International Panel of Experts to Examine Impact of Policies, Product and Investment on Caribbean Sustainable Tourism

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Investing in sustainable tourism policies and products to benefit the Caribbean region will be the focus of an international panel of experts who will present a special session during the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism, April 30, 2008.

The panel will be moderated by Mr. Conrad Higgs, CEO of TCInvest (Turks and Caicos Islands Investment Agency), an independent agency in the islands with a mandate to attract new offshore investment, encourage entrepreneurship amongst the residents and provide financing to the local population.

Panelists will examine opportunities for sustainable tourism investment from a variety of perspectives based on their individual expertise. Participants will include:

• Dr. Richard Denman, The Tourism Company – Dr. Denman will examine global perspectives on policies and instruments for coastal tourism sustainability. Specifically, he will discuss whether the Caribbean is applying the right mix of policies and approaches. Dr. Denman has been involved in a wide range of projects covering tourism policy, planning and destination management in the UK and internationally. He has worked closely in recent years with the UN World Tourism Organization and the European Commission on tourism sustainability issues.

• Ms. Rachel McCaffery, Virgin Holidays – Ms. McCaffery will look at sustainability from the tour operator’s perspective, including how all sectors of the Caribbean tourism industry can work together to drive a sustainable future.

• Ms. Eleanor Phillips, The Nature Conservancy – Ms. Phillips will discuss the results of a recent study of how marine protected areas (MPA) can contribute to poverty reduction. The study recommends key strategies for strengthening creation and management of MPAs including: committing to financial investment in protected areas; developing networks of smaller, ecologically connected MPAs, linked to communities to increase access to benefits; and empowering communities in decision making and MPA management.

Ms. Phillips serves as Northern Caribbean programme director for the Nature Conservancy. There, she develops the Conservancy’s agenda in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos while managing partnerships with government and non-governmental organizations for the effective conservation of natural resources.

• Dr. Auliana Poon, Tourism Intelligence International – Dr. Poon serves as managing director and senior partner of Tourism Intelligence International. She will discuss how the Caribbean can transform private investment for more sustainable tourism development. Dr. Poon enjoys an international reputation as a tourism consultant, and is one of the foremost specialists in eco-tourism and sustainable tourism development.

The Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development will provide information on the development and implementation of responsible tourism. Media, travel agents and key members of the Caribbean tourism industry will attend the conference. Many experts have identified the Caribbean as a region that will be greatly impacted by the continued adverse effects of global warming and other environmental issues.

The April 28 to May 1 conference is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). It will be held at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa.