RCI, the world’s premier vacation exchange company under the Panorama portfolio of leading travel membership brands, announced today the winners of the ninth annual RCI^® Green Awards program.

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RCI announced the winners of the RCI Green Awards. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort’s The Cliff Lodge was awarded the Gold RCI Green Award. Photo by Matt Crawley.

The RCI Green Awards spotlight three resorts within the company's exchange network that are committed to sustainable practices in their resort operations. Third-party eco-certification expert GreenCircle Certified, LLC selected winners based on their innovations in energy and water conservation, waste management, community outreach and environmental management.

"At RCI, we place a high value on protecting the environment and communities in which we live and operate – and we encourage our affiliates to do the same,” said Richard Ruff, senior vice president and managing director of RCI North America. “The RCI Green Awards program celebrates resorts that are leading the charge in eco-friendly operations. By investing in sustainable best practices, our affiliates are not only doing what is socially responsible, they’re also setting their properties up with opportunities to reduce energy consumption and increase savings.”

The highest honor in the RCI Green program, the Platinum RCI Green Award, was awarded to The Cliffs at Princeville in Kauai, Hawaii, for its progressive, comprehensive sustainability program and designated sustainability committee, which meets quarterly. The resort uses green cleaning products and solar power for all nine residential buildings, and detailed recycling instructions can be found each unit. Organic bug spray and sunscreen is sold in the resort’s store, and locally grown coffee is served in all guest units.

The Gold RCI Green Award went to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Snowbird, Utah, for its “Play Forever” corporate responsibility commitment to help combat climate change and preserve the area’s cold, white winters. The resort tracks energy usage and performance, and conducts resort-wide vegetation programs by planting approximately 2,000 native species seedlings every summer. Additionally, the resort has electric vehicle charging available and a program to encourage guests to take alternative transportation instead of their personal cars.

The Silver RCI Green Award recognized WorldMark Indio in Palm Springs, Calif., which has made tremendous strides to reduce water and energy consumption resort-wide. The resort uses a variety of innovative, eco-friendly solutions including a smart irrigation system, solar panels and motion-activated lighting in storage rooms.

The RCI Green Award program is free and open to all RCI affiliates in North America. RCI also offers a Green Resource Center on its affiliate website for developers looking to expand their sustainability efforts. The application process for next year's RCI Green Awards program will begin in October.

About RCI

RCI is the new shape of travel™. As the worldwide leader in membership travel services to the vacation ownership industry, the company offers the industry’s leading vacation exchange platform to its 3.7 million members around the world, providing access to more than 4,200 affiliated resorts in approximately 110 countries. RCI Travel offers enhanced travel services allowing its members to flexibly travel year round. RCI is a part of the Panorama family of travel brands at Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE: TNL). For additional information visit rci.com. RCI also can be found on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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