The real estate project was selected as “One to Watch” at the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards 2026
SANTO DOMINGO.– The Tropicalia tourism and real estate project, being developed in Miches, was selected as “One to Watch” in the Regenerative Tourism category of the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide 2026.
The initiative reported that the selection was made by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), an entity that evaluates projects related to responsible tourism practices.
The facilities are scheduled to open in 2027. However, the organization indicated that social and environmental actions related to the project began in 2008, before the complex became operational.
Social programs in Miches
He also noted that part of his work in the municipality is carried out through Fundación Tropicalia, an organization that promotes programs in the areas of education, environmental protection and economic inclusion.
According to the organization, these initiatives benefit approximately 2,000 people in the community each year.
Among the programs is “I am a girl, I am important,” created in 2013, which has supported more than 1,500 girls. The organization also reported that its scholarship program has supported the academic training of 49 local students.
Environmental conservation measures
Regarding environmental matters, Tropicalia indicated that conservation measures were incorporated from the early stages of project planning.
Before intervening on the land, 3,146 trees considered to be of biological interest were transplanted, while later a nursery of 15,000 square meters was set up, with capacity for some 300,000 native plants.
According to the information provided, the plants will be used in the recovery of ecological corridors.
The organization also explained that, within the area corresponding to the Four Seasons Tropicalia project, 67% of the land is designated for the conservation of wetlands and aquifers, while the buildings will occupy 7% of the surface.
The design also includes a coastal setback of 60 meters and floor elevations of 2.7 meters above sea level.
Waste management
Regarding waste management, the project reported that during 2025 it achieved a diversion rate of 93% of the waste generated during construction.
The organization explained that it also implemented a policy to eliminate the use of expanded polystyrene in food services intended for staff.
According to him, this measure prevented the use of more than one million disposable containers.
Tropicalia and the tourism development of Miches
The project is part of the growth process of tourism activity in Miches, a municipality that in recent years has concentrated new hotel and real estate investments.
Tropicalia is planning to operate a hotel under the Four Seasons brand, with its opening scheduled for 2027.
Referring to the recognition, William Phelan, president of Tropicalia, stated that the initiative began working on aspects related to the community and the environment before the opening of the complex.
“At Tropicalia we understood that the resilience of a tourism project depends on the health of its community and its environment,” Phelan said.
The executive added that in recent years the organization has allocated resources to programs in education, conservation, local development and capacity building.
International recognition
The selection as “One to Watch” corresponds to a category of the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide 2026 dedicated to regenerative tourism.
The ICRT explained that this category includes initiatives that seek to go beyond reducing the negative impacts of tourism, through actions aimed at the recovery of natural environments and the strengthening of opportunities for local communities.
In the case of Tropicalia, the selection takes place before the opening of the project and takes into consideration the actions developed in Miches since 2008, according to information provided by the organization.
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