Association of Caribbean States: Special Committee on Tourism]

>
> http://www.acs-aec.org/press/acsPR100800_e.htm
>
> ACS PRESS RELEASE
>
> ACS work group drafts agreement to establish the Caribbean as the world's
> first Sustainable Tourism Zone
>
> PORT OF SPAIN, October 10, 2000 -- A meeting of legal experts of the
> Association of Caribbean States' Special Committee on Tourism introduced a
> draft agreement today that calls for the establishment of the Sustainable
> Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean, the first of its kind in the world.
>
> The new agreement would increase efficiencies in processes like rating and
> certifying tourist facilities and destinations. The agreement aims to
> establish a legal framework that specifies the characteristics and minimum
> standards of sustainability within the zone.
>
> The proposal also means the Greater Caribbean would become the world's
> first Sustainable Tourism Zone, using and in some cases, setting
> international standards.
>
> The document would replace the Memorandum of Understanding signed by
> foreign affairs ministers during the ACS' II Summit of Heads of State
> and/or Government in Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Dominican Republic, April
> 1999.
>
> The Sustainable Tourism Zone would adopt a similar structure to those of
> international certification and tour operator programs. It would not only
> make the Greater Caribbean more competitive worldwide, but also raise
> standards throughout the region and set them for the rest of the world.
>
> Ambassadors and envoys from six ACS member states are expected to finalise
> today the draft, ``Agreement for the Establishment of the Sustainable
> Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean." The ACS work group is comprised of
> representatives from Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
> Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
>
> Founded in 1994, the Association of Caribbean States comprises 25 full
> members and three associate members: Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, all
> Central American countries, CARICOM member states, the Dominican Republic,
> Panama, Aruba, France (including French Guiana, Guadalupe and Martinique)
> and the Netherlands Antilles. Its membership represents 71 percent of all
> Latin American and Caribbean countries. Its population of 227 million
> people represent almost half of the region, and its GDP is near $751
> billion, which is approximately 43 percent of the total GDP of Latin
> America and the Caribbean.
>
> For interviews and further information please contact:
>
> Aleem Khan, akhan@acs-aec.org, 1-868-623-2783
>
> = = =
>
> See also:
>
> Association of Caribbean States: Special Committee on Tourism
> http://www.acs-aec.org/Tourism/WebindexE.htm
>
Received on Fri Oct 13 09:45:47 2000