By Tanja Lieuw
Yearly on September 27, we rejoice World Tourism Day. This big day has been noticed since 1980 and commemorates the adoption of the Statutes of the Group in 1970, which paved the best way for the institution of the United Nations World Tourism Group (UNWTO). This yr, the theme is “tourism and inexperienced investments.” On the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), we’re obsessed with actions and initiatives which have a inexperienced focus—making certain that the pure great thing about the Caribbean will be preserved for generations to come back. Not too long ago, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Caribbean Resort and Tourism Affiliation (CHTA) and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) aimed toward collectively selling the conservation, safety and administration of biodiversity and pure assets within the Caribbean.
Why is that this so essential? Properly, not solely is it important for the setting, nevertheless it’s additionally essential for the Caribbean’s financial system. Many Caribbean nations rely closely on tourism, with the journey and tourism sector contributing over 39 billion U.S. {dollars} to the area’s GDP in 2021. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic taught us a worthwhile lesson in regards to the vulnerability of this sector. In 2020, the Caribbean misplaced a good portion of its GDP because of the pandemic’s influence, primarily as a result of tourism, which makes up 14 p.c of the GDP, plummeted by two-thirds.
As a lifeline for a lot of Caribbean international locations, tourism is just not solely pivotal to their economies but in addition helps employment, meals manufacturing, and leisure alternatives. In actual fact, tourism accounts for a considerable share of many Caribbean economies, starting from 7 p.c to a staggering 90 p.c of GDP in sure international locations. It additionally supplies direct employment for almost 12 p.c of the inhabitants and not directly helps one other 20 p.c. Fortuitously, we’re witnessing constructive traits in tourism’s restoration, with some Caribbean nations even surpassing their 2019 data. By the tip of 2022, vacationer visits to the Caribbean had elevated by a outstanding 50% in comparison with 2021 figures.
So, what makes the Caribbean such a magnet for vacationers? It’s a paradise recognized for its tropical local weather, white sandy seashores, and crystal-clear waters. Whether or not you’re swimming with sea turtles in Barbados or marveling on the majestic Pitons in St. Lucia or lounging on the pristine seashores of Punta Cana, the Caribbean provides a plethora of experiences for each traveler. Vacationers are additionally drawn to the area’s cultural and historic websites, native cuisines, and, after all, the rum!
What actually units the Caribbean aside although is its extraordinary biodiversity, together with mangroves, iguanas, sea turtles, varied chicken species, beautiful seashores, and majestic mountain peaks. This wealthy biodiversity is the beating coronary heart of our tourism sector, attracting guests yr after yr. However to make sure that vacationers proceed to flock to our shores, we should defend this pure heritage.
A wholesome setting not solely lures vacationers but in addition serves as an important useful resource for meals manufacturing and acts as a pure barrier in opposition to waves, winds, and rain. Roughly 350 million folks journey to our coral reefs every year, producing $9.5 billion in annual vacationer expenditure within the Caribbean. Moreover, as much as 100 million Caribbean residents profit from coral reefs, with 41 million relying on them for his or her meals and livelihoods. Our fish species depend on coral reef ecosystems for meals, shelter, nurseries, and breeding grounds.
The tourism trade and its companions acknowledge the significance of preserving biodiversity to keep up vacationer numbers. A number of initiatives supported by the CBF exemplify this dedication:
Fundación Grupo Puntacana, Dominican Republic: With 5 million vacationers visiting in 2021, Punta Cana is likely one of the hottest locations within the area. By way of a CBF grant, Fundación Punta Cana has taken important steps to guard the setting.
Serenity Dive and Dive Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Native diving operators have obtained funding to determine coral nurseries and restore native coral reefs, utilizing varied coral species like elkhorn corals.
St. Lucia Divers Affiliation-Anbaglo, St. Lucia: Supported by the St. Lucia Nationwide Conservation Basis, this affiliation is creating new dive and snorkel websites, establishing synthetic reefs, and coaching kids in scuba diving and coral restoration expertise.
Grenada Sustainable Improvement Belief Fund, Grenada: This fund helps infrastructure upgrades for eco-tourism actions in Dragon Bay Protected Space and Morne Gazo Nature Reserve.
Alloa Fisherman’s Co-operative Society Restricted (Alloa), Jamaica: Alloa obtained funding from the Nationwide Conservation Belief Fund to develop sustainable tourism throughout the Discovery Bay Marine Protected Space.
These tasks illustrate that the private and non-private sectors, even on the native stage, are taking important steps towards supporting sustainable tourism. Making certain a sustainable tourism sector is a collective effort of all stakeholders concerned.
However what are you able to, as a person vacationer, do to contribute to sustainable tourism and defend the Caribbean setting? Listed below are some ideas:
Select licensed lodging: Search for resorts and reserving choices that prioritize sustainability. The Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards will help you determine eco-conscious locations.
Offset your carbon emissions: Flying is a significant supply of carbon emissions throughout holidays. Think about carbon offset packages provided by airways to mitigate your influence. As an illustration, Wayaj Inc and the St. Lucia Nationwide Conservation Belief Fund have partnered on a Carbon Offset Challenge.
Assist moral wildlife tourism: Be aware of encounters with wild animals marketed as vacationer points of interest. Be sure that such interactions are performed ethically, with out hurt to the animals.
Search out Inexperienced Fins licensed dive operators: For those who’re into underwater tourism, select operators licensed by Inexperienced Fins, which promotes accountable practices to guard coral reefs.
Eat native: Get pleasure from domestically sourced produce, which not solely helps native economies but in addition reduces the carbon footprint related to imported meals.
Use eco-friendly sunblock and bug repellent: These merchandise can hurt coral reefs, so go for environmentally pleasant alternate options.
Keep away from souvenirs sourced from wild animals or crops: Respect the setting by refraining from shopping for merchandise produced from endangered species or pure assets.
Cut back single-use plastics: Deliver your reusable water bottle, keep away from littering and decrease your use of single-use plastics throughout your journey.
Your particular person actions matter and contribute to a extra sustainable Caribbean tourism trade. Let’s work collectively to guard this stunning area for future generations to get pleasure from.
References
- Caribbean Tourism Group. (n.d.). Sustainable Tourism Division – Awards & Competitors Winners. Retrieved from https://www.onecaribbean.org/our-work/sustainable-tourism-dept/awards-competition-winners/
- Little Misplaced Journey. (n.d.). How one can Choose the Final Moral Journey Exercise. Retrieved from https://littlelosttravel.com/how-to-pick-the-ultimate-ethical-travel-activity/
- Healthline. (n.d.). Why Eat Native Meals? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-eat-local-food
- Inexperienced Fins. (n.d.). Discover a Inexperienced Fins Licensed Dive Operator. Retrieved from https://greenfins.net/
- My Animals. (n.d.). Is It Flawed to Take Shells from the Seashore? Retrieved from https://myanimals.com/latest-news/is-it-wrong-to-take-shells-from-the-beach/
- Ecotourism World. (n.d.). Sustainable Journey: Take Solely Pictures, Depart Solely Footprints. Retrieved from https://ecotourism-world.com/sustainable-travel-take-only-photos-leave-only-footprints/
