Delegates at STC-7 Advised to Explore Multi-Sectoral Approach to Tourism Planning

All stakeholders in the hospitality industry should play an equal role in policy planning for sustainable tourism development, Luis Chaves, adviser to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), told participants at the 7th Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-7) that has drawn the attention to host Tobago.

Chaves, whose presentation dealt with "Policy Making and Integration as a Key Starting Point for Sustainable Tourism Intersectoral Planning," told delegates there was a need for communication and consultation among stakeholders, which he said would allow for greater coordination and minimize divergences among them.

This position was supported by Hugh Cresser, coordinator of the

Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) program in Jamaica and Deirdre Shurland, executive director of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) in Puerto Rico.

Cresser who addressed delegates on "Product Development: Innovative Ideas to make it Sustainable" drew on his experience with the Destination Management Program implemented in the Jamaican parish of Portland.

He said the first phase of the planned implementation strategy of the program focused on the identification of the key stakeholders from both public and private sector groups, achieving "buy-in" from other relevant groups in the wider community.

It also included the hosting of workshops on environmental best practices to sensitize the community to the concept of sustainable development.

The four-day event is being held under theme "Keeping the Right Balance: Sustainable Tourism through Diversity".