Pondering on Tourism in a Tiny Caribbean Island

Tobago, a tiny Caribbean island, looks bigger as it hosts a meeting on sustainable tourism, a goal recognized as an imperative for the socio-political stability of a regional grouping of developing economies.

Suffice it to say that the Caribbean is the most tourism-dependant area in the world for its subsistence. Statistics show what this industry represents for the region.

Out of its 30 nations and territories, 17 of them get most of their revenues from this sector, which is rather sensitive to natural disasters and situations of socio-political instability.

This industry also proves very important for the region as a source of employment, as one fifth of all the jobs in the area are linked to it.

Therefore, it is a wise decision to debate such an invaluable resource for the Greater Caribbean, including Mexico, Venezuela, the Central American nations, and in particular the island-state territories.

The Seventh Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development adds to the efforts supporting the aforementioned goal. The meeting, opening tonight, will take place in Scarborough, Tobago´s largest town, until next Friday.

More than 200 government officials, experts, tour-operators, hoteliers and businesspersons will discuss experiences and initiatives focusing on the great challenge facing the region: using its touristic natural resources rationally while implementing environmental protection.

The scope of the challenge is made evident by other statistics. Last year the Caribbean received some 21.8 million visitors and the flow of tourists is expected to continue growing.

Those plans are reliant upon the destinations´ great attractions, ranging from the traditional offer of sun and beaches to ecotourism, as well as beautiful weather all year long and new investments.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the sponsors of the meeting along with the government of Trinidad and Tobago, are emphasizing a message that has been reiterated at most international conferences:

All stakeholders- governments, the private sector, tourists and the local population who welcome them- can and should make the central theme of the conference a common goal as a necessary effort to increase awareness of environmental protection.

The general motto of these conferences "Keeping the Right Balance" and that of this year´s meeting "Sustainable tourism through Diversity" clearly show what the region is aiming at. But new actions are required. Let´s hope this gathering will put some forward for the benefit of both tourists and the Caribbean peoples.