by Brian Major
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Wed December 10, 2014
Photo: Antigua tourism stakeholders will launch a sustainable tourism action plan in 2015. (Photo by Brian Major).
Tourism stakeholders in Antigua and Barbuda are planning a new tourism action program that hinges on government and private-sector tourism sustainability initiatives. Antigua will launch the plan with support from a major cruise line.
Announced this week by Antigua and Barbuda's Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Antigua's tourism action plan will aim to develop a sustainable tourism strategy for the country. The plan will also seek to establish community-based cultural tourism projects in Antigua and Barbuda and map cultural heritage sites across the twin-island nation.
The action plan was formulated during an August gathering of tourism organizations under the banner of the Sustainable Destinations Alliance for the Americas (SDAA). The forum received funding from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s. Ocean Fund; other partners include the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and the United States Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States.
"Antigua and Barbuda is performing well as it relates to its prioritization of sustainable tourism," said Asot Michael, the country's minister of tourism. "However… there are some critical areas we need to address," he said, including "quality and sustainability standards for key sectors of the industry, visitor management planning and coastal zone management."
Michael said the ministry of tourism has established a sustainable tourism department to work alongside stakeholder groups to "bring the three key initiatives to fruition, with a goal of producing tangible results within the next 12 months."
"We are confident that we can further improve the way we manage tourism - our most critical sector - to ensure its long-term sustainability," said Michael.
"We believe that responsible tourism can play a role in fostering sustainability," said Rich Pruitt, Vice President, Safety and Environmental Stewardship, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We are optimistic about the actions Antigua and Barbuda are planning to take toward ensuring its long-term viability as a place to live and work and as a travel destination."
Antigua's sustainability plan comes as the country embarks on a series of large-scale tourism development projects.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently announced an agreement with star actor Robert DeNiro for a $250 million resort on Barbuda, and named DeNiro, a frequent visitor, a "special economic envoy" of the country. Earlier this year the government announced plans for a $2 billion, 1,600-acre "mega-resort" on land formerly owned by disgraced former financier Allen Stanford.
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