SAN JUAN, P.R.—“Enhancing the Business of Tourism—The Path to Sustainability” is the general theme of the Green Globe International Conference and the Green Tourism Conference to be held November 1 to 3 at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The conference is a joint staging of the second biennial International Green Globe Conference (the inaugural edition was held March 2004 in New Zeeland) and the third biennial Caribbean Green Tourism Conference.
The 2006 edition is being organized by the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) with the assistance of its parent organization, the Caribbean Hotel Assn., and Green Globe Asia Pacific (GGAP). The goal of the conference is to determine the sustainability priorities and actions that GGAP, CAST and their industry partners must pursue over the next two years, in service to the regional tourism industry.
The Green Globe International & Green Tourism Conference program is structured around three main topics: Tourism Sustainability; Achieving Market Value Added; and Innovative Practices. On the first day, participants will have the opportunity to discuss current sustainability problems in order to redefine the urgency for actions and solutions. In addition, they will study sustainability strategies in Jamaica and Dominica, as well as the public-private sector collaboration role within the tourism industry.
Products & Technology Focus
Day two will focus on sustainable tourism marketing products and includes a plenary session with a Green Suppliers’ Forum on Products & Technology. Energy conservation, wastewater treatment, sustainable building design, and air quality are some of the issues to be addressed on the second day of the conference, which will also include a discussion forum for participants of the Green Globe Caribbean Program.
Activities will culminate with the case presentations from award-winning properties—the 2006 American Express Caribbean Environmental Award winners Sandals Montego Bay (large hotel category) and 3 Rivers Eco Lodge (small hotel category). Both will share their experiences and challenges innovating and implementing sustainable business practices in their hotel operations.
Other conference highlights are a gala opening with a featured speaker, a trade fair of sustainability products and solutions, nature tours, and informal functions with opportunities for networking and exploring the best of Jamaica, among other activities.
Registration is now open for all tourism-related companies and industry sectors. For more information, go to www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com.
