The Cayman Islands is embracing a new form of sustainable eco-tourism, a segment of worldwide tourism that is growing rapidly.
The sort of eco-tourism the Cayman Islands can offer visitors includes nature trails, bird watching, beaches, diving, snorkelling, Botanic Park, caves, and the Bluff.
These attractions can be developed further by working to make some of them environmentally certified. This would involve the implementation of international guidelines and procedures, for example, Green Globe Certification, said Director of Tourism Pilar Bush.
Already eco-tourism is very much alive in the Sister Islands, more so than in Grand Cayman, although, Grand Cayman does offer a variety of natural attractions, she said.
‘With a large increase in the arrival of responsible tourists, the DoT has taken a stronger role in working with industry partners to increase environmental awareness. We are seeing many more businesses including eco-tours in to their packages.
‘Eco-tourism is about protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. Visitors are offered an authentic and meaningful experience, which proves to be inspiring and rewarding,’ explained Ms. Bush.
‘We need to differentiate ourselves. We really, really do and take a greater opportunity to promote eco-tourism,’ said Director of Tourism Pilar Bush.
Ms Bush said it is important that any destination manages itself in a sustainable manner, but it is especially important in Cayman with a primarily marine based ecology and the vulnerability that goes with that.
Ms Bush said that it boils down to managing assets for future generations through raising levels of sustainability in natural resources.
It is important to capitalise on the growth of sustainable tourism, says Ms Bush.
She explained that in the Caribbean only three per cent of hotel rooms have international environmental certifications. This leaves a large area for improvement.
‘In the Cayman Islands we are working towards implementing Green Globe Certifications for some of our attractions and accommodations. Through obtaining this internationally recognized certification there are many awards to be won and it allows the destination to differentiate itself. We would also like to work towards making Little Cayman a Green Globe Certified Destination.’
Seven properties and four attractions within the tourism sector in the Cayman Islands are going for Green Globe Certification, something Ms Bush says, is very encouraging.
The participants are: from Cayman Brac – Nature Trail site, Brac Reef Beach Resort; Little Cayman – Nature Trail, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Southern Cross Club, Pirates Point; Grand Cayman – Compass Point, Cobalt Coast Resort, Sunshine Suites, Pedro St. James Castle, Turtle Farm/Boatswain’s Beach, Botanic Park.
Ms Bush praised the project participants.
‘The people who have stepped up for this are small operations which means they will have more work to do and they are willing to take on the work,’ she said.
A 2004 survey by the society of U.S. travellers found that 38 per cent would be willing to pay a premium to patronize travel companies that use sustainable environmental practices. Eco-tourism and nature tourism are growing up to three times faster than the tourism industry in general, according to the World Tourism Organization. These facts were stated recently in a New York Times article.
High end eco-tourism today is as much about enjoying gourmet food along a quiet beach as it is about snorkelling with fish or hiking up a mountain. The diversification of the Cayman Islands’ product through adventure tourism that has sensitivity to sustainable tourism is all part of the plan.
Ms Bush explained that the people looking for nature based tourism support environmental responsibility and they are willing to pay for it. High standards are expected and clients are happy for pay for this, she said.
The pilot programme for Green Globe Certification in Cayman will start with an environmental audit of the 11 participants to understand how they operate and then give them a set of recommended practices.
Some ways in which properties can change their practices includes using lower flow showerheads, re-using grey water for landscaping and not using harsh chemicals.
A group of staff from DoT will be trained to assess the progress. Certain standards will have to be met within a year of starting.
The consultants had already visited to do the audit in August before Hurricane Ivan struck in September, and will now need to re-visit to start the project again.
In a new push to embrace sustainable tourism and eco-tourism a team from DoT along with representatives from the National Trust and Sister Islands District Administration attended the Seventh Annual Tourism Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in Tobago last month.
‘It was made very clear at the conference that in order for this to be achieved, the private and public sectors must work together to establish sustainable development practices. Community involvement and the need to promote awareness, also plays a large role in the success of eco-tourism.’
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