Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – The Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) hosted a Blue Flag raising ceremony on January 16, 2015 at the Las Cuevas Beach facility to commemorate the Blue Flag award that was conferred on the Las Cuevas Beach in September, 2014.
Ms. Donna Ferraz, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism raised the Blue Flag surrounded by TDC’s Chairman, Umesh Rampersad; Member of Parliament for St. Ann’s East, the Honourable Joanne Thomas; Keith Chin, Chief Executive Officer, TDC and other dignitaries. The raising of the Blue Flag marked the opening of the Blue Flag season for Las Cuevas Beach which runs from 16th January to 31st October, 2015.
Commenting on the ceremony, TDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keith Chin said, “This award marks another first for destination Trinidad and Tobago and reaffirms the TDC’s commitment to capitalizing on the value that sustainable growth and development brings to our destination.” He also added that, “we will continue to work with the Blue Flag organisation to certify other beaches in Trinidad and Tobago within the coming months.”
An internationally recognised voluntary eco label, the Blue Flag is awarded to more than 4000 beaches and marinas in 48 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.
The award is based on compliance with 32 beach criteria and 24 marina criteria dealing with environmental education and information, environmental management, water quality, safety and other services; which must be maintained during each season for the Blue Flag status to be upheld. Trinidad and Tobago currently holds the distinction of being the only country in the Southern English speaking Caribbean to have a Blue Flag certified beach.
In Trinidad and Tobago the Blue flag programme will be coordinated by Asclepius Green, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), which embarked on the implementation of the programme in 2008, together with the TDC, in an effort to ensure sustainable development of the sector and the proper management of human impacts on the environment, whilst ensuring high levels of visitor satisfaction.
For more information on the Blue Flag programme in Trinidad and Tobago please visit blueflagtrinidadandtobago.com or www.tdc.co.tt or contact the TDC’s Corporate Communications Department at 675-7034 or via email at [email protected].
