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Tropicalia

Tropicalia

Tropicalia, a tourism real estate development by Cisneros Real Estate, offers sophisticated architecture set against the unparalleled natural beauty of Miches in northeastern Dominican Republic. Comprising residential developments and a hotel, it seamlessly integrates intelligent design with the natural landscape, creating a perfect harmony between time and place. The Project reflects the cultural and philanthropic values of the Cisneros family and is poised to set the standard for sustainable luxury tourism in the Caribbean and beyond.

Four Seasons Tropicalia

Four Seasons Dominican Republic at Tropicalia, our luxury, sustainable tourism project, is currently under development on Playa Esmeralda. This beachfront resort features 95 guest rooms and 25 private residences, designed by renowned architect Isay Weinfeld. Our guests will enjoy world-class amenities such as specialty restaurants, a spa, meeting spaces, a kids and teens club, and a fitness center.

Management and Governance Mechanisms

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The ESMS includes plans, policies, and procedures that define key performance indicators and guide the project's environmental and social performance. It monitors critical aspects such as stakeholder engagement, environmental management, occupational health and safety, contractor management, supply chain oversight, and grievance mechanisms.

The ESMS covers the hotel complex, Tropicalia’s development, and, in some cases, Fundación Tropicalia. The system’s documents undergo periodic review, contributing to the ongoing assessment of materiality at Tropicalia.

Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)

Tropicalia employs its ESMS to guide, monitor, and measure the performance of both the project and its suppliers during the construction and operational phases. The ESMS covers critical areas such as environment, safety and health, sustainable destination management, stakeholder engagement, community development, biodiversity, and other key areas.

LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Our corporate policy promotes respect for human rights across all operations and throughout our value chain. We are committed to protecting fundamental and labor rights while fostering a healthy and safe work environment. Our policies prevent child labor, advocate for gender equality, ensure equitable opportunities, and uphold freedom of association.

Women represent 37% of Tropicalia's workforce, with all employees compensated based on experience and role. We also hire and train local residents, 58% of whom are from the Miches community, supported by community development programs from Fundacion Tropicalia.

In 2023, we launched our Code of Conduct and Internal Work Regulations, aligning with local labor laws and ILO conventions to set standards for recruitment, equal opportunities, and complaint resolution.

For the Four Seasons Tropicalia project, we implemented a Safety and Health Plan for both construction and operations, ensuring compliance with local regulations and active contractor participation. We expect to create 2,000 local jobs during construction.

Additionally, we assess contractors and suppliers to mitigate environmental and social risks and monitor project access to uphold labor standards, including the prohibition of child labor.

Labor and Human Rights

In 2010, Tropicalia committed to the United Nations Global Compact Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. Our corporate policies promote respect for human rights across our operations and value chain, focusing on gender equality, equal employment opportunities, and freedom of association. We are dedicated to safeguarding fundamental human and labor rights, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, and preventing child labor.

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee of Tropicalia is the highest governance body, overseeing decisions related to the design, development, construction, and financing of the Project. Additionally, Tropicalia has a Sustainability Committee, which serves as the primary governing body for environmental and social issues, reporting to the Executive Committee on high-level strategy.

Environmental, social, and health and safety matters in daily operations are coordinated by Tropicalia's Sustainability Department, which delegates the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) to the construction, design, and operations teams.

The Sustainability Committee is an interdisciplinary team that convenes annually to discuss strategy, report on progress, and set objectives for the upcoming year. This committee is dedicated to reviewing the environmental and social issues that affect both the business and the sector.

The diversity of its members enhances this corporate governance structure, which includes senior executives from Cisneros and external advisors who are brought in as needed based on specific topics or areas of expertise.

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee is an interdisciplinary team that convenes annually to review strategy, assess progress, and set objectives for the upcoming year. As the highest governance body for environmental and social issues, it plays a critical role in overseeing material sustainability matters. The committee also serves as a platform for educating and updating the Executive Committee on sustainable business trends and innovations at Tropicalia. Its diverse membership, comprising senior Cisneros executives and external advisors, strengthens the corporate governance structure. Members are selected based on the specific topics or areas of need being addressed.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN

We conduct ongoing mapping of individuals and institutions involved with or impacted by Tropicalia, engaging with them according to development stages and participation strategies. From this identification, we have developed a Key Stakeholder Engagement Plan that outlines our commitment to involving and consulting with affected communities and institutions.

In 2023, we held a crisis management workshop with executives from BCRD, Tropicalia, and the Tropicalia Foundation, resulting in a crisis management protocol and designated responsibilities. Our stakeholders include government entities, the community, workers, business partners, NGOs, investors, and the supply chain.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Tropicalia fosters trust-based relationships with our stakeholders through constant, transparent, and timely communication, facilitating the smooth exchange of information regarding the impact of our operations.

Download our Management and Governance Mechanisms

KEY COMMITMENTS TO SUSTAINABILITY

SOUND BUSINESS

IDB Invest approved financing for the Four Seasons Tropicalia project, confirming that our model meets and exceeds environmental, social, and economic standards. In 2023, loan agreements totaling $134.6 million were signed for the construction and operation of the project.

In addition to IDB Invest's contribution of $49 million, several local, regional, and international banks—such as Banco Popular, Banco López de Haro, Banco BDI, CIFI, and DEG—have joined with a combined investment of $85.6 million. This financing reinforces our commitment to sustainable tourism in the Dominican Republic and promotes socioeconomic inclusion in the region.

IDB Invest, part of the Inter-American Development Bank, supports our commitment to promoting sustainable tourism in the Dominican Republic and fostering socioeconomic inclusion in the region.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

We are committed to achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, ensuring environmentally responsible design and construction. The Four Seasons Tropicalia features tropical modernist architecture that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, incorporating natural elements and drawing inspiration from Santo Domingo’s colonial heritage.

The development includes a 95-room hotel, 25 branded residences, and facilities such as a spa, pools, gym, restaurants, and event spaces, all unified by an organic roof design. Supporting infrastructure encompasses a wastewater treatment plant, solid waste management, and backup power generation.

Our design prioritizes family life, work, and recreation, emphasizing multigenerational space use, reliable connectivity, and access to essential services and medical care. We conducted studies on storm surge patterns, adhering to a 60-meter setback mandated by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of the Environment.

In 2023, the design team focused on finalizing executive plans, achieving 64% completion of construction documents and securing necessary permits. All plans were validated to ensure compliance with LEED certification requirements.

Tropicalia collaborates with its design and brand partners to enhance redesign efforts, consistently prioritizing the sustainable components of the project.

ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE

Support for PROMICHES in 2023:

  • We contributed financial and human resources to strengthen leadership and sustainable management of the destination.
  • We serve as the Vice President on the Board of PROMICHES.
  • We are active members of the Interinstitutional Relations Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Positioning Committee.
  • We collaborated at Fitur 2023 in Madrid.

Sea Turtle Protection (Protortuga):

  • We support the Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Program in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and other coastal marine conservation stakeholders.
  • We are members of the Board and part of the Mama Tinglar category of the Guardians of the Sea.

Environmental Management:

  • We developed an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) and an Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), with licenses and permits approved and renewed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
  • We implemented an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) aligned with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards to ensure compliance with environmental and social standards, manage risks, and promote continuous improvement.
  • Key indicators of the ESMS are organized into nine material categories.

Tropicalia is dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural environment, supported by its biodiversity and environmental management plans, as well as its participation in PROMICHES to guide the sustainable development and management of its property and the destination.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

In 2023, Fundación Tropicalia:

  • Impacted 1,560 individuals through five programs, 61.7% of whom were women and girls.
    Partnered with GIZ, PROMICHES, and the Municipality of Miches to offer environmental education and recycling workshops at the SNSI Girls' Club.
  • Co-hosted the second fundraising cocktail event with Grupo Bentrani to raise awareness about the challenges facing Dominican women and girls.
  • Was featured by Factor de Éxito magazine, highlighting SNSI as the charitable cause for the 2023 World Corporate Golf Challenge.
  • Received recognition from the New York Senate for the tenth anniversary of SNSI.
  • Benefited 2,167 students, 126 teachers, and 16 educational institutions through our hurricane recovery education fund.

Tropicalia's commitment to community development is channeled through its participation in PROMICHES, supporting public-private initiatives to establish the necessary infrastructure for responsible destination development. Additionally, Fundacion Tropicalia promotes human development in Miches, focusing on education, gender equity, economic participation, cultural identity, and environmental awareness.

Download our Key Commitments to Sustainability

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Tropicalia Sustainability Report 2023 © All rights reserved Tropicalia República Dominicana