Proceed with caution in tourist industry
published: Friday | January 30, 2004
THE EDITOR, SIR:
LIKE MOST Jamaicans, I welcome the positive news regarding the tourist industry and recognise that it is a testament to the hard work and resources committed by the players involved. However, let us be very mindful of the potential negative effects that this industry can have on the natural environment. The construction of hotels, piers, shopping areas, roads and the provision of services will inevitably impact the ecosystem. The crucial issue is to strike the right balance between these two competing demands.
Let us welcome our visitors and go for a greater share of the world's tourist market but in 50 years time, let us not shake our heads and wonder why we got things wrong when our beaches become polluted, some resources depleted, increased run-off affects our towns and the coastal environment irreversibly damaged because insufficient attention was paid to environmental factors. Let us learn from the mistakes of other countries which have experienced these problems. To our policy-makers: pay greater attention to environmental considerations in formulating plans for the industry.
We should not be apologetic about setting high environmental standards for two main reasons. Firstly, we should not settle for anything but the very best standards for ourselves. Secondly, our visitors are from societies where environmental issues take centre stage in policy making and they conform to these policies. So, as we seek to build the industry, let us be guided by enlightened, long-term, comprehensive policies. We owe it to ourselves!
