Since its launch in July 2019, InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef’s journey has been intrinsically linked to safeguarding its place in the Great Barrier Reef with a steadfast sustainability commitment. After the destruction of Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the resort undertook work to rebuild the island’s infrastructure with sustainability measures at the forefront. An in-room automation system – Suite Control – was installed to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions and regulate the room environment optimising guest preferences. In addition to this, automated black-out curtains were installed, while conventional light fittings were replaced with LED fittings.
From a waste management perspective, all water used on-island is produced through an onsite Reverse Osmosis Desalination plant capable of recycling ocean saltwater. While the by-product of the resort’s sewage treatment plant is used as recycled irrigation water and an on-island glass-to-sand crusher recycles glass bottles for use in maintaining pathways. In addition to these measures, the resort undertakes wet food recycling, a process that has reduced general waste landfill by more than 450 tonnes this year.
During their stay, guests are taken on a journey of education. They are exclusively supplied with reef-safe sunscreen – namely environmentally friendly Australian owned We Are Feel Good Inc. products, a biologically-safer sunscreen alternative – and receive a complimentary, reusable water bottle upon check-in reinforcing the ban on single-use plastic. Multiple still filtered water stations are placed conveniently across the resort.
Conference groups can embark on Sustainability Tours and interactive sessions with the region’s leading Marine Biologists on Blue Pearl Bay, while InterContinental Planet Trekker’s Kids Club has designed an education program for little travellers which centres on local marine life and conservation. The above sustainability initiatives have been implemented to conserve Hayman Island’s natural beauty for years to come.
