Being Green doesn’t
require rocket science
By Alita Singh
TRINIDAD--It’s not rocket science to build or operate an environmentally friendly resort or hotel. It simply takes commitment, International Tourism Partnership (ITP) Executive Director Lyndall De Marco told investors, developers and hoteliers attending the twelfth annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) in Trinidad.
The tourism industry, particularly that of the Caribbean, has more responsibility to protect and preserve the environment from which its earnings come and “Being Green” makes sense, but requires management and staff to understand the importance, De Marco said.
ITP, commissioned by the Prince of Wales who is an avid environmentalist, works in partnership with 19 world hotel brands to fuel responsible tourism through the creation and development of workable environmental options.
Being Green is not “a project,” but a focused effort that requires policy and a framework. Make green options fun for the people involved by showing them the benefits of conservation, De Marco said. Training of staff is paramount because if they don’t know the reason for being green, the concept is lost and will not be followed.
She suggested environmental management through competitions among resort departments that emphasised conservation of power, water and all elements that encompass going green. Put meters on everything to monitor usage, because this is the only way to properly track whether implemented options are reaching their goals.
Taking a stab at Green Certifications, she said a blanket standard system to regulate all sectors of the tourism industry was the main reason the Go Green Policy had failed. Each establishment and sector is unique and requires an approach to fit its dynamics. “Getting a piece of paper is not enough.”
Resorts can be more proactive by making simple changes such asking for sustainable products, less packaging and recycled materials. “Remember, you are the customer,” she said.
Going Green should not cost more, De Marco said. Retrofitting an existing building may require substantial investments to go green, but changes in operation can change by staff becoming more aware of their role in the going green chain.
She told delegates that some resorts were instilling the need for destination and ultimately job protection by exposing their staff to Al Gore’s Academy Award-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” which chronicles the ravage of climate change.
However, investors and developers consider going green costly, particularly when building. Without government mandate and guests demanding green options, the industry will continue to implement only options that don’t affect their bottom line.
Discussing “Going Green” when developing a hotel or resort, developers pointed out that while there was willingness, some options were not possible in the Caribbean. As the price of oil continues to increase, the need for alternative energy such as solar power is great, but with prohibitive legislation in many Caribbean countries, incorporating this into new or existing properties is nearly impossible.
Going Green is a main focus of CHTIC as the tourism industry grapples with the effects environmental destruction and climate change will have on its survival. The three-day conference that brings together investors looking to pool resources in the Caribbean with destinations comes to an end today, Thursday.
