Region’s premier sustainable tourism conference to focus on sustaining natural resources

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (24 January, 2012) – The Caribbean’s tourism planners, policymakers and stakeholders will receive valuable guidance on how to sustain the region’s resources in the context of climate change, at the Caribbean’s premier sustainable tourism gathering in April.

The 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism (STC-13) – to be held in Guyana from 15 to 18 April – will focus on effective ways to monitor and manage the use of the region’s natural resources to limit depletion while maximizing the socio-economic benefits of tourism.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), which organizes the conference, has chosen as its theme, Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining our Resources. The CTO explains that because the natural environment – including coastal areas, coral reefs, wetlands, mountains, volcanoes, terrestrial and marine biodiversity, as well as the national and marine parks – serves as a major tourism pull, it’s imperative that action is taken to sustain these resources.

“The theme of STC-13 will therefore highlight best practices in how this requirement can be fulfilled in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts within the Caribbean and beyond. It will also provide valuable guidance on investing in, developing and marketing sustainable tourism products that can assist in sustaining our resources,” said Gail Henry, the CTO’s sustainable tourism product specialist.

The conference, which will be held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, is being organized in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority.

The CTO, along with the GTA and industry partners, is finalizing the conference programme which will include a mix of panel discussions and workshops with presentations from leading local, regional and international tourism experts and practitioners. Informative and exciting study tours to attraction-packed sites, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls, will expose delegates to the rich history, local culture and scenic beauty of Guyana.