Sustainable Tourism

(Dive Travel Business News - January 25, 2012) -- At the 30th anniversary opening of Caribbean Marketplace 2012, held January 22-24 at Atlantis Paradise Resort Bahamas, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Josef Forstmayr spoke to the dirth of competition in the regional airline industry  that is stifling the tourism sector resulting in outrageous ticket prices and an ill-conceived network, lacking a true regional airline system. 

Addressing hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators and buyers from the regional and international community at the official opening of CHTA Caribbean Marketplace 2012, Forstmayr remarked that the CHTA estimated that in 2010, the Caribbean governments collectively paid US$45 million to secure airlift, only to find that the situation is still inadequate and way too expensive for visitors. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 22, 2012) -- This article is provided by shark specialist Debbie Smith, owner of  eco-tourism company Diving With Sharks. Her specialty area is annual Sardine Run in South Africa. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 18, 2012) -- Dusit International has revealed its first venture into the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by a vibrant 360 degree coral reef and turquoise lagoon, the Dusit Thani will feature 100 villas (46 beach villas, two beach houses, 30 water villas, 20 ocean villas, and two ocean houses), tree top spa and 3 restaurants and bars as well as other utilities relating to the resort business.  The resort is also home to the largest infinity pool in the Maldives. Also available will be tennis courts, dive centre and extensive water activities in and around the resort.

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives is 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé. Baa Atoll is not only home to Dusit Thani Maldives but also has the distinction of being a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Surrounding the island perimeter, the living house reef is a snorkeler’s paradise, ideal for discovering an underwater world just metres from the beach. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 18, 2012) -- Hong-Kong based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced its "Sustainable Seafood Policy" including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect.

Future banquet bookings made prior to this date will be honoured as per the signed contractual agreement. At the same time, Shangri-La announced that it will phase out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. In December 2010 the company initiated the process with the removal of shark fin products from its restaurant menus. The new policy is a continuation of Shangri-La's journey towards environmental support.

The company launched its first CSR initiatives in 2005 which were streamlined and formalised in 2009 in the three main areas of Sustainability, Embrace and Sanctuary towards a strategic commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 11, 2012) -- The World Ocean Council (WOC) efforts to create an unprecedented cross-sectoral industry alliance for leadership on ocean sustainability has got the attention of the United Nations. WOC will participate in the U.N. Secretary General’s five-person ocean expert group to help shape international efforts for ocean sustainability. In addition to the private sector WOC, the four other experts in the group represent government, academic and non-government organizations will join the Ocean Expert group.

The oceans have been declared as one of 8 thematic priorities for the upcoming “Rio + 20” – the U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development taking place in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012.   The U.N. Secretary General’s ocean expert group will develop an "Oceans Compact" for this event. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - Nov 30, 2011) --  Just one sting from the luminous jellyfish can halt on anyone’s snorkeling or dive vacation. Fortunately, most jellyfish stings are harmless, but they have the potential to be very painful. To keep underwater adventures free from pain, Reef Safe™ byTropical Seas® has created the new Sting Cooler™ Jelly Fish Sting Relief.

Available in a spray or gel, the biodegradable Sting Cooler™ Jelly Fish Sting Relief solution provides maximum relief from the discomfort associated with stings from jellyfish, man-o-wars, sand fleas, sea lice, fire coral, and many other stinging marine creatures. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - Nov 9, 2011) -- With more than 400 servings of a new menu item last month, Bimini Big Game Club‘s General Manager Michael Weber and Chef Alvarez Bastian have found a recipe to help the environment and sate the most discriminating palate at the same time.

The Bimini Big Game Club’s Panko Breaded Lionfish Nuggets are the talk of the island, a gourmand’s answer to a tasty snack and an eco-solution for helping to rid nearby reefs of an aggressive and non-native predator.

“Our lionfish nuggets have become a huge seller. Though we don’t serve endangered species such as grouper – and we were the first Bahamas resort to feature a shark free marina - we have absolutely no problem turning lionfish into a menu item,” said Weber. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - November 3, 2011) --  Icelandic whalers are trying to win tourists over to their point of view, offering them the chance to go to see with them, feel harpoons and eat whale meat and blubber.

Now after being alerted to the fact that whale meat is on sale at an Icelandic airport, the British Foreign Office has issued a stiff warning to Britons not to bring home any whale meat, saying to do so is in breach of international law protecting endangered species.

Penalties of imprisonment or fines up to £5,000 could be meted out by the courts, says the Foreign Office, because importation into Britain and other EU countries is illegal under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (Cites). Up to 70,000 Britons who visit Iceland each year however so far there have been no reports of whale meat on sale in the UK or being seized at the border. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - August 23, 2011) -- Green Globe today announced the recertification of Atlantis Submarines, Barbados. Atlantis Submarines was first certified in December 2008. This flagship company has demonstrated its continued focus and commitment to sustainable tourism, directing resources and funds to maintain its Green Globe certification status. 

Green Globe Certification CEO, Guido Bauer said, ‘Atlantis Submarines is a truly unique tourism experience which offers an educational platform for travelers to learn about our precious marine environment.’

‘Barbados is one of Green Globe’s most committed destinations with all the important tourism businesses certified or in the process of certification. Atlantis Submarines Barbados was one of the first to join Green Globe and since 2008 has been a beacon for responsible tourism practices’, added Mr Bauer. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - September 30, 2011) -- The increasing demand for ecotourism can play a vital role in saving endangered forests, a United Nations-backed partnership said today, while also warning of the potential damaging effects if its expansion is not effectively managed.

According to the findings of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), which consists of 14 international organizations and secretariats, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the benefits of ecotourism flowing to local businesses are dramatically higher than those from mass tourism, providing an incentive to local communities to take care of their environment.

“Ecotourism has a far greater potential for contributing to income and livelihoods in poor rural communities than what is realized,” said FAO’s Edgar Kaeslin, a forestry officer in wildlife and protected area management. read more »