CARIBBEAN GETTING GREENER – “CLIMATE FRIENDLY” LABEL ON CARDS
Saturday, 06 Dec, 2009
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Lelei LeLaulu
A landmark announcement on declaring certain Caribbean destinations "climate friendly" was made at the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) meeting in Saint Lucia.
"We will show how European and other travelers from wealthier countries can actually emit less carbon – including the flight – in the Caribbean than if they stayed at home," asserted CMEx director Lelei LeLaulu.
"Our partners have developed an ironclad system which rates the extent to which suppliers are respecting the natural environment. We will quantitatively and qualitatively prove just how green the responsible Caribbean tourism sector is," he declared.
Taking aim at the British Government’s punishing Airline Passenger Departure tax which is "brutalizing the small economies of poorer countries where tourism is the main earner – at the worst possible time – a global recession," LeLaulu voiced his intention to "publicize these results to world travelers, especially those who vote for the politicians concocting these opportunistic tax measures."
"We have to continue fighting this reprehensible, protectionist tax on travelers," opined LeLaulu, who worried "the taxes will batter tropical travel and tourism – as badly as any hurricane – hurting millions of working class families that depend on tourism to send their children to school and put food on their tables."
"Given the state of the global economy, this tax is probably one of worst penalties to hit the developing world in recent memory. Small island states have the least to do with climate changing emissions, yet suffer the most from its excesses such as sea-level rise and warming – and now a tax which lines Treasury coffers on the back of hard-working people in the Caribbean and the Pacific," lamented LeLaulu.
The Media Exchange is partnering with international development organizations and Caribbean tourism stakeholders to implement a program that uses a sustainability index to declare "climate friendly" hotels, tourist attractions and the destinations of the region.
"By identifying ‘climate friendly’ destinations, as well as resorts, restaurants and other facilities within a destination, millions of travelers will start to choose the planet’s climate-friendly destinations, the majority of which lie in the Caribbean and Pacific," forecast LeLaulu.
Strategic Partnership Signed
In a separate development, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has signed a Strategic Partnership agreement with the Green Globe Certification to work with and support the Caribbean hospitality industry. The agreement designates Green Globe Certification as both a Strategic Partner of CHTA and a member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Governing Council.
“We are pleased to add Green Globe Certification to our elite group of supporters of the Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Alec Sanguinetti, Director General and CEO of CHTA, adding:
“The synergies between Green Globe Certification and our own CAST will bring enhanced awareness and benefits to our entire membership. They and our other Strategic Partners recognize the importance of tourism and the hospitality sector, and our impact on the economy of the region.”
Sir Royston Hopkin, CAST Chairman said: “We are pleased to have Green Globe Certification as a Strategic Partner of CHTA and a member of our CAST Governing Council. Their expertise will broaden our view of sustainable tourism and bring multiple benefits to our members. I look forward to working closely with them from this point forward.”
Guido Bauer, CEO of the California based Green Globe Certification said: “Since Green Globe’s inception in 1994, the Caribbean has had more Green Globe certified properties than any other region in the world. After many years supporting sustainable tourism in the Caribbean we are honored to take on such an important and prestigious role as a CHTA Strategic Partner and a member of the CAST Governing Council.”
Green Globe Certification will assist CHTA members in learning about and meeting the requirements for its certification program. To support its activities Green Globe Certification will utilize its representatives in St Vincent, Grand Cayman, Dominican Republic, Anguilla, Jamaica and Miami.
Valere Tjolle
Valere
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