We have been warned; Caribbean Tourism Organization assembles industry experts to talk sustainability

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Scientists have been warning us since 2012, that the Earth is heading for a tipping point that could lead to a catastrophic breakdown in the planet’s biosphere. What would this mean for us? It would mean that earth could become inhabitable in the near future (Truthdig, 2012).  What is truly unfortunate is that humans are the ones who are pushing us to that breaking point. In 2012, a 35% increase in atomospheric carbon dioxide was documented since the start of the Industrial Revolution (Truthdig, 2012). Global temperatures are rising, and humans have completely transformed 43% of earth’s land surface for cities and agriculture (Truthdig, 2012).

Besides the obvious, what does this all mean to us as a global community? It means that we have to find a way to balance out all of the harm that we have caused to our planet before we do not have a planet to live on.  It is for this reason that the Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development is of dire need, and their theme could not be more fitting. The Conference themed, “Keeping the Right Balance; Tourism Development in an Era of Diversification,” (#STC29019) will be held from August 26^th, 2019 – August 29^th, 2019 at the Beachcombers Hotel in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Conference is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization and evolved from the Caribbean Ecotourism Conference held from 1991 to 1996. It has become part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTP’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. Each year they gather industry experts who address the urgent need for a: transformational, disruptive and regenerative systems and products that meet the ever-rising challenges we face as a global community. This year, their focus is on ways that we as a community can learn more about climate change, being more aware of how we act as consumers, and possibly shifting our purchasing preferences in a way that is less damaging to the earth.

The CTO is excited to confirm Elizabeth “Liz” Thompson (Barbados Ambassador to the United Nations) as the Keynote Speaker for the Conference. Her address is intended to set the context and is scheduled for August 27^th, 2019 at 9:10 am.  The two-day conference will be jam packed with group sessions each with a dynamic line-up of presenters. The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper is happy to present to you what is store for conference attendees at the Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development.

General Session I – Development Models for Social Integration

(August 27^th, 2019 from 9:45 a.m. – 11 a.m.)

The speakers in this session are: Hayden Billingy, Dr. K’adamawe K’nife, Gabriella Stowell, and Tasheka Haynes – Bobb. The focus will be on the integration of local and indigenous grassroots initiatives as employment opportunities for local communities.

General Session II – Community Based Tourism – Driving Innovation and Experiences

(August 27, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.)

Speakers: Kennedy Pemberton, Annie Bertrand, Judy Karwacki, and Marco Antonio Verde, will delve into how product diversification and differentiation can enhance community partnership in tourism.

General Session III – Host Country Showcase – Energise

(August 27, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.)

The speakers hosting this session include: Bianca Porter, Ellsworth Dacon, Janeel Findlay-Miller, Thornley Myers, and Herman Belmar. This session is an opportunity for St. Vincent and the Grenadines to share its sustainability story and showcase the diversity of its tourism experiences.

General Session IV – Indigenous Conversations – Celebrating Our Past, Embracing Our Future

(August 27^th, 2019 from 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.)

This entrepreneurial experience will be presented to us by: Dr. Zoila Ellis Browne, Uwahnie Melenie Martinez, Rudolph Edwards, Chris Cal, and Colonel Marcia “Kim” Douglas. The session will examine how indigenous communities are utilizing tourism markets to embrace entrepreneurial opportunities.

General Session V – The Caring Economy: People, Planet and Profits

(August 29^th, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.)

Learning tangible best practices of equitable balance among the three P’s of sustainability will be presented by: Gail Henry, Joy Jibrilu, Paloma Zapata, Seleni Matus, and Stina Herberg

General Session VI – Transformation for Tourism Evolution

(August 29^th, 2019 from 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

The speakers in this session will be helping attendees take a critical look at new opportunities to regenerate the regional tourism industry. Speakers will be Maria, Fowell, Kieran St. Omer, and the Hon. Camillo Gonsalvez (Minister of Foreign Affairs, St. Vincent Grenadines).

General Session VII – Conservation Matters: Nurturing our Nature

(August 29^th, 2019 from 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

Alternative path to realizing tourism potential will be led by: Orisha Joseph, Vincent Sweeney, Dr. Alex Brylske, and Andrew Lockhart.

General Session VIII – Stakeholders Speak Out

(August 29^th, 2019 from 3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.)

Delegates will have an opportunity to share their views, debate hot button issues and discuss disruptions and trends reshaping the tourism industry. The roster includes: Avanell DaSilva, Glenn Beadhe, Dr. Jerrold Thompson, Kim Halbich and Dr. Lisa Indar.

If you are interested in being part of this conference visit  https://www.caribbeanstc.com/register, and become as much a part of the change as we are the problem.