Sustainable Tourism in the Caribbean
January 4, 2012
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Often called the backbone of the Caribbean, tourism creates jobs and brings investment to the islands, which is why many Caribbean nations compete for that precious tourism revenue by promoting themselves as the best vacation spots, the |
perfect location for destination weddings, and ideal cruise ship outings.
However, there is a downside to tourism. For example, recent statistics indicate that cruise ships in the Caribbean produce an estimated 70,000 tons of waste every year. Plus, cruise ship tourists tend to spend quite a bit less money than those vacationers who actually stay on the island. For those reasons, some Caribbean islands like Anguilla have opted to avoid the cruise ship business, even though cruise ship vacations make up the largest portion of the Caribbean’s tourism industry.
Sustainable Tourism Conference
To have Sustainable Tourism in the Caribbean, there needs to be a happy balance of profitable tourism, environmentally responsible use of natural resources and the use of local labor and sale of local merchants’ goods. That’s why The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) holds a conference every year called the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC). This year’s 13th annual STC will be April 15-18 in Guyana.
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The CTO looks at how member states can integrate sustainable tourism policies and programs, all the while providing a platform for an exchange of ideas on the good, the bad and the ugly of tourism. Also, STC brings in elite presenters to address ways to |
encourage tourism sustainability. For example, one issue that is usually addressed is the friction that can develop between locals and foreign investors when the foreigners manage tourist developments.
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Sustainable tourism prefers that the tourism industry is managed by locals since the local people understand the importance of their natural resources and are always better at employing other locals to serve as tour guides, as well as selling local artisans’ |
crafts and handiworks in resort shops. Unfortunately, when foreigners manage tourist developments, the majority of the money made is taken from the local community and given to the investors.
Education is Key
To make sustainable tourism a reality in the Caribbean, education of the local businessmen and women is key. As the locals learn about making the most of their businesses and trades while conserving their natural resources, the locals also discover the benefit of teaching the tourists about their culture and customs.
Bottom line, for sustainable tourism to work in the Caribbean or anywhere, there has to be a reinvestment of tourism profits into the environment and education. |
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