Actionable information presented at the Coastal Tourism symposium held in Grenada, July 2014

“I think this third of CREST’s coastal tourism symposiums was the most useful yet,” says our portal editor, Jonathan Tourtellot, a symposium presenter and moderator. The symposium, organized by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), focused on coastal tourism in regards to sustainability, impacts on local and global markets, and the future of coastal tourism. Presenters also branched from this theme to give current, essential information on topics such as “green” certification, impacts of global warming today and beyond, community-based coastal tourism, developing more ecologically sustainable hotels, spas, and golf courses, as well as much more.  The conference touched on an entire spectrum of information regarding coastal tourism, present and future.

The following links lead to presentations from the 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, held July 9-11, 2014 in Grenada and organized by the U.S.-based Center for Responsible Travel (CREST). These presentations, most limited to 12-15 minutes, give useful, actionable information on different topics relating to destination stewardship.

Concerning climate change in the Caribbean:
~ Potential Impacts of Climate Change in the Caribbean: A wonderful resource exploring the effects of climate change in the Caribbean.  Supported with charts, graphs, and other plotted data, this resource is invaluable to those looking for information on rising sea levels, impacts on tourism from potential acidification of coral reefs, ocean and biodiversity ecosystem disruption, and the need for potential relocation of local populations due to rising sea levels.
Presenters:
Dr. E. Angus Friday, Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States and Mexico
Dr. Nickolas Steele, Grenada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Business
Dr. Hugh Sealy, Climatologist

~ Grenadian-German Pilot Programme on Integrated Climate Change Adaption Strategies.  Presenter, Dieter Rothenberger, M.A., Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (ICCAS) project/German International Development Agency (GIZ)
This presentation outlines climate change and the effect on coastal and shoreline areas, as well as outlining the financial (and other) benefits for protecting these areas.

Concerning Coastal Tourism:
~ How Marine Protected Areas and Best Fishing Practices Can Enhance Sustainable Coastal Tourism:  Presenter, Mark J. Spaulding, J.D., The Ocean Foundation.
A resource that gives coastal tourism statistics, coastal tourism challenges, and sustainability issues in regards to fishing; it also gives information on how sustainable tourism and sustainable fishing practices can help mitigate negative effects.  The presentation also outlines Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) and how these can be a resource in helping to conserve coastal areas along with ocean biodiversity.

~ Coastal Setbacks in Latin America and the Caribbean:  Presenter, Murray Simpson, Ph.D., INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group
A presentation outlining some of the issues facing coastal tourism today.  Exploring issues such as climate change, erosion, rising sea levels, easements, the presentation also gives examples of ways to effectively manage coastal tourism and potentially mitigate these issues.

Concerning Traveler Philanthropy
~ Travelers’ Philanthropy: Giving Time, Talent, and Treasure.  Presenter: Samantha Hogenson, Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
A great presentation that defines travelers’ philanthropy, gives specifics about company involvement, and how companies and tourists can give back.

Concerning Large Beach Resorts
~ All-inclusive Hotels: Increasing the Local Economic Contribution.  Presenter:  Salli Felton, The Travel Foundation
A presentation that defines the composition of hotel economic local involvement, the concept of economic “leakage” and how much money stays in the local communities in which the resorts are based, factors that inhibit tourists’ spending habits in local communities, and a case example of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

~ Crane Resorts: a case study of an environmentally sound approach to competitiveness in the hotel industry.  Presenter: Sean Alleyne, The Crane Residential Resort
A thorough examination of the sustainability of the Crane Resort in Barbados, the Caribbean’s oldest resort.  The presentation contains an honest look at the resort’s water usage, electricity usage, potential energy saving opportunities, social responsibility program, and specific architectural/design techniques used to conserve resources..

Concerning small and boutique beach hotels
~ Boutique Beach Resorts:  Innovations and Eco Certifications.  Presenter, Ewald Biemans, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts.
A film presentation.

~ Energy Efficiency in Caribbean Hotels.  Presenter, Loreta Duffy-Mayers, Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action (CHENACT)
An overview of how boutique hotels in the Caribbean are using electricity, and how the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action can help.

Concerning responsible coastal and marine recreational activities
~ Green Diving and Snorkeling.  Presenter: Gerlinde Seupel, Aquanauts Grenada
A great introduction to the benefits an challenges marine recreational activities such as diving and snorkeling can have on marine coastal areas.  The presentation gives suggestions on assessment of impacts, training and education, and information on green certification for diving in the Caribbean.

~ Walking the Talk: A Reality Check on Environmental Sustainability in Marine Tourism.  Presenter: Rick MacPherson, M.S., Pelagia Consulting
Information primarily on slides 16-33.  This presentation outlines tourist perspectives and attitudes towards marine recreations, specifically in regards to scuba diving.  The presentation also outlines guidelines and best practices for companies to adopt and educate tourists in order to keep such activities sustainable.  Challenges to compliance and adoption of such guidelines and best practice standards are outlined.

Concerning Cruise Tourism and Impacts
~ Cruise Tourism: Impacts and Innovations.  The Role of CSER in Cruise Consumers’ CBDM.  Presenter: Sheree-Ann Adams, Ph.D., Responsible Tourism Expert
A presentation examining how important sustainability issues of a cruise might be to those deciding on a vacation to book.  The presentation suggests that, in the past, even travelers who are sustainably- minded at home may not wish to be burdened with concerns about sustainability while traveling.  This way of thinking seems to have changed, however, and cruise companies should understand that today 2 in 3 consumers prefer to book with a company that has sustainability standards in place.

~  Cruise Tourism and its Economic Impact on Caribbean Countries.  Presenter: Fritz Pinnock, Ph.D., Caribbean Maritime Institute
This presentation explores the impact of cruise tourism within the Caribbean by outlining the importance of cruise tourism within the industry, the growth of cruise tourism, and economic impacts and perspectives of cruise tourism.  This presentation outlines the negative impressions and impacts as well as present and future challenges within the industry.

~ Destination Stewardship: Our Framework for Sustainable Tourism.  Presenter: Miguel Pena, M.A., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Sustainable cruise tourism from the perspective of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.  The presentation outlines consumer trends within the cruise tourism framework and gives an outline of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ approach to responsible cruising.  The presentation also outlines their own sustainability standards in regards to shore excursions, destination sustainability, and private destinations.

Creating greener spas
~ Wellness Tourism’s Synergy Sisters:   Presenter, Ryan Crabbe, Hilton Worldwide
A great introduction on how wellness tourism fits within the total sphere of tourism, as well as an overview of who most wellness tourists are and their motives for seeking these types of experiences.  The presentation also goes into detail explaining how Hilton has defined four specific areas that represent their dedication to corporate responsibility- creating opportunities, strengthening communities, celebrating cultures, and living sustainably.

Creating sustainable marinas
~ Sustainable Marinas:  The Social Dimension of Sustainability.  Presenter, Esteban Biondi, M.S. Eng., Applied Technology & Management
A presentation outlining marina planning and sustainability, successful marina planning approaches, and balancing guest experiences with social sustainability.  The presentation also gives case studies in Puerto Los Cabos (Mexico), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Zighy Bay (Oman), and more.

Creating sustainable golf courses
~ Golf Courses and Marinas: Impacts and Innovations.  Presenter, Jeff Brewster, Total Golf Construction
This presentation starts with an introduction to the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), which offers a certification to courses that meet sustainability standards.  The presentation then goes into more detail on how a sustainable golf course is designed and created.

Certification and best practice standards
~ Competitiveness Issues in Coastal Ecotourism: Best Practice Lessons from a CARIFORUM Ecotourism Value Chain Anaysis.  Presenter, Shellyanne Wilson, Ph.D., Compete Caribbean Consultant
An examination of the priority of ecotourism by private sector promotion.  The presentation describes limits to growth and potential of coastal ecotourism due to issues such as a lack of ecotourism standards, limits for implementation, and downfalls of certification processes.  Specific governmental programs set in place by different nations around the world are outlined and compared.

.Marketing and Branding sustainable tourism
~ Telling Your Green Story.  Presenter, Alice Marshall, MBA, Alice Marshall Public Relations
An overview of how to successfully brainstorm, conceptualize, and implement a business message and marketing plan.  The author outlines seven steps in creating and marketing a “your story”.

~ The Rebranding of Grenada: Turning potential into reality.  Presenter, Russ Jarman Price, Inglefield/Ogilvy & Mather
Results and summary from a two-day breakaway session initiated by the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association and Minister of Tourism in order to “establish a clear positioning for Grenada as a tourist destination”.  This is a highly detailed presentation that outlines how the breakaway session was able to brainstorm, outline, and create a clear tourism vision for Grenada.

Community-based coastal tourism
~ Successful Model For Community-Based Tourism From Canada’s Arctic Coast.  Presenter, Mike Robbins, The Tourism Company
Many imagine tropical beaches and islands when thinking of coastal tourism; this presentation is a wonderful reminder that coastal tourism can exist in all climates.  This presentation offers a case study on sustainable community-based tourism with native groups in northern Canada.  A detailed history is included as well as an outline of the steps taken to achieve sustainable community-based tourism.

Agritourism
~ From the Coast to the Land: Agritourism Linkages Benefiting Communities.  Presenter, Ena Harvey, M.S., Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture
A presentation outlining how the growth of “foodies” and “food tourism” can link with local community agrotourism, and the sets that must be implemented correctly in order to assure that local communities are accurately represented and benefiting.

Green Financing
~ Safeguarding Tourism: “Do No Harm” and “Do Good”.  Presenter, Natasha Ward, M.A., Inter-American Development Bank
An informative presentation on lending for tourism-related programs by the Inter-American Development Bank.  The presentation outlines the criteria in place to define “sustainable”, as well as explaining how environmental impact assessments are used before decisions are based to support development projects.

~ Impact Investing.  Presenter, Robbie Bovino, J.D., The Nature Conservancy
This presentation defines impact investing as “investments that promise measurable social or environmental benefits, along with a financial return.”  The presentation goes on to explain which segments of tourism can benefit from impact investing, and gives examples of how Nature Conservancy implements this concept in several worldwide projects.

~ Video presentation by Alex Pio, M.A., World Bank Consultant

Documentary Films and Coastal Tourism
~ Jamaica for Sale.  Presenter, Esther Figueroa, Ph.D., Vagabond Media LLC.
A presentation on the documentary film Jamaica For Sale.  Gives the history and current challenges of tourism in Jamaica.

~ The Goose with the Golden Eggs: Tourism on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.  Presenter, Martha Honey, Ph.D., Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
Information about the film, as well as a background in tourism in Costa Rica and current challenges.

Concerning governance
~ Taxpayers for Common Sense.  Presenter, Steve Ellis, Taxpayers for Common Sense.
A presentation outlining how things like flood insurance, beach rebuilding, disaster aid, and infrastructure have the potential for funding challenges.  They ask the question, are taxes being used in these projects in the best ways possible?  Is there a way to make sure taxes are going towards projects that truly need the funding?

.Using GIS and other tools in coastal tourism planning
~ Spatially Model Sustainability Indicators: The Use of GIS in Coastal Tourism and Resort Planning.  Presenter, James Dobbin, M.A., Dobbin International Inc.
Reading as an academic journal article, this article explains how to use GIS technologies in identifying problem areas around the world and how to develop better sustainable tourism and development policies based on this information.

.Geotourism
~ Sustainable Coasts:  The Geotourism Approach.  Presenter, Jonathan Tourtellot, Focus on Places LLC and the Destination Stewardship Center
How can a tourism location ensure that they are unique?  What keeps destinations from all looking the same?  This presentation explores what it means to have a distinct local feel at a destination, and how to use geotourism principles to keep a destination unique.