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Center for Responsible Travel Transforming the Way the World Travels
www.responsibletravel.org
1333 H St., NW ■ Suite 300 East Tower ■ Washington, DC 20005 ■ P: 202-‐347-‐9203 ■ F: 202-‐775-‐0819 www.responsibletravel.org ■ www.travelersphilanthropy.org ■ [email protected]
CREST Newsletter: Issue 3, May/June/July 2014 ______________________________________________________________________________
The 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, held in Grenada from July 9-‐11, 2014, has helped to set the ‘green’ agenda for Grenada and the other Caribbean countries. Over 200 delegates participated in the three-‐day event, making it the largest ever Innovators Symposium organized by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST). CREST hosted the Grenada Symposium together with the Grenada Tourism Authority, Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Some fifty speakers from around the Americas -‐ including CREST board members Mike Robbins, Mary-‐Elizabeth Gifford, and Alice Marshall -‐ gave presentations on a range of topics including the impacts of climate change on coastal tourism, ‘green’ finance, eco-‐certification programs, travelers’ philanthropy, and linking sustainable tourism to local agriculture. Several panels focused on the growing body of environmental and social ‘best practices” for large and small resorts, coastal destinations, beaches and shorelines, cruise tourism, marinas, spas, golf courses,
CREST, Partners Host Caribbean’s First Innovators Symposium | Grenada, July 9 – 11, 2014
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sport fishing, and other types of coastal and marine recreation. The Symposium served to highlight Grenada’s new tourism brand, “Pure Grenada: The Spice of the Caribbean.” In introducing the concept, Grenada’s Minister of Tourism, Alexandra Otway-‐Noel explained, “We are Pure Grenada because we want to celebrate and preserve our culture rather than destroy it.” She continued, “Pure Grenada is home to low-‐impact, environmentally sensitive boutique resorts.” “Being Pure,” the Minister asserted, “begins with valuing ourselves, and staying Pure begins with committing to improvement. This is why I was thrilled when CREST and the CTO offered to host the 3rd Symposium for Coastal Innovators in Grenada. This event will mark a milestone in our development and hopefully in the development of our neighbors too.” At the opening luncheon, keynote speaker Jake Kheel, Environmental Director at Puntacana Resort & Club, one of the Caribbean’s oldest eco-‐resorts, explained, “When Puntacana Resort & Club began in the Dominican Republic over 45 years ago, the concept of ‘sustainable development’ didn’t yet exist. The developers made all of their important decisions based on common sense, their limited resources, and a deep respect for the Dominican Republic, its people, and its incredible natural resources. As it turns out,” Kheel added, “many of our early decisions relate directly to what is now known as sustainable development. Today,” he concluded, “Puntacana Resort & Club shares its many examples, from sustainable golf courses, water treatment facilities, coral restoration programs, and the unique architecture of the Punta Cana International Airport, as a way to inspire a hopeful vision of what Caribbean tourism can aspire to be.” Symposium speakers and documentary films from Jamaica and Costa Rica also examined a range of problems caused by fast-‐paced and poorly-‐planned coastal tourism. Jessica Hsu, coordinator of the organization Another Haiti is Possible, spoke passionately about the ongoing conflict between the government and local community on the Haitian island of Île-‐à-‐Vache. As Hsu told the audience, “The population of the island is not opposed to tourism, but is strongly opposed to the current iteration of ‘Destination Île-‐à-‐Vache’ which continues to systematically violate their rights.” She added that those on the island “are in favor of development which is respectful of their needs [and] which does not exploit nor threaten to take away their land -‐-‐ a project in which their participation is central and integral.”
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In the closing plenary session, Grenada’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Angus Friday told the Symposium delegates, “We must have an action plan that takes us forth from here. Not just for Grenada but for the region. It needs to be broken down into small bits and fit into a master plan. And that master plan cannot just be something that sits on a shelf. It must actually attract investment so that we can get the sort of jobs and impact we’re looking for.” Friday and others went on to list a range of priorities that had been identified at the Symposium. These include: 1) adapting coastal tourism development to the realities of climate change, 2)
achieving energy independence and ‘green’ energy efficiencies, 3) adhering to best practices through eco-‐certifications and other tools, and 4) linking sustainable tourism to agriculture, fishing, handicrafts, and other sectors in the local economy. What Symposium Delegates Had to Say… Here are some of the comments CREST received from Symposium speakers and attendees: • “What a wonderful experience. I learned so much, was definitely inspired, and even grew on
a personal level. Grenada served as such an exceptional destination, made everything clearer. Bravo for a great conference!” -‐ Ryan Crabbe, Sr. Director, Global Spa Brands and Operations, Hilton Worldwide
• “So many great people! I enjoyed meeting everyone... It was a really cohesive, smart, & passionate group. Perhaps the best I've encountered.” -‐ Andy Dumaine, CEO, Shrinkingfootprint
• “We are very pleased and very motivated to continue with the momentum.” -‐ Hon. Alexandra Otway-‐Noel, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Grenada
• “Thank you all for a wonderful, very instructive conference. I will await the posting of the presentations. I will present them at our Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and at the board of the Aruba Tourism Authority.” -‐ Ewald K. Biemans, Owner & CEO, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts
• “An outstanding event. I was very pleased with the level of discussion around such important topics. I enjoyed the tour of Grenada and the events around the symposium. Keep up the good work.” -‐ Miguel Pena, Sr. Analyst, Sustainability Programs, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
The Center for Responsible Travel has continued its partnership with several leading organizations in Mexico to help guide Mazatlan and southern Sinaloa toward competitive and sustainable tourism. This unique initiative takes a destination-‐level approach to sustainability, as it seeks to apply good practices in both the development of new tourism infrastructure as well as the operations of existing hotels and condos. The initiative began in early 2013 as a way to find more locally-‐suitable alternatives to the conventional model of tourism that the federal
Competitive and Sustainable Tourism in Sinaloa, Mexico
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government has envisioned for the integrated tourism center called Playa Espiritu. The project partners, led by the Council for the Development of Sinaloa (CODESIN), Conselva, the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), and CREST, aim to set a direction for Mazatlan and the southern zone that makes the region more attractive to new tourism investors while also protecting critical ecosystems such as the Marismas Nacionales wetlands and ensuring that local residents benefit from the sector’s growth. Most recently, CREST staff and CODESIN officials have succeeded in gaining support for the project’s objectives and activities from the highest levels leadership in government, business, and civil society. Please contact David Krantz, CREST Program Director, at [email protected] for more information.
The Barbados-‐based company Skyviews Inc., which produces colorful maps and guides for 12 Caribbean islands, is launching a new eco-‐labeling program developed by CREST. Skyviews maps feature tourism businesses, ranging from hotels, tour guides, and restaurants, to attractions, retail shops, airlines, and boat companies. The maps will now include eco-‐labels earned by these companies. The new voluntary eco-‐labeling scheme, developed by CREST staff and consultant Amos Bien (a leading certification expert), measures and rates the performance of businesses across ten different types of business. The awards program enables all businesses, irrespective of size, to measure their progress towards sustainability and earn eco-‐labels in five categories: energy, waste, water, social governance, and biodiversity.
“We are at a pivotal point in the course of history and the degradation of earth’s supporting ecosystems,” says Skyviews CEO Jessica Bensley. “We have before us an urgent call and challenge to adopt sustainable business practices and decouple environmental degradation from economic progress in order to create continued well-‐being.” The new Skyviews sustainability awards program was officially launched at the Innovators Symposium in Grenada. It is currently being field tested and will be made available shortly to all 600 businesses within Skyviews' portfolio.
(Photo courtesy of Valere Tjolle of TravelMole)
Skyviews Launches New Eco-‐labeling Program Designed by CREST
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CREST is pleased to announce that Eric Bergstrom, President and Founder of Bergstrom Capital Advisors (BCA) headquartered in Irvine, California, has joined the Board of Directors. During his 25 year career in the real estate capital markets, Eric has advised hundreds of real estate owners and developers throughout North America in strategic planning, entity and project-‐level acquisition, due diligence/dispositions, land planning/design, market and financial feasibility analyses, and capital market advisory assignments. Eric has been involved as part of CREST’s Consulting Services for several years, and was a speaker at CREST’s 2013 Innovators Symposium in Los Cabos, Mexico. He is currently assisting with CREST’s outreach to tourism executives and developers in Sinaloa. At the May board meeting, Eric agreed to serve as Board Treasurer, replacing Dan Martin who has retired from the Board.
In addition, CREST has regretfully accepted the resignation of Margarita Penon, former First Lady and Parliamentarian from Costa Rica who has served on the Board for several years. Margarita was compelled to step down from CREST and her other board obligations because she has accepted a position in the new Costa Rican government, which came to office in June 2014. She will be taking the role of Costa Rican Director of the Banco Centroamericano de
Integración Económica (BCIE). Margarita, a passionate proponent of sustainable tourism, has pledged to continue to work unofficially with CREST in Costa Rica, including as a spokesperson for CREST’s film, “The Goose with the Golden Eggs” in which she appears extensively. CREST is also proud to announce that Jake Kheel, Environmental Director for Puntacana Resort & Club, has agreed to join CREST’s Honorary Advisory Board. Jake was a keynote speaker at the Innovators Symposium in Grenada and has begun to work more closely with CREST in a number of areas. Puntacana, located in the Dominican Republic, is one of the oldest and most successful eco-‐resorts in the Caribbean. We thank all these outstanding leaders for their commitment to support and work with CREST!
Updates: CREST Board of Directors and Honorary Board
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CREST has been assisting an exciting destination-‐wide Travelers’ Philanthropy project in Cape Cod since its inception in 2012. CARE (Creating A Responsible Environment) for the Cape & Islands was created by Jill Talladay, who is the organization’s Director. In 2014, CARE has awarded funding to six different community-‐based and environmentally responsible projects, which help to preserve and protect the Cape’s unique qualities.
On June 10 – 12, CREST program associate Samantha Hogenson visited the area to help inspire support and participation among local tourism businesses and organizations to take part in these types of projects. Ms. Talladay organized two presentations on the importance of responsible travel and current initiatives in Cape Cod, sponsored by the Cape Cod, Falmouth, and Brewster Chambers of Commerce. Other panelists included Ian
Ives, Director at MA Audubon’s Long Pasture and Ashumet Wildlife Sanctuaries; Ron Zweig, Falmouth Water Quality Management Committee; and Jesse Mechling, Marine Education Director at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Ms. Hogenson offered an overview of responsible travel explained how tourism done right can conserve resources, sustain and enhance the culture and heritage of place, and teach travelers about why Cape Cod is so special. Data from CREST’s latest report, the 2014 Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics, was shared to help make the case that tourist choices are increasingly influenced by a destination or company’s sustainability practices, and that many tourists want to be involved in helping to preserve and protect the destination themselves. Other panelists shared many “green” opportunities currently underway in Cape Cod, with which both community members and travelers can be involved.
This summer, CREST has enjoyed the help of five phenomenal interns: • Johnson Zhaoxiang Hu, from Shandong, China, has recently completed has Master of Tourism Administration from The George Washington University (GWU), with an emphasis in hotel management. With a background in the private sector and CREST’s non-‐profit work, Johnson’s desire is to conduct online marketing for non-‐profits and help in finding business opportunities inside the sustainable travel sector.
Travelers' Philanthropy Spotlight: CREST Presents in Cape Cod Responsible Travel Workshops
Meet the CREST Summer Interns
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• Patricia Nunez is from México City, México and currently studying a M.A. in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University, with a specialization in conservation. With a corporate background a passion for volunteering, Patricia has the goal to find holistic solutions to issues impacting the environment, community and economy where development is sought.
• Sara McAulliffe is a recent graduate of the University of North Florida, studying English, philosophy, and history. Traveling from an early age and spending time living in a small village in Ireland sparked her interest in responsible travel and ecotourism. Working remotely as a research intern with CREST this summer, Sara will be beginning graduate work at Georgetown University in the fall.
• Tao Xu hails from Nanning, Guangxi Province, China, and has also recently completed his Master of Tourism Administration from GWU. With an emphasis in sustainable destination management, Tao’s goal is to apply responsible methods of tourism development and management to tourism destinations in China.
• Timothy Chan Lok Hin is from Hong Kong, China, and is currently a student at the City University of Hong Kong studying public policy, management, and politics. He is interested in working within the public or non-‐profit sector and is taking this opportunity at CREST to better understand how a U.S. non-‐profit functions.
CREST is, as always, thrilled to have these diverse and enthusiastic students on board who will be the future of responsible travel. If you're interested in a fall internship with CREST, contact CREST at [email protected].
Are you a business that would like to get involved with CREST, or are you a traveler ready to take an amazing trip? You’re in luck! CREST is holding our next eco-‐auction via Charitybuzz, September 17 – October 8. Charitybuzz has a network of 60,000+ active bidders and their website receives 600,000+ unique views per month. In addition, CREST promotes its eco-‐auctions to our database of over 10,000, which includes mostly experienced, well educated, and upper income travelers. CREST Eco-‐Auctions feature not only the fantastic vacations offered, but also highlight our donors’ CSR policies, awards, any certification, carbon offset, and/or travelers’ philanthropy programs. So far, packages will be available from Casa de San Francisco in Nicaragua, Ecoventura in the Galapagos, Fond Doux Resort & Plantation in St. Lucia, Intrepid Travel in Spain, Madidi Jungle Ecolodge in Boliva, Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens in Costa Rica, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge in Nepal, Yacutinga Lodge in Argentina, Rainforest Expeditions in Peru, True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada. Proceeds from the eco-‐auction will help to fund CREST’s day-‐to-‐day operations, research, and travelers’ philanthropy program. This is a great opportunity for travel businesses to get the word out about what their company has to offer, create or maintain a connection with CREST, and support our work in responsible travel!
CREST Fall Eco-‐Auction
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If your company would like to donate a trip, or if you know of a responsible travel company that would be a good fit, please contact CREST Program Associate, Samantha Hogenson.
Ecoventura's signature yacht, the Flamingo, explores the Galapagos
As part of CREST's program area, “Sharing Expertise and Providing Leadership”, CREST offers public presentations and workshops to help expand understanding of responsible tourism. In recent months these activities have included: International Monetary Fund (IMF): In June, CREST Co-‐Director Martha Honey gave a presentation, “Going Green: Origins, Growth & Importance of Ecotourism,” at the International Monetary Fund’s headquarters in Washington, DC. The talk examined the rises of ecotourism both globally and in the United States and highlighted recent trends including increasing consumer and industry demand for responsible tourism, rise of travelers’ philanthropy and voluntourism, transforming conventional tourism through sustainable tourism, and the growth of ‘green’ certification programs to measure environmental and social impacts of tourism. The noon time event, hosted by the IMF’s Environmental Sustainability department, was part of the Fund’s celebrations of World Environment Day. Stanford University: In early May, CREST hosted a forum at Stanford University to showcase some of its recent studies and to show its documentary film, “The Goose with the Golden Eggs.” The two-‐part forum, organized by CREST’s office at Stanford and held in the Center for Latin American Studies, included presentations centered on coastal tourism research by CREST Co-‐Directors William Durham and Martha Honey and Stanford professor Rodolfo Dirzo, who is affiliated with CREST.
Sharing Expertise ~ Providing Leadership
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It was followed by a showing of the new version of CREST’s documentary about the impacts of tourism on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Charlene Music, who made the film together with her husband Peter Jordan, presented the film. Some 50 people attended both events. “Tourism Literacy” Workshops in Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico: In mid-‐August, CREST Program Director David Krantz and consultant Juan Luna will hold workshops in Chihuahua and Sonora states in Northwest Mexico. The workshops for indigenous and community leaders and organizations involved in sustainable tourism will examine tourism development and trends in
each state, look at difference models of tourism, and provide case studies of successful community-‐based and indigenous tourism businesses in the Americas. In addition, workshop participants will present tourism projects they are involved in and describe what they see as the main threats and opportunities for sustainable tourism in each state. The workshops are supported by The Christensen Fund and the Inter-‐American Foundation and are intended for their grant recipients in Northwest Mexico.
Copper Canyon, Chihuahua, Mexico
Caribbean Tourism Watershed, TravelMole In follow up to the 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, Valere Tjolle of TravelMole discusses the significant challenges facing the Caribbean region and also the innovations in place, many of which were shared at the Symposium, that can make all the difference. Working Towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism, National Geographic News Watch Mark Spalding, CEO of The Ocean Foundation, shares his experience as a participant in the 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, including seven crucial take-‐aways that each individual should keep in mind when on the journey to sustainability. Philanthropy is about giving 'a hand up, rather than a handout', Blue & Green Tomorrow CREST Program Director, David Krantz, speaks with Blue & Green Tomorrow about Travelers' Philanthropy, "where tourism businesses and travellers are goign to extraordinary lengths". Documentary Examines Coastal Tourism in Costa Rica, Green Lodging News CREST's educational edition of The Goose with the Golden Eggs, has been received with much acclaim in the U.S. and is being used as an educational tool in Costa Rica among policy-‐makers
CREST in the News
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and communities affected by tourism-‐related development. Global Trends in Marine and Coastal Tourism, Free Nomads In this Free Nomads blog post, Dr. Martha Honey writes about the current state of marine and coastal tourism and the environmental and social impacts that come with unsustainable development. Reconstruction or Haiti's Latest Disaster? Tourism Development on Île-‐à-‐Vache Island, The Huffington Post This blog post is adapted from a presentation given by Jessica Hsu of Other Worlds and Jean Claudy Aristil of Radio VKM Les Cayes, at the CTO/CREST 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism. The presentation looks at community actions following the government's announcement for a large-‐scale tourism project plans on the small Haitian island of Île-‐à-‐Vache.
Online Photo Scrapbook Contest to Benefit CARE for the Cape & Islands Have you spent time on Cape Cod or the surrounding islands and fallen in love with it? Help showcase this special place through a great online scrapbook contest from www.WeNeedAVacation.com, which is helping to support CARE for the Cape and Islands, a CREST Travelers' Philanthropy program! The online scrapbook will be entered for a chance to win $500 toward yoru next Cape or Islands vacation. You compete against other entries approved in the month your entry was submitted: July, August or September. The top 6 per month will go to the finals. Green Growth and Travelism (GG&T) Summer School Be part of the first Summer School on ‘Green Growth and Travelism (GG&T)’: a combination of lectures by international experts, field visits and debate sessions on Green Growth, Travel & Tourism, Climate Change, Sustainable Mobility and Biodiversity. Held at Hasselt University (Belgium), August 25 -‐ 29, this education and networking event is for graduate students, industry change makers, and tomorrow's leaders. Registration is open: www.ggtsummerschool.be More information: [email protected] From Seed to Shelf: Ethical Consumerism from the Ground Up in Guatemala From Operation Groundswell, a socially and environmentally friendly travel company that is changing the way the world travels: "You consider yourself an informed consumer. Walking into a supermarket, the first words out of your mouth might be, “Is it Fair Trade?” or perhaps, “Is it organic?” But how does our food earn those labels? What are the intricacies of those certifications? It’s more than a label, more than a buzzword; it’s a way of life for millions of people...
Upcoming Events from Partners in Responsible Tourism
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Join Operation Groundswell in Guatemala this fall to reconnect with the origins of our food! We'll take you into the jungle to taste raw cacao straight out of the pod. We'll hike volcanoes to farm alongside coffee farmers while hearing about their daily struggle to live off this commodity crop. Help us peel back the curtain of industrial agriculture and see the challenges our food producers face every day. We will get our hands dirty working on a community-‐initiated project and cleanse our minds in the beautiful hot springs of Fuentes Georginas. Start your journey today and fill out our registration form to attend!"
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