An estimated 150 delegates from overseas, along with some local delegates, are expected to attend the forthcoming Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in just over two months’ time in Grand Cayman.
The conference, which takes place from 21 through 24 May at the Westin Casuarina Resort is themed ‘Keeping the Right Balance – Health and Wellness: Communities, Environments and Economies’, and is the 9th annual such conference, known as STC-9.
Minister for Tourism Charles Clifford explained, ‘Through general sessions, workshops and study tours, the conference will stress the importance of developing a tourism product that takes into account the health and wellness of surrounding communities, environments and visitors, as well as continue to contribute to the economic stability of the region’.
The Minister noted the significance of the conference being held here.
‘Sustainable tourism is an attitude, a good business approach, rather than an end point in itself and STC-9 gives us an opportunity to discuss issues which are of real significance to the Cayman Islands.’
Director of Tourism Pilar Bush elaborates, ‘Hosting the conference will allow us to educate the local community on why developing local tourism in a sustainable manner is essential and how this type of planning, development and management approach would benefit us, as well as encourage participation and involvement in sustainable tourism development. We feel that we are moving in the right direction, but realise that sustainable tourism remains a pipe dream without community buy-in.’
She noted that one of the popular misconceptions with sustainable tourism is that it is not economically viable. However, the reverse is true, she states.
‘We can’t afford not to be sustainable if we are taking a long-term view. For example, watersports operators should recognise that without healthy beaches, a healthy ocean and healthy coral reef ecosystems, they wouldn’t have economically healthy businesses.’
STC-9 is organised by CTO in collaboration with the CIDoT and in consultation with the Caribbean Hotel Association.
The Cayman Islands is responsible for organising hotel facilitation, ground transportation, publicity and promotion of the conference at the national level as well as internationally, study tours, post conference tours, cultural and social events, and development of the theme and content of the conference to reflect key issues affecting sustainable tourism development in the Cayman Islands.
Venues and themes for the three social events, including a cultural event on Wednesday, 23 May, have still to be determined, said Ms Bush.
The DoT is responsible for all costs associated with its above responsibilities.
The process of developing a final budget is ongoing and it is hoped to offset some of the costs through international and local private sector sponsorship, she added.
While the Westin is the main conference hotel, Sunshine Suites and the Courtyard Marriott will also host delegates.
Last year, Grand Cayman hosted the largest single conference ever held here, which saw over 1,000 delegates attend – the Florida Caribbean Cruise Conference.
‘STC-9 is a much smaller conference than the FCCA conference, but it is of equal importance as it affects all sub sectors of the tourism industry and draws attention to issues which touch everybody in the Cayman Islands,’ said Ms Bush.
‘Because of its smaller size, DoT is able to organise the conference with internal project teams and help from other government agencies.’
The individual elements are also the same, and so event planning skills learned from FCCA will ensure that this conference is executed flawlessly and shows the Cayman Islands in the best light.
Members of the private sector will also be invited to get involved, either through sponsorship or by attending as a delegate.
At the last STC the CTO selected the Cayman Islands to host the conference for 2007.
Aside from having the general facilities and accessibility to stage such a conference, CTO looks for a destination that is cognisant of the need for sustainable practices to be implemented and is making an effort to address sustainability through its policies, laws and regulations, said Ms Bush.
‘We think 2007 is an excellent time to host this conference because a number of things are converging this year: the review and update of the National Tourism Management Policy, the tabling of the National Conservation Bill, the launch of the Cayman Islands Environmental Project for the Tourism Sector, and growing community-wide willingness to change our individual behaviours and business practices.’
Ms Bush explained, ‘CTO defines a successful conference as one which allows the region in general, and the host country in particular, to clearly identify the key issues in its own search for tourism sustainability, and to commit to putting in place the policies and programmes to achieve positive results.’
STC-9 is co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme.
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