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In its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism leadership, Mission Hills Haikou, one of the world’s largest golf resorts, has achieved the international sustainability award, GEO Certified.
The award recognises the course’s outstanding efforts to protect the environment, provide a range of value to people and effectively manage natural resources.
Mission Hills Haikou is the biggest single-site facility to become GEO Certified.
GEO Certified, golf’s international mark of sustainability, is administered and assured by the not-for-profit Golf Environment Organisation and independently assessed.
It recognises golf businesses that demonstrate a commitment to providing more and more value to people and nature at the facilities they manage.
Located on Hainan Island, Mission Hills Haikou is known as Asia’s sport and lifestyle capital.
With ten diverse courses suitable for a range of playing abilities, Mission Hills Haikou hosts many professional and amateur tournaments, including the 2014 World Celebrity Pro-Am in October last year, China’s first carbon neutral major sporting event.
In keeping with Mission Hills’ commitment to protecting nature, proceeds from last year’s tournament were donated to the World Wildlife Fund.
Constructed on 15,000 acres of permeable black lava rock, strict management and monitoring systems have been put in at Mission Hills Haikou to ensure the conservation of ground water.
In addition, the preservation of more than 20,000 mature trees during the resort’s development, and the ongoing replanting of more than 50,000 additional trees has restored and enhanced natural habitats that are home to native wildlife species.
The ten golf courses have been carefully constructed and designed to work with and conform to the surrounding natural landscape.
The resort is also committed to people providing attractive job opportunities for local people.
As a China leader in fare wages and benefits staff are provided social insurance, a housing fund and health benefit system and professional development opportunities and training.
“We are proud to be recognized for our sustainability practices as China’s leading golf resort by the highly regarded Golf Environment Organisation,” said Ken Chu, chairman, Mission Hills Group.
“Since our beginnings as a pioneer in developing golf in China, we have been committed to doing so in a manner that is respectful of the natural environment where our resorts are located.
“Our certification by GEO lets the world know how serious we are about our sustainability commitment.”
In the onsite evaluation of Mission Hills Haikou, it was noted that Mission Hills demonstrated exceptional standards and a commitment to continual improvement in keys areas of sustainability – enhancing nature, efficient resource use, and community engagement – and management of its courses and golf infrastructure exceeded voluntary industry criteria.
Jonathan Smith, chief executive of GEO said: “Mission Hills has long promoted sustainable golf and leisure in China, consistently showing an impressive range of management initiatives.
“We are delighted that Mission Hills Haikou has joined the GEO Certified community and look forward to seeing the group help drive sustainability throughout China and internationally.”
More Information
Mission Hills Haikou is considered Asia’s Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards.
Take a look at the official website for more information.
