The Blue Flag Campaign in the Caribbean

Transcription

1 in the Caribbean Caribbean Regional Consortium Caribbean Tourism Organization Caribbean Conservation Association Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism

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4 .. What is it? The Blue Flag is an exclusive voluntary eco-label awarded to more than 2800 beaches and marinas in 23 countries across Europe and South Africa in 2002 Owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Symbol of high environmental standards as well as superior sanitary and safety facilities at beaches/marinas

5 .. What is it? includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators Originally developed in France (1985) Since 1987 launched in Europe (FEEE)

6 ..what are its objectives? Improve understanding and protection of coastal and marine environment Promote incorporation of environmental issues in decision-making process of authorities and their partners Achieve self-regulation by industry to meet environmental standards

7 local authorities..who does it target? the general public the tourism industry other major stakeholders

8 ..What criteria? Imperative or Guideline criteria Beaches and Marinas Both cover 4 aspects: Water Quality (regular testing and reporting) Environmental Education & Information (public outreach) Environmental Management (protection, safety, cleanliness) Safety and Facilities (services and infrastructure)

9 National operators Self-regulation Public plays important role..monitoring? Blue Flags awarded annually, can be removed at any time if criteria not achieved or upheld

10 ..What is a Blue Flag Beach?

11 ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach? Clean and analyzed sea water Environmental Information and education Clean sand and regular solid waste disposal Security and first aid services Easy and safe access to the beach Signage and enforcement of coastal legislation Potable water and sanitary facilities No motor vehicles circulation No pets allowed on beach( some exceptions)

12 ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach?

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14 ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach?

15 ..now in the Caribbean Caribbean Region: 33 countries from the English, Spanish, French and Dutch Caribbean Independent States and Overseas Territories of France, UK and the Netherlands

16 ..now in the Caribbean Transferring the Blue Flag to the Caribbean: 1. Initial meeting : Puerto Rico Dec UNEP/WTO/CAST 2. Conducted a feasibility study: Selected a regional consortium: Barbados, May 2001 First meeting

17 ..now in the Caribbean The Blue Flag Caribbean Consortium: Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional tourism development agency for the Caribbean. 32 Countries. Public/Private sector members Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) Oldest environmental regional body in the Caribbean (38 years old), 18 Caribbean governments, 19 NGO s, several hundred individual and corporate members Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Caribbean Hotel Association s environmental arm. Development of sustainable tourism standards

18 .now in the Caribbean 4. Determining the pilot phase criteria: First Coordinators Meeting - March Dom. Republic 5. Define the scope and extent of the campaign 6 Select beaches for pilot phase 7 Select National Committees 8. Raise public awareness 9. LAUNCH the public campaign: Pilot Phase Nov. 2002

19 ..now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Criteria The Caribbean criteria are taking into account: regional environmental conditions (and threats!) socio-economic conditions institutional and legal frameworks: local, regional, and international

20 ..now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Criteria The criteria have been designed so that they: address priority environment and tourism issues be attainable by all countries involved be capable of being monitored and controlled and consistent be simple to implement represent an improvement with respect to the status quo maintain the International Blue Flag quality

21 ..now in the Caribbean The Caribbean Blue Flag National Committees Suggested composition: National water quality authorities National authorities in charge of national policies on ICZM and nature protection National tourism & environment authorities National marine associations National associations of local authorities and interests NGOs representing environmental and community interests and environmental education National representative of the tourism trade National consumers association and safety boards

22 ..now in the Caribbean The Caribbean Blue Flag Pilot Countries (as of November 2002): Antigua & Barbuda Dominican Republic The Bahamas Jamaica Guadeloupe Puerto Rico Venezuela

23 .now in the Caribbean Puerto Rico beaches: - Monserrate Beach- Municipality of Luquillo - Carolina Beach-Municipality of Carolina - El Escambron beach San Juan - Flamenco Beach Municipality of Culebra

24 Carolina Beach..now in the Caribbean Three miles of sandy beach on the Atlantic coast. It is the closest beach to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. It has service, safety and information infrastructure that needs improvements to meet Blue Flag criteria. The Carolina Public Beach is administered by the Carolina Municipality.

25 .now in the Caribbean Jamaica Beaches: - Long Bay beach Negril in Westmoreland/Hanover - Doctors Cove Bathing Club Montego Bay, St. James - Dolphin s Cove Ocho Rios, St. Ann - Frenchman s Cove Port Antonio, Portland - Dunn s River, Ocho Rios, St. Ann Marina: - New Marina development in Port Antonio

26 .now in the Caribbean Dolphin Cove, Jamaica

27 .now in the Caribbean Dominican Republic Beaches: - Bayahibe Beach- Casa del Mar segment- Province of Altagracia - Bayahibe Beach Club Dominicus segment Province of Altagracia

28 .now in the Caribbean Bayahibe Beach, Dominican Republic

29 .now in the Caribbean Venezuela Beaches: - Adicora Beach Paraguana Peninsula, state of Falcon

30 .now in the Caribbean Adicora Beach, Paraguana Peninsula, Venezuela

31 .now in the Caribbean - The Bahamas: - Our Lucaya Marina, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

32 ..now in the Caribbean Special issues for the Caribbean: Hotels / Hotel association as beach managers Beaches with restricted public access Coral reefs beaches linkages, including diving operators Community involvement Public reporting of water quality

33 .now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Time Frame: Launch of Pilot Year in December - signs on 14 beaches/marinas. New countries can join up to December 30, 2002 Criteria tested and finalized by Oct National juries receive applications and a Regional Jury makes selections of candidates First Blue Flags in the region by winter 2004?

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35 Many thanks for your attention! PENELOPE HYNAM Blue Flag Representative CARIBBEAN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION