WHA Members

“We understand that to help generate awareness and consciousness towards our guests, we have got to make a ‘hands-on’ approach on the matter. We are first educating and practically making our staff fall-in-love on the importance of our World Heritage sites’ and their preservation, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, and local economic development for local Mayan communities. Then we will all become one-on-one ambassadors and will transmit the knowledge and appreciation on to our guests. We will decisively help to ensure the long-term conservation of our beautiful rich destination.” – General Manager, Lucy Ruiz.

Created by owner, Carlos Gosselin, in homage to his wife, Elisa Gosselin, Paraiso de la Bonita (Paradise of the Beautiful) lies beachfront amidst 14 acres leading into the Caribbean Sea. The AAA Five Diamond property, which is well known for its dramatic architecture and striking use of color, features ninety ocean view suites, approximately 1,130 square feet in size, with large, private outdoor terraces (some with plunge pools); living rooms; and marble bathrooms with sunken bathtubs for two . Each of the suites is individually decorated with unusual fabrics, sculpture and antique treasures sourced by Carlos and Elisa during their travels to the Mediterranean, India, Africa, Bali, China and the Caribbean. Suites are named after geographic locations such as: Antigua, Jaipur, KwaZulu and Marbella and feature Bulgari amenities and an in-suite Tequila service.

Paraiso de la Bonita and the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism:

• Implementing the World Heritage Alliance principles
  

  Paraiso de la Bonita Resort fosters great attention to social, cultural and environmental sustainability within the resort by offsetting carbon emissions from all our guests who make their reservations through the Leading Green Initiative Program, providing public transportation to work, and participating in community service projects. The resort is certified to protect the hatching environment of the turtles, and we have designed a special program for the protection of the native blue crab population.

• Participating in staff training programs
  

  By educating our different levels of staff at the property via online and in-site awareness workshops and courses.

• Educating customers about World Heritage
  

  By distributing educational brochures, related content and information to our guests on World Heritage.

   

  By creating exclusive 'World Heritage Experience Packages' for the Archeological Ruins of 'Chichen Itza' and the Biosphere Reserve of 'Sian Ka'an', both World Heritage destinations.

   

  By promoting the 'Friends of World Heritage' website to educate our guests on the importance of World Heritage and responsible tourism.

• Supporting community development around World Heritage sites
  

  By supporting COMPACT projects to foster sustainable livelihoods in and around World Heritage sites; like the 'Punta Allen Energy Project' in the south of the Yucatan Peninsula.

   

  On the other hand, Paraiso de la Bonita in association with 'Community Tours Sian Ka'an', a locally predominantly Mayan owned sustainable tourism cooperative are working to ensure protection of the delicate mix of coral reefs, mangroves, clear deep water pools, forests and over 300 species of fauna. Supported by the United Nations, the World Heritage Alliance has joined efforts with the Mexican government, local authorities and Paraiso de la Bonita to promote sustainable development of the Mayan communities through responsible tourism.

   

  Paraiso de la Bonita in partnership with 'Community Tours Sian Ka'an' also offers a specially-designed Adventure Package named 'Paraiso & Sian Ka'an Experience' encouraging guests to visit the beautiful Biosphere Reserve first-hand to gain appreciation for nature.

   

  The resort is also developing an Organic-Food Partnership to regularly purchase fresh, organic and sustainable-harvested produce from a local biosphere merchant.

• Engaging employees to support the local community
  

  Through WHA volunteer programs that allow employees to work side-by-side with community-based initiatives.

• Supporting the United Nations in its efforts
  

  To encourage sustainable tourism and the protection of World Heritage sites through the UNESCO World Heritage Convention by being the world's largest private supporter of World Heritage. This specifically includes the organization of special events to raise money and awareness, among the high-end traveling public, in direct support of community needs in and around World Heritage sites.