The Eco-Bahia foundation, the environmental arm of Grupo Piñero, has been awarded the Traveling For Happiness 2025 Prize in the category “Preservation of Fauna and Flora.” This award, granted by the Madrid Hotel Business Association (AEHM), highlights the group’s commitment to sea turtle conservation and environmental protection in its tourism destinations.
Since 1999 in Mexico and since 2022 in the Dominican Republic, the Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Program has supported the hatching of more than two million baby turtles from species such as loggerhead, green, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles, establishing itself as an international benchmark in marine conservation.
The award ceremony took place at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid, where the most sustainable initiatives in the tourism sector were recognized. On this occasion, Andrés Rossello, Chief Sustainability Officer of Grupo Piñero, stated:
“This award represents recognition of our commitment to sea turtle conservation for more than two decades. It is an incentive to continue leading biodiversity protection.”
In 2024, the Eco-Bahia foundation protected more than 103,000 sea turtle hatchlings and safeguarded 1,229 nests, as part of a strategy that combines science, environmental education, and collaboration with NGOs and public institutions.
Responsible Tourism with Social and Environmental Impact
Beyond its work with sea turtles, the foundation actively engages in:
• Educational programs for schools and tourists.
• Environmental volunteer activities.
• Community participation to empower local populations.
• Public-private partnerships for effective and lasting conservation.
This award reaffirms the role of the Eco-Bahia foundation as a leader in integrating biodiversity conservation with responsible tourism, demonstrating that tourism development can—and must—be a positive force for the planet.
