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Challenges
For The Caribbean Coastal Tourism Environment To Be
Addressed At Annual Sustainable Tourism Development
Conference
Date Posted: March 26, 2008.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Some of the world’s foremost
authorities on conservation and sustainability will examine
the challenges faced by the Caribbean’s coastal tourism
environment during a special panel to be convened on April
29 at the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable
Tourism Development.
The conference, organized by the Caribbean Tourism
Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos
Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA),
will be held from April 28 to May 1, 2008 at Beaches Turks &
Caicos Resort & Spa.
The panel, to be moderated by Secretary General and Chief
Executive Officer of the CTO, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace,
will focus on the risks coastal communities will face
including: increased natural disasters; climate change;
affects on the economy and the need for coral reef
protection and preservation. The goal is to provide
recommendations and conclusions on how the region can
implement sustainable tourism policies for the economic and
social benefit of the Caribbean people.
Panelists include:
Dr. Murray Simpson, Senior Research Associate, Oxford
University Centre for the Environment and Principal,
Sustainable Solutions Worldwide – Dr. Simpson will offer an
overview of the implications for Caribbean coastal tourism
destinations of global environmental change, the resilience
of these destinations in the face of a wide range of
impacts, and the possible implications of climate policy in
the Caribbean’s source markets.
Rick MacPherson, Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) – Mr.
MacPherson will utilize his 23 years of field experience in
coral reef ecology and site-based marine science and
conservation to illustrate the interconnected ecology and
economy of healthy coral reefs. He will use case studies to
show the vital components and diverse stakeholders needed
for effective reef protection and management.
Elaine Heldewier, Environmental Director for Carnival Cruise
Lines – Ms. Heldewier brings more than 24 years of
experience in environmental management and the maritime
industry. As someone who played a key role in the
development of the industry’s first U.S. Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) for environmental performance (Florida
and Hawaii), she will examine sustainable management of
cruise tourism.
Jeremy Collymore, Chief Executive Officer and Coordinator
for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)
– Mr. Collymore will utilize more than 20 years experience
in disaster management research, practice, policy
formulation and teaching to offer a reflection on the
methods of enquiry and intervention needed for community
participation and empowerment in vulnerability reduction.
Designed to provide information on the development and
implementation of responsible tourism, the Caribbean
Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development will be
attended by the media, travel agents and key members of the
Caribbean tourism industry. Many experts have identified the
Caribbean as a region that will be greatly impacted by the
continued adverse effects of global warming and other
environmental issues.
“This panel represents an incredibly diverse and dynamic
group of experts,” said Vanderpool-Wallace. “As a region we
are tapping into the finest international minds to help us
ensure that the Caribbean can meet the rapidly evolving
challenges to the environment that impact not only our
destination, but the entire world.”
For more information or to register for the conference,
visit,
www.OneCaribbean.org.
