By Erica James-King, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE ENVIRONMENTAL Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) Project, an environmental management system for the tourism and manufacturing industries, will come to an end within eight months.
However, Hugh Cresser, EAST Project Co-ordinator is expressing optimism that the sound energy-conservation and environmental management techniques, which are being implemented in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors, will gain momentum even after the EAST programme is terminated.
"The EAST Project ends in March, but I feel the conservation initiatives in the tourism and manufacturing sectors will continue to grow from strength to strength," Mr. Cresser told The Gleaner during the Second Educational Symposium and Green Tourism Conference which is being staged at Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay. He said there was a growing awareness among hotels and businesses in general that they can benefit financially and operationally from 'green' programme; and therefore they were unlikely to slack off if the EAST programme ends.
Mr. Cresser added that tertiary institutions in the region also have been collaborating with EAST on tourism training programmes and these institutions will play a vital role in ensuring that professionals in the sector have ongoing access to environmental training.
The EAST Project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development and Mr. Cresser feels that the current conservation strategies in resorts/industries could get a shot in the arm after the EAST project is discontinued. "USAID is planning a new strategy for the next five years, and I am sure environmental issues will be part of that," remarked Mr. Cresser.
In her address at the Second Educational Symposium and Green Tourism Conference, Tourism Minister Aloun N'dombet Assamba urged the tourism sector to be more vigilant in preventing the occurrence of events that could negatively impact the tourism sector.
