiator Gina Tippit Cronin: “Some years ago, I dreamed of developing a luxurious sustainable living model offering high levels of comfort but with a low carbon foot print.

For sustainable natural resource management and preservation, I envisioned incorporating things like clean energies, solar, hydro and wind power, organic produce cultivation, recycle and waste reduction programs - all integrated into a design that would leave the land even more beautiful than it is.

Despite challenges like not speaking the language and no experience, and with invaluable support from Chris McCall and many others, that vision has become a reality today at Rancho de Caldera in Boquete, Panama.

Within this context, on behalf of Rancho de Caldera friends, contributors, guests, visitors from around the world, managers and staff, I humbly acknowledge Rancho de Caldera’s nomination for this award.

I would also like to take this occasion and thank Green Globe for guidance and support in achieving greater sustainability at Rancho de Caldera, and the Sustainable Travel International organization for leadership in advancing sustainability in the travel industry under the motto 'leave the world a better place'.” (http://ranchodecaldera.com/green-globe.php)

Comments Brian T. Mullis, CEO of Sustainable Travel International:

“Rancho de Caldera Resort’s entrepreneurial vision and progressive approach to sustainable tourism helped them to get nominated for the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme’s “Champions of the Earth" award. Given that they are one of the few luxurious eco-resorts in the world that operate off the grid year round, relying on solar, hydro and wind power, I can’t think of a more worthy nominee for this prestigious environmental award.” (http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org/)

According to a Green Globe spokesperson, Rancho de Caldera is the first hospitality project in Central America in compliance with sustainability standards as recognized by the Green Globe certification.

United Nations Environment Programme publications state that their ‘Champions of the Earth’ award is to recognize those ‘…who have made a significant contribution…to the protection and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources’ and that the award is held in conjunction with the ‘world’s leading conference on business and environment’, the ‘Business for the Environment’ (B4E) Global Summit.

In the Boquete region of West Panama, near the Costa Rica border, Rancho de Caldera eco-resort and retreat center, and Madre Tierra gourmet restaurant are part of a small, private eco-project providing luxury accommodations, nature experiences, bird watching, horseback riding, hot springs, retreats, workshops and gourmet food in a self-sustaining, nature friendly, solar powered off the grid environment. In recognition of its clean energy operations and green policies, Rancho de Caldera is one of the few luxurious eco-resorts in Central America awarded the coveted Green Globe hospitality certificate. More information and photos at www.ranchodecaldera.com

Rancho de Caldera
P O Box 112
Boquete, Chiriqui
Republic of Panama

Panama Mobile: +507 6612-2147
Panama Land Line: +507 720-4225
Phone from USA: (877) 810-0898 or (216) 220-0192

Rancho de Caldera on Twitter @panamatravels
YouTube: www.youtube.com/panamatraveltips

Press contact: Gina +507 6611247
www.ranchodecaldera.com/contact.php

Rancho de Caldera on Twitter: @panamatravels
Rancho de Caldera on YouTube: www.youtube.com/panamatraveltips

This release was published on openPR.