We're pleased to announce that Matava – Fijis Premier Eco
Adventure Resort has received the first PADI Green Star award in the
Asia Pacific region in November 2011 for our sustainable and
eco-conscious environmental activities and business practices.
The program helps PADI Dive Centers and Resorts identify practical
actions they can take to protect and preserve the environment.
Because they choose which conservation actions they would like to
implement, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can completely customize the
program for their businesses.
“There’s more to going green than simply jumping on the eco
bandwagon,” says Bob Coleman, Vice President of Sales, Retailer and
Resort Association, PADI Americas, Latin America and Canada.
“Well-organized conservation initiatives can reduce costs while
strengthening your brand, especially when you strategically introduce
them into your overall business plan. Earning the PADI Green Star
Award shows customers that you care about the environment and are
taking action to protect it. With today’s environmentally-conscious
divers, going green can be an important competitive advantage.”
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Richard Akhtar of Matava and
Mike Holme of PADI Asia Pacific |
The PADI Green Star award requires dive operators and resorts to
conduct an objective audit of their facility and business practices
and assesses performance in water and energy use, transportation,
waste management and conservation leadership.
“We hope other dive operations and tourism providers in the Asia
Pacific region follow our example and help to protect their local
environment and achieve sustainable business practises in a green and
clean manner!” said Mr Stuart Gow, one of Matava's Directors.
"We are extremely proud to win this award. We have been lucky
to win overseas and global awards for our environmental policy in the
past year, but it is especially gratifying to be recognised at home
by our colleagues in Fiji." he continued .
Richard Akhtar, Managing Director of Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco
Adventure Resort said "At Matava, we are of course both happy
and proud to receive this prestigious award. We find it even more
important that the industry, by rewarding environmental efforts,
choose to take a stand for the environment we depend on. We also see
it as an important continuing signal to the community which at the
same time can serve to inspire the numerous individuals and companies
who have been doing so much, and continue to do even more in the
field of environmental enlightenment and conservation. This award has
highlighted Fiji's leading role and efforts in this regard
especially."
"At Matava, we are of course both happy and proud to receive
this prestigious global award. We find it even more important that
the industry, by rewarding similar efforts, choose to take a stand
for the environment we depend on. We also see it as an important
continuing signal to the community which at the same time can serve
to inspire the numerous individuals and companies who have been doing
so much, and continue to do even more in the field of environmental
enlightenment and conservation. This award has highlighted Fiji's
leading role and efforts in this regard especially in our our region
of the South Pacific."
Mr Akhtar finished by saying "Matava - Fiji's Premier
Eco-Adventure Resort has again proved that it is indeed among the
leaders in environmentally sensitive resorts worldwide, and this
latest award solidifies our position as an example of how resorts can
operate AND help maintain and improve the surrounding environment"
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PADI Green Star Award presented to Stuart Gow of Matava by Drew Richardson, President of PADI at DEMA 2012
(Danny Dwyer, Drew Richardson, Stuart Gow, Hendrick Nimb, Mike Holme) |
The Green Star award was presented to us during DEMA week in
November 2011 by PADI's Project Aware and PADI President Mr Drew
Richardson.
About Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort, is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands.
Matava - Fiji Premier Eco Adventure Resort is a PADI Dive Resort as well as a
Project AWARE GoEco Operator. With more than 12 years experience in the Fiji Islands, Matava is recognized as a leading educational dive centre. Matava offers accommodation for up to 22 guests in lush tropical surroundings in traditional thatched Fijian 'bures' with hardwood polished floors, louvre windows and private decks offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views.
For interviews, images or further information please contact Stuart Gow,
Stuart@Matava.com, t: 679-997-5416
About PADI Green Star Awards:
PADI Dive Centers and Resorts
have a powerful new tool to help organize and implement environmental
conservation programs - and be recognized for their efforts - with the
PADI Green Star Award. The program helps
PADI Dive Centers and Resorts
identify practical actions they can take to protect and preserve the
environment. Because they choose which conservation actions they would
like to implement, PADI Dive Centers and Resorts can completely
customize the program for their businesses. For additional information,
contact
Roger Josselyn at 800 729 7234 (US and Canada) or +1 949 858 7234 ext. 2519.