SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – An account of how the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association successfully articulated and dealt with the concerns of the country’s tourism sector is a presentation that should not be missed when Counterpart International’s 8th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) opened in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday, February 9.
The theme of the February 9-13, 2006 conference is “Sustainable Development: A Balancing Act,” and delegates will take a serious look at the quality of journalism in the Caribbean as well as at how to encourage tourism developments which create wealth while enhancing local culture and conserving the fragile environment.
CMEx visionary Allen Chastanet, now President of the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, said that St. Maarten has done an amazing job in managing the concerns of the sector, and there is much to be learnt from their experience. “Essentially they have been able to do a better job than us in articulating some of the concerns that we have. They are focused on the quality of life, and all the things that impact on the quality of life in St. Maarten,” Chastanet commented.
He identified some of these areas as the environment, taxation, traffic, cost of living and entertainment, adding that the St. Maarten association has “addressed those as quality of life issues, so it’s not just the tourists that benefit but everyone in St. Maarten. They have learnt to do things for themselves rather than just doing them for other people,” Chastanet remarked.
President of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association Emil Lee will make the presentation to CMEx’s regional and international delegates and will indicate where his association has reached with its program.
Chastanet said the presentation will serve as a “huge eye-opener” for most of the region, as it would show that sustainable tourism development has to be about putting locals first and visitors after. “Clearly tourists have the option of whether they come or not but we don’t, we live here all the time, and therefore need to ensure that this is paradise, not for the visitor but for ourselves,” he added.
The St. Lucian hotelier and member of Counterpart’s International Advisory Committee said he remains unwavering in his belief in and support for CMEx, as it remained a critical tool in the process of understanding the industry. “It is crucial that journalists are provided with an environment where they are allowed a better understanding of the issues that we are confronted with on a daily basis as an industry,” he added.
CMEx is an interactive workshop that allows journalists from the Caribbean, North America and Europe to interact with representatives of the hospitality sector and government and discuss tourism policies aimed at improving the lives of Caribbean people.
