Mind-set of people needs to change- TB Chairman
Mr. Blyden was speaking at the launch of the BVITB’s Sustainable Tourism Environmental Programme (STEP) and Green Globe at the BVI Tourist Board, Conference Room yesterday November 2, 2011.
According to Mr. Blyden, the environment is the biggest drawing card that the BVI has and everyone, whether VIslander or expat, has to have a responsibility to sustain it while pointing out with disgust at the irresponsible manner some persons handle their everyday garbage and oil changes for their vehicles.
“The bigger picture has to be addressed, the picture of the mind-set of the people to know that this is where you live be it for a year, 20 years or forever, and you have some kind of responsibility...A good portion of the people that inhabit the British Virgin Islands, I would put it this way, just don't think. I am not going to say they are wilful in their neglect of the way they carry themselves but they just don't think...”
The BVITB Chairman thus called for a whole hearted commitment from the population towards sustainable tourism and environment practices and noted that the Board is committing to have its employees adopt a green lifestyle.
“I know there has been a down turn in the economy last couple years but the boom is coming. It is catching itself and the BVI is going to feel it because people are looking for pristine places and we still are pristine. We just have to maintain it now and when they come we have to be able to live that way. And most people in the world are getting more and more aware of their surrounding and people who are living that lifestyle are going to attract them.
Mr. Blyden also said the STEP programme has the backing of the Board and Government but warned it was not a quick fix solution. He also said he hoped that the four properties that are going to pilot the programme are shining examples. Those properties are Agape Cottages, Myett’s Garden Inn, Serendipity House and Gordian House.
Meanwhile, Director of the BVITB, Hadassah Ward said she was excited that the Board was enabling small properties to engage in the Sustainable Tourism Environmental Programme not just for environment sake but because it was assisting those entities to save.
She added that over the years sustainable tourism has become an urgent matter and added that the Board has long been focused on developing tourism in a responsible way including sustaining both product and market.
Ms. Ward also said the world has changed drastically, not only because of the financial crisis but the people being marketed to have changed and hence the VI had to also evolve. She recalled attending a press conference in Bermuda earlier this year where the Premier of that Territory lamented how Bermuda had a strong tourism industry but it was suddenly gone because the people they were marketing to and their product had disintegrated and hence they had to redefine themselves. She said for her it was a call to action for vision and understanding what the VI’s remit was. “...which is to ensure the viability and sustainability of tourism and tourism growth cannot be at the expense of the environment or people.”
The BVITB Director said sustainable tourism and environmental practices have to be a way of living, “not just a green globe programme here”.
Meanwhile, Tetra Tech (TT), an international consulting engineering and project management services firm which supports government and commercial clients by providing innovative solutions focussed on water, environment, and energy, has been contracted by the BVITB to implement STEP.
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