- Herebert McKenis/Freelance Photographer
Tourism Minister Aloun N'Dombet Assamba in discussion with Scott McCormick (centre), chief of party of the Coastal Water-quality Improvement Programme (CWIP), and Louis Daley, deputy chief of party of CWIP, at the recent Green Tourism Conference at Half Moon Hotel. CWIP is assisting Portland to monitor and improve the quality of its potable water, as the parish tries to qualify for Green Globe 21 certification.
Erica James-King, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE PARISH of Portland, which is famous for its lush tropical beauty and romantic hideaways, is in a race to be the first internationally certified green destination in the western hemisphere - a title which would increase its marketability on the global scene.
However, the island of Dominica in the eastern Caribbean is also in a tussle with Portland for that treasured position.
"Dominica is the Nature Isle of the Caribbean and we are doing all in our power to be the first green destination in the region," declared Sharon Pascale, Director of Tourism for Dominica, when The Sunday Gleaner caught up with her at the Green Tourism Conference, which ended yesterday in Montego Bay.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Meanwhile, Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun N'Dombet Assamba says efforts to transform Portland into a green destination is part of the thrust to ensure the sustainable development of that parish, as well as to beef up the island's integrated tourism development approach.
"Already, a Portland Destination Management Group has been established and the Portland Parish Council identified as the lead agency for the (greening) process in this parish," asserted the Tourism Minister.
The 'greening' of Portland marks the fourth phase of the Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) Project, which ends in March next year.
EAST, which was launched in 1997, has assisted scores of hotels and manufacturing companies in completing environmental audits, and one of the major achievements of the project has been the certification of over 30 Jamaican hotels and attractions by Green Globe 21, the United Kingdom-based environmental standards body.
Locations wishing to be part of the Green Globe 21 certification programme for destinations must register with the Green Globe 21 Asia-Pacific entity, pay a benchmarking fee, and submit a benchmarking data sheet, which consists of a detailed and documented report of the community's performance in the required indicators laid down by the Green Globe 21 Asia-Pacific entity.
Green Globe certification for the parish of Portland will reposition that parish as a primary tourism destination, ensure that development in the parish follows strict environmental guidelines, and identify new and innovative economic opportunities for the people of the parish.
Hugh Cresser, EAST project co-ordinator, is keen to point out that one of the objectives of developing Portland as a green destination is that it will develop an environmental yardstick to monitor energy, solid waste, waste water, biodiversity and water quality.
"Recycling is going to be a big part of creating employment for the people of the parish. We are going to create small businesses which recycle solid waste like glass bottles from the hotels, to make pen holders, ash trays and other household items," Mr. Cresser explains. "We also have a group of women now recycling paper and breadfruit leaves and this programme can be expanded."
He says Portland is relatively close to achieving Green Globe 21 successful benchmarking and certification, as seven out of 10 required indicators are currently at a level that would allow for successful benchmarking.
"In terms of water consumption, the analysis showed that in 2002 water consumption in Portland was 23.86 kilometres per person, a very good performance indeed," the EAST project co-ordinator pointed out.
In terms of biodiversity, this parish, which has the largest butterfly in the northern hemisphere the endangered Swallowtail butterfly and dozens of endemic birds, has set aside 44 per cent of its territory (or 36,386 hectares) for conservation. This conservation measure has allowed the parish to pick up an excellent performance rating in terms of the biodiversity benchmark laid down by Green Globe 21 assessors.
LONG WAY TO GO
According to EAST, the parish still has a far way to go in terms of getting its act together where solid waste management is concerned. A large percentage of the waste generated in the parish does not end up in a landfill, as only an estimated 75 per cent of the waste produced is collected.
And what is the picture in the island of Dominica, which has a population of 70,000?
Pointing to some of the challenges acting as obstacles to the country becoming a Green Globe certified destination, Sharon Pascale argues that some communities have not 'bought into' the importance of environment programmes, and therefore some traditional customs are impacting on the environment.
"Sometimes tourism is seen as competing with, rather than complementing agriculture, and we want to change that perception," noted Ms. Pascale while bemoaning that financial constraints sometimes undermine the longevity of some environment programmes.
GREEN GLOBE CERTIFIED
On a positive note, the majority of attractions in Dominica are located in the country's three protected areas or national parks, and some five resorts in the country are Green Globe certified.
"We have environmental walkthroughs for 33 properties, and there is an eco-tourism development programme being implemented which is funded by the European Union," said Dominica's Director of Tourism. The eco-tourism development project is facilitating eco-tourism development at the community level.
Some environmental experts believe that in the long run it does not matter if Portland or Dominica qualifies first for Green Globe certification, but that both destinations will qualify for the coveted title.
Potential benefits
Improved environment and, therefore, recognition among the visitors of the quality of Jamaica's tourism product.Efficient protection and rational use of the country's natural resources, as well as protection and enhancement of Portland's, and the island's, cultural heritageImproved relations between the business community, government and local communities.
