Experts discuss coastal environmental challenges at annual meeting
By Antigua Sun
Tue, 25 Mar 2008, 14:28
Source: http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=125606087603252008&an=463910087603252008&ac=Local
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 29 April at the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development.
The conference, organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), will be held from 28 April to 1 May 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.
On the panel will be 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) will utilise 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. Another panelist, Elaine Heldewier, environmental director for Carnival Cruise Lines, played a key role in the development of the industry’s first US Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for environmental performance (Florida and Hawaii). She will examine sustainable management of cruise tourism.
Jeremy Collymore, chief executive officer and co-ordinator for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) will utilise 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,” Vanderpool-Wallace said. “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