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PLEASE VISIT THE
CAST WEBSITE AT:
http://www.cha-cast.com
To see the October
2005 Issues of the BroadCAST, please click
HERE
Director's Cut
Even though
it may be too late to say “Happy New
Year” it is not too late to wish all
our readers of the BroadCAST the
very best wishes for a prosperous
2006! We are grateful for all
the support and feedback received
during 2005 and are always buoyed by
your appreciative and constructive
comments. Keep it coming!
We began the
New Year with renewed vigour and
immediately launched into
preparations for Caribbean Market
Place organized by the Caribbean
Hotel Association in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, January 15-17 2006.
Read also about our promotions of
GG21 certified properties at this
Conference. We expect a very busy
year planning for the Green Globe 21
(GG21) international conference in
November in the Caribbean. Be sure
to put yourself on our mailing lists
for regular updates.
This issue
continues our focus on the Quality
Tourism for the Caribbean (QTC)
program jointly implemented by CAST
and the Caribbean Epidemiology
Centre (CAREC) in Trinidad. We are
pursuing additional funding to
continue the good work started a few
years ago to develop a comprehensive
standards and certification program
that is relevant to our region. Send
us your questions and comments as we
always look forward to hearing from
you.
The Caribbean: Your
Paradise! Our Mission!
Cheers,
Deirdre P. Shurland
Quality Tourism for the Caribbean (QTC):
Achieving Recognition and Sustainability
This is the second part of a 2-part
discourse on the QTC program of
CAST
& CAREC.
The first part which discussed the QTC
program vision and mission, was
published in the October 2005 edition of
the
BroadCAST available at:
http://www.cha-cast.com/BroadCAST.Oct%202005.htm.
Send your
feedback and comments to
cast@cha-cast.com.
There is much
debate at all levels
on sustainable tourism
certification programs. This
multi-stakeholder dialogue involves
persons in the public, private and
community sectors, academics,
international institutions and
donors. It centres on the
usefulness of sustainable tourism
certification programs such as
Green Globe 21, Blue Flag and
QTC (most familiar to the
Caribbean) in achieving more
profitable,
responsible and sustainable
tourism practices. More
recently, these programs have come
under intense scrutiny for their
ability to spur countries towards
attainment of the established UN
Millennium Development Goals.
Over the years,
CAST & CAREC have vigorously
embraced the above-mentioned
 certification
programs as a key strategy towards
profitability
and sustainability. Our views
remain unchanged,
essentially because of the success
stories we regularly witness and
have previously communicated to
industry. Our philosophy is that
there would be much more progress
towards sustainability objectives if
larger numbers of businesses were
implementing standards-based,
quality improvement programs.
Therein lies the essence of the
challenge.
In the last issue
of the BroadCAST, we
discussed our vision of the QTC
program, as the Caribbean’s own
indigenous tourism certification
program,
holistic in approach and
covering health, safety and
environment issues.
In this issue we select four
major issues for discussion
that are important to improving
QTC market demand, access and
program sustainability for the long
term.
1.
Relevance of standards &
international recognition:
Most experts agree that for
standards to be acceptable to the
market place there needs to be
extensive consultation primarily
with industry users. On some
occasions this has been a most
painful exercise for the QTC program
but also an important lesson. Over
the years, and largely through the
assembly of a well-balanced QTC
stakeholder group comprising
hoteliers, hotel association
representatives, public health and
environment officers, experts in
standards and certification etc., we
have achieved significant agreement
on the scope and structure of the
standards as well as the topical
issues to be addressed.
These include the
inter-connected issues of health,
safety and environment.
The discussions have also
included regional and international
tour operators, who are key targets
for driving industry towards greater
uptake of the QTC standards,
as well as
donors and other
international organizations.
2.
Certification & credentialing
system:
A key feature of the second phase of
QTC-2 will be an attempt to
harmonize the standards, where
possible, with other existing
tourism industry standards and
certification. The idea is to
maximize whatever opportunities
exist for strengthening the
standards and streamlining
certification procedures. Many
hoteliers have expressed
frustrations about the number of
programs in the region and have
sought clarification on those most
appropriate to their operations.
QTC-2 is seeking to address this. In
addition, we shall attempt to
leverage the QTC standards with
existing credentialing programs such
as CARIBCERT,
especially in subject areas not
addressed by the latter.
3.
Support services – training,
research, success measures:
CAST and CAREC are keen to increase
their respective capabilities to
provide support to the industry for
the QTC program. This is a service
imperative and fundamental for a
program that is most responsive to
industry needs and for
keeping costs affordable. The
idea is to create regional expertise
which is accessible to all
enterprises, in particular, small
and medium-sized enterprises.
A sustainable certification
program also needs a robust
research, monitoring and evaluation
program. This will assist with the
development of performance metrics
to track progress towards
established process and performance
goals, and to continually improve by
refining the standards on the basis
of data and industry feedback.
4.
Sustainability - expanded
partnership and wide acceptability:
QTC-2 also seeks to deepen the
private-public partnership and
to formalize reciprocal
arrangements with key national,
regional and international
agencies, tour operators etc. The
purpose is to secure its recognition
and acceptance, which is important
for industry uptake. The objective
is to meet and/or exceed national
standards and at the same time to be
in line with international
standards.
Part of the strategy will
require QTC to seek formal
accreditation where available. This
will no doubt be a tall order but we
feel that much of the groundwork has
already been laid in view of the
progress of our recent discussions.
Agencies like the CARICOM
Regional Organizations for Standards
and Quality (CROSQ) – an instrument
of the Caribbean Single Market &
Economy (CSME), the Caribbean
Environmental Health Institute (CEHI),
the Caribbean Hotel Association
(CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism
Organization (CTO) are already
involved in the discussions.
It is clear that
we have a lot to accomplish in the
region if QTC-2 is to achieve high
value-added for our tourism sector,
and to serve as a model for
other regions. This will require the
full engagement of all players. That
means you – please therefore send us
your feedback and comments
cast@cha-cast.com.
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.
Spice Island Beach Resort,
Grenada - Sir Royston O. Hopkin KCMG -
Spice Island Owner and CAST Chairman:
We salute our Chairman Sir Royston O.
Hopkin KCMG, for the reopening of his
5-star luxury Spice Island Beach Resort.
The Resort was devastated by Hurricane
Ivan in 2004. Following the loss, Sir
Royston promised to rebuild “stronger
and better”. The 64-room $12 million
refurbished resort was celebrated in a
gala re-opening which took place on
January 29th 2006 complete
with fireworks and entertainment for the
several hundred invited local and
international guests.
According to Sir Royston, “It has been a
very challenging but rewarding
rebuilding effort. We took the
opportunity to resign our beach cottages
and suites to maximize efficiencies and
hence the overall attractiveness,
function and environmental performance
of the hotel. Maintaining our Green
Globe 21 certification was also an
important objective during the
rebuilding.” Sir Royston also
indicated that funding had been obtained
for additional upgrades, including new
landscaping and water features
throughout the property. The
completely redesigned resort features a
new 3,500-square-foot Janissa's Spa,
a new Children's Activity Center
and attractive hard and soft furnishings
throughout the property.
Back To The Top
CAST News
-
Governing Council Nominates New
Vice-Chair for CAST:
Loreto Duffy-Mayers, Director of
Environmental Programs for Almond
Resorts
in Barbados, was recently elected
Vice-Chairprson of CAST.
As Environmental
Manager of Coconut Court in Barbados
Loreto lead the hotel to Green Globe
Certification and
the 2002 CHA/AMEX Green Hotel of the
Year Award. During her tenure at
Casuarina Beach
 Club,
prior to it being acquired by Almond
Resorts,
the hotel won several Global awards
including the 2004 World Legacy
Award
sponsored by National Geographic
Traveler Magazine and Conservation
International, the 2004
Responsible Travel Award at
WTM in London, and most recently,
the 2005 WTTC Tourism for
Tomorrow Award in Delhi, India.
Loreto says she is,
"honored to be elected Vice Chairman
of CAST, an organization deeply
committed to the betterment of the
tourism sector in the region, and
the consequential improvement in the
tourism experience for the visitor,
while ensuring the longevity of the
tourism product through
Environmental Management Education
and Training"
-
Conferences and Meetings:
-
The
Inter-American Development Bank’s
Multi-Lateral Investment Fund (IADB-MIF)
convened a meeting in Washington
D.C. during January 19th
& 20th 2006 for the newly
elected lead institutions of the
Networks in their Partners In
Innovation program. This
program, established in October
2004, has created 5 networks in
Latin America & the Caribbean to
assist the IADB-MIF to better
coordinate its project interventions
through information exchanges
between network members and through
the development of innovative
project ideas for donor funding.
Together with leaders, Fundacíon
Chile, CAST is coordinating the
Caribbean inputs to the Skills,
Standards and Credentialing Network.
It’s objective is to strengthen and
expand the region’s participation in
the Network and to maximize the
benefits to be realized from the
Network’s 2006 work program,
partially funded by the IADB-MIF.
-
The Director of
CAST, Ms. Deirdre Shurland, has been
invited to be a keynote speaker at
the 9th Special Session
of the UNEP Governing Council/Global
Ministerial Environment Forum in
Dubai, February 7th – 9th
2006. She will speak on policy
issues relating to “Tourism and the
Environment”. This is a
significant opportunity for CAST to
demonstrate the success achieved by
the Caribbean tourism private sector
in its use of certification and
other sustainability tools and to
advocate to this public sector
forum, the importance of government
support for and recognition of these
strategies. Ms. Shurland will also
speak on disaster management, energy
efficiency and the role of
public/private sector partnerships.
-
CAST's Program Manager, Jennifer
Dohrmann-Alpert, will give opening
remarks at The Caribbean Media
Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx
VIII) to be held at the Normandie
hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico from
February 9th - 13th 2006.
CMEx brings together writers and
editors, government delegates,
hoteliers, airline leaders, cruise
experts and other members of the
Caribbean hospitality industry for
three days of intensive and lively
dialogue and debate. Media
professionals value CMEx for not
only the heightened awareness of
what to look for in considering
tourism-related coverage but also
for the ability it offers them to
influence the design of sensible
tourism policies. For more
information about the February 2006
CMEx Agenda click
HERE.
-
CAST
Participates in Caribbean
Marketplace held in San Juan, Puerto
Rico January 15-17:
The
following are some of the ways CAST
was involved this year:
-
 CAST
held a panel discussion for the
international press that discussed
the benefits of Certification
The panel was moderated by CAST
Director, Deirdre Shurland,
and featured Ms. Loreto
Duffy-Mayers, Director of
Environmental Programs at
Almond Resorts in Barbados and
Mr. Ewald Biemans , Owner of the
Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba.
A subsequent CHA press
release promoting the efforts of
Caribbean Green Globe Certified
Properties was circulated published
by regional press - for an example
click
HERE.
(Photo from left: Deirdre Shurland -
Director of CAST, Loreto Duffy
Meyers - Director of Environmental
Programs Almond Resorts, Ewald
Biemans - Owner Bucuti Beach Resort,
Aruba )
- CAST recognized
all GG21 Certified properties
registered as “Suppliers” at
 Marketplace for their sustainability achievements by creating
specially designed displays which
were posted at the booths of these
delegates. Tour operators were
provided details of their
achievements including information
on the distinguishing GG21 tick and
its significance in achieving
sustainability.
(Photo from left: Lady Betty Hopkin,
Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG - Chairman
of CAST, Deirdre Shurland - Director
of CAST)
-
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 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
The 2nd
Caribbean Health Tourism & Spa Symposium
12 Days Away!:
This is the second year that Positive
Tourism Productions will host a
Caribbean Health Tourism & Spa
Symposium. The Symposium will be held
February 12th-13th at the Hilton
Kingston Hotel in Jamaica. The theme is
Wellness and Destination Health:
Important Trends in the Resort Industry.
For more information about the Symposium
please visit:
www.CaribbeanHealthTourism.com
or write to
News@PositiveTourism.Com
American Express Caribbean
Environmental Awards Application Now
Available:
The prestigious American Express
Caribbean Environmental Awards
(formerly theCHA/AMEX Green Hotel of the
Year Awards)
application is now available on the
CAST
website. Sponsored by American Express
and administered by CAST, the Awards
were developed to identify, promote
and recognize in each calendar year,
hotels that are exemplars of responsible
environmental and social performance
through their policies, plans and
activities. There are two categories in
which hotels can compete: Large Hotels
with ≥ 75 rooms and Small Hotels with ≤
74 rooms. For each category,
hotels must demonstrate significant
reductions of waste streams through
innovative means, increased employee
awareness and motivation, including
guest involvement in conservation
programs and contributions to the
development of adjacent communities.
Final date for submission is March
24th 2006. So send in your
applications TODAY and receive
recognition for your efforts!
The
Sustainable Tourism Certification
Network of the Americas:
In past issues of the BroadCAST
we mentioned various projects of the
Sustainable Tourism Certification
Network of the Americas coordinated by
the Rainforest Alliance. CAST is the
Network’s Caribbean liaison for all
certification news and issues. Recently,
the Rainforest Alliance announced two
new easy-to-remember domain names where
interested persons can retrieve
information on the Networks. Spanish
users can access information at:
www.certificationtouristica.org
while English users can do the same at:
www.certificationnetwork.org. Best
practice information can also be
accessed in both languages at:
www.buenaspracticasturisticas.org
and
www.tourismbestpractices.org.
(source: Rainforest Alliance
Certified Tourism Matters #9)
Participate
in Earth Day
this April 22nd
2006 with The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL):
Looking for a fun and easy opportunity
to actively protect your local aquatic
environment and engage your community,
friends, members and fellow
non-governmental organizations in
conservation? Then look no further!
Dive In To Earth Day, marks CORAL’s
international marine conservation
Earth Day
theme and offers you the chance to
be a part of a global movement to
protect the underwater world. Activities
recommended include a hands-on,
conservation event such as a beach or
underwater clean-up, an educational
snorkeling trip, a hands-on
environmental activity for children...
or any other exciting and engaging
conservation activity you can think of!
As a result of CORAL's past
Earth Day
efforts over 300,000 participants from
103 countries and territories around the
world have removed 140 Tons of trash
from coastal areas, educated and
inspired children to care for water
resources, supported coral reef areas,
and much, much more.
For information on the program and how
you can become involved, please visit
http://www.coralreefalliance.org/divein/
or email
divein@coral.org.
Beau Rive in Dominica is Searching
for an Intern:
The hotel is looking to house an intern
for 3-6 months. Duties would involve
general assistance in running the hotel
- including the following: responding
enquiries; documenting bookings;
billing; general office duties;
organizing airport transfers and tours;
assisting with and supervision of
housekeeping; assisting with menus and
food preparation; serving at tables and
at the bar. They would prefer a student
who is studying hotel management or
recently completed their studies.
Compensation is in the form of room and
board plus a $400 monthly stipend.
For more information please contact:
Mark Steele
at:
beaurive@cwdom.dm
Back to the Top
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Feedback From Our
Readers
In the
October 2005 issue of the BroadCAST,
SusanGoldman from New York wrote: "I
have heard that Dengue is a serious risk
in the Caribbean. Can anyone inform me
of how Dengue is transmitted, how it is
prevented and on which islands it is
most prevalent?"
Responses:
Dr.
Christian Frederickson,
medical
Entomologist/ Parasitologist for the
Caribbean
Epidemiology Centre
(CAREC):
"Dengue is
transmitted by the bite of an infected
Aedes aegypti,
a day-biting mosquito (especially early
morning & late afternoon).
This mosquito is a domestic mosquito
that is commonly found in and around
houses and feeds primarily during the
daytime. This mosquito comes from many
different types of artificial
water containers such as discarded
tires, uncovered barrels, buckets,
flower vases etc. Prevention of
dengue is by removal or covering of the
potential sources of the mosquitoes in
and around your house or place of work.
Screening of the house windows will also
limit mosquitoes from entering the
house. Countries most affected by dengue
vary each year depending upon the amount
of mosquitoes present, the exposure of
the population to these mosquitoes, the
presence of the virus circulating in the
population, the type of dengue
circulating (there are 4 types) and
whether the population has been infected
by dengue before."
Dr. James Hospedales, Director of
CAREC,
adds to this response by saying:
“Dengue fever (DF) is a viral disease
characterized by sudden fever lasting
3-5 days, headache, muscle pains, pain
behind the eyes and a rash, though many
infections are mild. Minor bleeding may
occur, e.g., gum bleeding. Major
bleeding may be due to dengue
hemorrhagic fever, requiring urgent
attention. The diagnosis is made by
laboratory tests. DF occurs throughout
the Caribbean in cycles."
For more information please visit the
CAREC
website or read this article from the
Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/
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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