He leads the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba, the World’s Most Sustainable Hotel, Ewald Biemans. When Biemans takes his morning stroll along Aruba’s pristine white-sand beaches, he is not just admiring the view—he is looking at his life’s work. As the founder of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Biemans has become one of the Caribbean’s most influential environmental pioneers. Recently, he was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Connoisseur Circle for his extraordinary contributions.
From Hidden Gem to Top Destination
When Austrian-born Ewald Biemans first arrived in Aruba, the island was a secluded paradise. In the 1960s, tourism was nearly nonexistent, sustainability was a way of life, and the island remained an insider’s secret. However, the allure of its dazzling beaches quickly spread, leading to a rapid tourism boom. Hotels sprang up faster than palm trees, and natural landscapes were replaced by pools and guest rooms.
Concerned by this shift, Biemans felt compelled to take action. By the early 1990s, he was already alarmed by the environmental impact of uncontrolled growth. Global concerns over oil crises, the ozone layer, and single-use plastics were escalating, and Aruba’s untouched nature was beginning to show signs of strain. The 1992 Rio de Janeiro Climate Conference served as a wake-up call. Having already opened his hotel in 1987 and personally planting the coconut palms along Eagle Beach—now ranked among the world’s top three beaches by Tripadvisor—he realized it was time to set a new standard for sustainability.
Growing Together for a Better Future
Today, Aruba’s economy is no longer dependent on oil but on tourism. For Biemans, success isn’t just about profit; it’s about collective growth, ensuring that as many people as possible benefit from sustainable development. He believes in raising awareness and providing practical solutions for a greener future.
To support this vision, he has launched an employee savings and loan program that offers discounted financing for eco-friendly investments like electric vehicles and solar panels. Additionally, the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort educates both staff and local residents on sustainability practices.
Recognizing the need for responsible sourcing, Biemans established a supply company to ensure that his hotel—and others on the island—receive ethically and environmentally sustainable products while minimizing transport emissions.
BUCUTI & TARA BEACH: Conservation, Innovation, and Social Responsibility
Biemans’ list of sustainability initiatives is extensive:
- He owns Aruba’s largest solar power installation.
- He transformed 12 hectares of land into a nature reserve, with over 1,000 trees planted so far, aiming for a total of 15,000. Many of Aruba’s 280 bird species have already found sanctuary there.
- His Carbon Neutrality Concierge Service assists guests in booking eco-friendly activities to offset their travel emissions.
- He implemented motion-sensor technology to turn off air conditioning when rooms are unoccupied, reducing energy consumption by 38%.
- Single-use plastics were eliminated from the resort over 20 years ago.
- Water conservation efforts save over 12 million liters annually.
- Waste reduction measures have cut resort-generated waste by 68%, with surplus buffet food donated to staff or local farmers.
- He personally feeds leftovers to his 40 chickens on his own farm.
Beyond environmental initiatives, Biemans also founded a non-profit organization to sterilize Aruba’s stray dogs and cats and actively protects the sea turtles that nest on the resort’s shores. He organizes regular beach clean-ups, where both employees and guests participate. Guests are also encouraged to leave space in their luggage for donations such as clothing and school supplies for the local orphanage.
Powering the Future—One Workout at a Time
In an innovative approach to sustainability, Biemans has installed exercise equipment that generates energy as guests work out. Long before recycling became mainstream, he had already woven the concept into the island’s culture. For Biemans, sustainability is not a luxury—it is a necessity. If we don’t change our ways, we won’t have a beach in the future; we’ll have water lapping at our hotel doors, he warns. While he may not live to see the long-term effects, his great-grandchildren will—and that’s why he insists, The entire world must take part; we can’t do this alone.
His next goal? Achieving Net Zero. He has already tackled Stages 1 and 2, and while Stage 3 is often deemed impossible, Biemans sees it as just another challenge to overcome.
But why Is Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort the World’s Most Sustainable Hotel?
Many hotels claim to be sustainable, but what sets Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort apart? It remains the first and only certified climate-neutral resort in the Caribbean. In 2020, the United Nations recognized its groundbreaking climate protection efforts. Moreover, it is the only hotel worldwide to achieve a perfect 100% Green Globe Certification—twice.
Through vision, innovation, and relentless commitment, Ewald Biemans has redefined what it means to combine luxury with sustainability. His work serves as a beacon for the future of responsible tourism.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Pictures: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
