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Spanish
PLEASE VISIT THE
CAST WEBSITE AT:
http://www.cha-cast.com
To see the July
2005 Issues of the BroadCAST, please click
HERE
Director's Cut
The July
2005 edition of the BroadCAST
focused on the super active 2005
hurricane season and its outlook
which estimated 13 named storms, 7
hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center
in Miami updated this outlook in
August 2005 to 18-21 named storms,
9-11 hurricanes and 5-7 major
hurricanes (i.e. Category 3 or
higher). We have seen thus far, 21
named storms, 11 of which were
hurricanes, with 5 major hurricanes
i.e. Category 3 and higher, making
this the second most active
hurricane season on record! The
Caribbean and the southern U.S.
states will particularly remember
hurricanes Dennis, Emily, Katrina
and especially Rita. There can be
no other option but for all
Caribbean islands – regardless of
location – to activate their
emergency preparedness plans. To do
otherwise is foolhardy indeed!
This
quarter’s edition of the BroadCAST
provides an update on the Quality
Tourism for the Caribbean (QTC)
program, jointly developed by CAST
and the Caribbean Epidemiology
Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad. This
collaboration will provide for the
Caribbean tourism industry a
comprehensive health, safety and
environment, standards and
certification program. We present
below a first installment describing
this joint QTC undertaking. The
final installment on QTC will be
carried in the January 2006 edition
of the BroadCAST. Send us your
feedback!
Cheers,
Deirdre P. Shurland
A
Vision of the Caribbean as “..the safest
and healthiest of comparable
destinations in the world!”
This feature article
focuses the
Quality Tourism for the Caribbean (QTC)
vision and program objectives. Send all
comments or questions to
cast@cha-cast.com
Since the year 2000, the Caribbean
has witnessed large, costly and
preventable disease outbreaks at
many Caribbean hotels and
restaurants. Added to these, are
the conclusions of numerous reports
that the Caribbean natural resource
base, and especially coral reefs,
are deteriorating at increasingly
rapid rates from accelerated human
activities. Cumulatively, these are
rendering the Caribbean’s critical
lifeline services as increasingly
vulnerable to natural disasters.
These health and environment issues
also pose threats to regional
security. Cumulatively,
uncontrolled disease outbreaks and
declining natural resource quality
are proving detrimental to the
overall visitor experience with dire
consequences for the tourism
economy. The perception of the
Caribbean as a “safe” destination,
relatively remote from world
terrorism events is perhaps what has
contributed to the “best ever”
tourism results for all territories
in the region during 2004 and
continuing through the winter of
2005. However, as many destinations
struggle with increasing crime
levels, most experts agree that this
perception can be shattered by just
one upset event. Recent events in
Aruba related to the murder of a
single visitor from its major source
market attest to the fragility of a
destination’s image and reputation.
CAST and CAREC believe that the
cumulative impact of health and
environment issues (e.g. disease
outbreaks, resource degradation,
deteriorating visitor experiences)
can largely be prevented through
industry-wide adoption of
standards-based, quality improvement
approaches. Although both the
regional public and private sectors
have separate track records in
standards development and use, a
more holistic and focused approach
is required for the regional tourism
economy.
The Quality Tourism for the
Caribbean (QTC) program jointly
implemented by CAST and CAREC is
potentially the Caribbean’s solution
for responding to the problems and
issues identified above. QTC has
been developed for the Caribbean by
Caribbean institutions and experts.
Its seven quality (7) standards
already meet and exceed national
requirements, support local and
national systems and conforms with
UK and US standards.
CAST and CAREC have articulated the
QTC program vision for the Caribbean
as one leading to “…the safest,
happiest and healthiest of
comparable destinations in the
world”. QTC differs from other
existing standards and certification
programs (e.g. Green Globe 21) in
that it is holistic in scope, has
brand recognition and addresses
health and safety issues. QTC’s
long term goal is to be the
Caribbean’s operating standard for
health, safety and environment. This
level of integration can only add
value to the region’s progress to
full CSME integration and improve
the quality of the regional tourism
economy.
The first phase of the QTC program
(i.e. QTC-1) funded by the IADB-MIF
undertook a Caribbean-wide research
and assessment of tourism needs in
the areas of performance, standards,
personnel skills and institutional
requirements. The 7 QTC standards
were the major outcomes. CAST and
CAREC are in the process of
developing a second phase proposal
for funding support. QTC-2 will
develop its required certification
system that is accessible and
affordable to small and medium sized
tourism enterprises and is
associated with worker skills
development, certification and
credentialing. It makes perfect
sense to articulate reciprocity with
existing regional worker
certification programs such as
CaribCert.
Achieving these program ideals,
however, requires an expanded CAST/CAREC,
public-private sector partnership
including the key regional tourism,
health and environment institutions
(e.g. the Caribbean Hotel
Association, PAHO/WHO, the Caribbean
Tourism Organization, the CARICOM
Organization for Standards and
Quality and key public sector
health, tourism and environment
agencies) all singing from one song
sheet. It also requires a Caribbean
commitment to patient consensus
building and pooling of resources in
order to clearly articulate and
achieve the common goals and
objectives.
In the next article we will examine
the specific mechanisms that QTC
will pursue in its second phase and
the indicators of success.
Back To The Top
Leading
Lights
Leading Lights are Caribbean leaders who
have made significant environmental and
social performance achievements
at their properties or within their
communities.
Grupo Punta Cana (GPC),
Punta Cana Resort and Club, Dominican
Republic - CAST Governing Council
Founding Member:
-
Environmental:
GPC’s staff constantly reevaluates
what it’s doing and considers
alternatives for improvement. An
example can be found in the resort’s
P.B. Dye–designed golf course. The
course is planted in Seashore
Paspalum hybrid grass, which can be
watered with a combination of salt
water and “gray water” (i.e.
wastewater recycled from the
resort). It requires about half as
much fertilizer and pesticide as
traditional Bermuda grass. GPC knew
that the runoff from those chemicals
would seep into the ground water,
flow into the ocean and cause
harmful algae to grow. GPC urged
lawmakers to create no-fishing
zones, and is working with local
fishermen to help them understand
that protecting the reef is in their
best interests. GPC is also bringing
in experts to explore the
possibility of creating coral
gardens that could be used to
replenish the reef.
-
Social:
In 1994, Punta Cana Resort & Club
created the Ecological Foundation,
with a 2,000- acre of natural
reserve donation from Gru po
Punta Cana. Dominican University
INTEC, along with the Santo Domingo
Botanical Garden, was the first to
make an inventory of flora and fauna
in the area. Today, the reserve is
the home for the Center for
Biodiversity and Sustainability,
which offers unique educational and
research opportunities to visiting
students and teachers, on topics
related to biodiversity
conservation, sustained development
and public health services from
international education and research
institutions such as Cornell's
College of Agriculture & Life
Science, the Center for
Complementary and Alternative
Medicine at Columbia University, the
Entomology Department of the Museum
of Comparative Zoology at Harvard
University, and the Stevens
Institute of Technology.
Back To The Top
CAST News
-
Green Globe 21 International
Eco-Tourism Standard (IES)Proficiency
Training (November 1-4, 2005) is
OVERSUBSCRIBED!:
CAST is
pleased to announce that this course
is oversubscribed. Sponsored by
Green Globe Asia Pacific, CAST the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Eco Xcursions Aquatica, the course will
teach participants about the
requirements of the International
Eco-Tourism Standard, feature a
field excursion to Puerto Rico’s
famous El Yunque rain forest and
allow participants to achieve a
Certificate of Proficiency..
For
those participants who missed
registering for this course in
November 2005, please send an
expression of interest for
participating in a course in 2006
to:
cast@cha-cast.com.
-
CAST to
Participate in the World Tourism
Forum in Rio de Janeiro Brazil,
October 2005:
The World Tourism Forum for Peace
and Sustainable Development (WTF)
will take place in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, the host country, during
October 24th – 27th
2005. The Forum’s brand name is
Destinations (www.desti-nations.net).
The WTF is a joint initiative of the
Federal Government of Brazil, the
World Tourism Organization, UNESCO
and UNDP. CAST represented by its
Director will participate in a panel
discussion on “Social Development:
Reinventing Destinations” hosted by
the Brazil Ministry of Tourism on
October 25th 2005
followed by a “Consultative Meeting
on Sustainable Tourism
Certification” hosted by UNEP during
October 26th – 27th
2005. Look out for a report on
meeting outcomes!
-
Certification Network Activities:
The IADB/MIF-supported Skills
Standards and Certification Network
of which CAST, the Bahamas & Jamaica
Hotel Associations and the Trinidad
& Tobago Hospitality Institute are
foundation members, will meet in
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, November
10th & 11th 2005. This annual meeting will
discuss the 2006 work program;
receive the initial results of a
study on the most successful
examples of standards &
certification systems in Latin
America and the Caribbean; the
strengthening and expansion of the
Network. The Network has been
functional since October 2004 and
will develop and recommend projects
for funding by the MIF and other
donors.
-
Au Revoir!! Paying tribute to a good
friend and colleague of CAST!:
CAST wishes a fond farewell to Giulia
Carbone, Sustainable Tourism Programme
Officer at UNEP’s Division of
Technology, Industry and Economics in
Paris, France who departed this office
and moved on to brighter and better
opportunities in Switzerland. Giulia has
been a good friend and supporter of CAST
since its inception and has been very
generous in sharing her office resources
and good advice with us in support of
our regional initiatives. Good luck
Giulia! You are a class act!
-
St. Maarten Hotel Association’s 3rd
Annual General Managers’ Retreat:
The Director
of CAST, Deirdre Shurland, delivered
a presentation entitled
Environmental Management Systems
(EMS): Adding Value at the
retreat
held October 14th 2005 at the Divi
Little Bay Resort in St. Maarten.
Her presentation emphasized the
value of integrating environmental
stewardship principles and
activities into the core business
elements of leadership, business
process, communication and measures
of success. This was followed by
roundtable discussions focused on
business operations (facilitated by
Shurland), human resources and crime
and security.
Through these, the participants
developed and recommended strategies
for their individual properties and
for the Hotel Association to pursue
as next steps.
-
Be
Prepared! Plan Early! CAST Hurricane
Training Courses 2006:CAST
is now receiving expressions of
interest from hotels, associations
and other interested tourism
organizations for training in
hurricane preparedness planning. We
offer both 1 and 2-day workshops.
The latter features special
presentations by an insurance
executive or an architect who will
advise on secure building designs
and retrofits. Select your options
and contact us for details at:
cast@cha-cast.com. Plan your
workshop early so that you can
effectively drill your plan and stay
ahead of the competition.
-
Support the
Cause - Become a Corporate Friend of
CAST!:
CAST continues its fundraising
effort for support of its promotion
of sustainable tourism practices
throughout the region; including,
but not limited to, community based
initiatives and the improvement of
hotel operating standards. CAST is
continually evolving to serve you
better.
The Caribbean: Your Paradise! Our
Mission! Support the cause!
Send in your contribution today!
More info.
Back To The Top
Sustainable
Tourism Roundup
Tiamo Resort is
Looking for an Eco-Tourism Intern:
Tiamo Resorts, an eco-tourism facility
located on South Andros Island in The
Bahamas is seeking an intern.
Specific duties include the
following:
-
Leading snorkel trips to the
reef and Ocean Blue Holes, kayak
trips and inland nature hikes,
explaining the various habitats
and species common to The
Bahamas and South Andros Island.
-
Being on hand both to answer
guests questions about the
environment and help with any
varied requests and needs the
guests may have. Being on hand
to assist with the various
logistical requirements
necessary for day-to-day resort
operations.
-
Assist with local conservation
efforts to create national parks
and build international
awareness for the amazing
natural resources here on Andros
Island.
Tiamo will pay for travel
expenses to South Andros Island
up to US $350; provide room and
board (housing is on-site) and a
stipend of $100.00 per week.
Health benefits will not be
provided. Hours are flexible and
can be long but on average a day
per week of your own time will
be possible.
To Apply,
send an
e-mail titled "intern position"
with a resume and cover letter
to
info@tiamoresorts.com
describing your qualifications
and experience and let us know
what additional skills, if any,
you would bring to
Tiamo.
The
Rainforest Alliance and
the Eco-Index Sustainable
Tourism Website:
The Rainforest Alliance created
the Eco-Index Sustainable
Tourism Website to provide a
free platform for certified
businesses to promote their
operations to potential
clients. They have created a
promotional page, in English and
Spanish, online at
www.eco-index.org/turismo or
www.eco-index.org/tourism.
This page introduces the project
and explains how certified
businesses can promote their
operations on the Website free
of charge. The questionnaire
for participation can be
requested directly from the Web
page, or by sending an e-mail to
tourism@eco-index.org.
Sandals
Scuba Team Participates in St. Lucia
Reef Cleanup:
The St. Lucian Sandals Dive Team has
recovered rubbish weighing more than 500
pounds - equivalent to two baby
elephants - from the reef at La Toc, St
Lucia.The 12 member team spent two hours
collecting bottles, golf balls, plastic
bags and other waste from the reef, in
support of Project Aware - the dive
industry's environmental organization,
as part of the activities for
International Cleanup Day. Among the
items found were 3,400 plastic bottles;
200 golf balls; 30 plastic bags; and 10
pairs of sunglasses.
Anthony Leonce, Dive Centre Manager for
Sandals Resorts in St Lucia, led the
mission. He says: "Too often, rubbish is
not put in waste bins, but is simply
thrown onto the street or into the
river. Waste in the river then flows
into sea, where the reef acts like a
giant magnet, drawing tons of rubbish to
it. Sandals will continue to support
reef cleaning and other aquatic
environmental initiatives, but it is
also important to educate people about
the consequences of not disposing of
rubbish properly."
(source: Cerninfo Digest # 893,
Ernie Seon
seonevg@candw.lc)
Barbados
Coral Bleaching:
Dr. Hazel Oxenford and her assistants
are monitoring the
 current
severe coral bleaching event in Barbados
along with the government’s Coastal Zone
Management Unit (CZMU). Sea temperatures
in excess of 30°C are currently being
recorded at patch reefs on the west and
south coasts, and on west coast bank
reefs down to 20 meters deep. The extent
of bleaching is now as high as 70-80% of
live coral at all sites (bank, fringing,
patch reefs) and is affecting virtually
all hard coral species, soft corals and
anemones. CERMES will continue to
monitor the event.
Coral bleaching is a phenomenon often
linked to warm sea waters. Its effects
are known to weaken the reef structure
by damaging or killing coral species.(source:
CERMES Connection, October)
Back to the Top
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Feedback From Our
Readers
CAST
encourages readers to send in comments
and feedback on BroadCAST articles, news
and achievements from your properties,
or with your own questions or
concerns, All submissions should be
emailed to
cast@cha-cast.com
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Views expressed above are not necessarily those of the
Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
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