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Tourism, Economic Development And The Environment To Feature In General
Session At Sustainable Tourism Confab
Apr 13, 06 | 8:51 am
Caribbean and international tourism stakeholders will seek to explore ways
to balance the economic benefits of the industry and the environment at the
region's premier sustainable tourism conference in Puerto Rico later this
month.
Tourism, Economic Development and the Environment is the topic of
discussion at the first general session of the 8th Annual Caribbean
Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, also called the Sustainable
Tourism Conference (STC-8), which takes place at the Condado Plaza Hotel in
San Juan, from 25-29 April.
There have been concerns, particularly among environmental groups, that if
tourism is to bring real economic rewards it will be to the detriment of
the environment, said Mareba Scott, the Caribbean Tourism Organization
(CTO)'s sustainable tourism product specialist. She said this general
session will address these concerns and will offer practical suggestions on
how to minimize any impact on the environment.
"The reality is that both tourism and economic development involve the
process of promoting, supporting, initiating and facilitating the creation
of employment opportunities and wealth, and tourism can serve to promote
conservation" Ms. Scott said.
"Land use planning, maintaining biodiversity, the impact of global climate
change are economic development priorities and are inextricably linked to
tourism," she added.
Other sessions during the conference will deal with creating sector
linkages and financing sustainable tourism projects, among others. The
entire first day will be dedicated to disaster management and preparedness,
with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) leading the
discussion in this area of critical concern to the region's tourism industry.
The programme also includes a series of workshops, as well as study tours
to some of Puerto Rico's most exciting sustainable tourism sites.
The 8th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development is
organized by CTO in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
(PTRC), and co-sponsored by American Express and the European Union within
the framework of the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development
programme (CRSTDP).
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
CDERA is regional inter-governmental agency established in September 1991
by an Agreement of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM to be
responsible for disaster management. Its main function is to make an
immediate and coordinated response to any disastrous event affecting any
Participating State, once the state requests such assistance. Other
functions include securing, collating and channeling to interested
governmental and non-governmental organizations, comprehensive and reliable
information on disasters affecting the region; mitigating or eliminating as
far as possible, the consequences of disasters affecting Participating
States; establishing and maintaining on a sustainable basis, adequate
disaster response capabilities among Participating States; and mobilizing
and coordinating disaster relief from governmental and non-governmental
organizations for affected Participating States.
Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme
The CRSTDP is an eight million euro programme to be implemented over a
three year period by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the
Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Pontificia Universidad Catolica
Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) as implementing agencies.
It gives the opportunity to have the main Caribbean tourism public and
private sector organisations (CTO and CHA) work co-operatively and share
responsibilities in programme activities and implementation.
Funded by the European Union, the CRSTDP's objective is to contribute to
making the Caribbean tourism sector more competitive and more sustainable,
contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction and to fostering the
sustainability and competitiveness of the Caribbean tourism sector through
the establishment of a sustainable development policy framework.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is the smallest of the Caribbean Greater Antilles, measuring
100 miles (161 km) long by 35 miles (56.3 km) wide. Also known as the
"Island of Enchantment," it is a vibrant, modern, multicultural society,
molded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences. The island features
historic sites and architecture that compliment a dynamic lifestyle of
lively music, art centers, shopping and culinary delicacies ranging from
traditional to innovative dishes.
The island is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Beaches
surround the island while a central mountain range, with elevations up to
4,398 feet (1,338 meters), runs throughout its center, creating lush
vegetation in the north and arid climate in the south. Puerto Rico is also
comprised of four off the coast islands and numerous cays. The country's
unique geography allows for a variety of opportunities, no matter your
interest: Nature walks in tropical and dry forests, visits to cave systems,
bird-watching, hiking, mountain climbing, diving and snorkeling, swimming
in bioluminescent bays, surfing, kayaking, and great diversity for
invigorating experiences.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and
marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean's
tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 member
governments and a myriad of private sector entities.
The CTO's mission is to provide to and through its members, the services
and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the
economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people.
The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to
member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development,
research and statistics, information technology and sustainable tourism
development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member
governments to consumers and the travel trade.
CTO's New York office is located at 80 Broad Street, 32nd Floor, New York,
NY 10004, USA; Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail:
ctony@caribtourism.com CTO's London office is located at 22 The Quadrant,
Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44
208 948 0067; E-mail: ctolondon@caribtourism.com; CTO Canada is located at
130 Bloor Street West, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1N5, Canada. Tel:
(416) 935 0767; Fax: (416) 935 0939. E-mail ctotoronto@caribtourism.com CTO
Headquarters is located at One Financial Place, Collymore Rock, St.
Michael, Barbados; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail:
ctobarbados@caribtourism.com For more information, please visit
www.doitcaribbean.com or www.onecaribbean.org
SOURCE Travel Video
http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=8529_0_1_0_M
Received on Mon Apr 17 14:53:29 2006
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