EPIC serves as the National Operator for two internationally recognized eco-labels, the Blue Flag for Beaches, Marinas, and sustainable tourism boats, and the Green Key for environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry (i.e. Hotels and Restaurants). Both are managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Awarded sites are recognized for their high environmental, safety, and accessiblity standards, offering a marketing advantage over other non-recognized site. Implementing the certification program has additional benefits such as reduced expenses related to water, electricity, and consumables. Below you will find a more detailed list of benefits, criteria, costs and the procedures for both eco-labels.

First launched by EPIC on Sint Maarten in 2008, the program temporarily ceased after Hurricane Irma devastated Sint Maarten/Saint Martin in September 2017. Previously certified sites were struggling to rebuild, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the island coming to an economic hault, as the island is mostly dependent on tourism. In May 2023, an end was declared to the global pandemic, and former and prospective sites had started getting back on their feet. Sites such as hotels had been in the process of rebuilding and tourism numbers had started to increase.
EPIC saw this as an important step in reinstating the eco-labels, recognising the important impact these eco labels have made locally. With the assistance of continued interest and support from stakeholders (former sites, partners and the government), the program has been brought back to life and has started running again in January 2024.

Blue Flag
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats, with over 5,000 establishments in 51 countries. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Central to the ideals of the Blue Flag program is the aim to connect the public with their surroundings and encourage them to learn more about and protect their environment. As such, environmental education activities must be offered and promoted in addition to providing information relevant to the site in terms of biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental phenomena.

Benefits of Blue Flag:
– Environment: Protection of the local environment from the destabilizing effects of unsustainable practices.
– Marketing: Increased recognition by flying the Blue Flag, representing sustainability, quality, safety and accessibility.
– Economic: A better quality of environment which gives a superior experience for visitors to your beaches, marinas and boats, thereby increasing their value. Blue Flag sites experience reduced cost due to more sustainable practices (i.e. water and electricity use).

“95% of respondents said they would recommend Blue Flag to other beach/marina managers”.
– Survey conducted among 1,151 Blue Flag managers worldwide.

Green Key
Developed in partnership with stakeholders of the hospitality and tourism industry, Green Key is an eco-certification program supported by an international steering committee of industry representatives with an in-depth understanding of the hospitality sector. Green Key has grown steadily since its launch nearly 30 years ago and now has more than 5,000 establishments participating in the program in over 60 countries. Green Key is one of the world’s largest eco-certification programs for the hospitality industry. Green Key is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and FEE’s national member organizations. Green Key has National Operators in 40+ countries that offer the program in the national language and is tailored to the national situation of the applying countries. In all countries without a National Operator, the FEE Head Office manages the program.

Benefits of Green Key:
– Environment: Demonstrates your commitment to sustainability with a high-quality, globally-recognized certificate.
– Economic: Boosts your business’ cost-effectiveness through enhanced operating efficiency.
– Management: Provides a robust support system and structure for advancing your environmental initiatives.
– Marketing: Promotes your brand’s online and offline visibility through the iconic Green Key.

Interested or have any further questions?

Get in touch with Program Manager: Delroy de Lain
ddelain@epicislands.org / +1(721) 587 1318