Back on May 3, 2008, Barbados Free Press asked Will Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary Be Nominated For The 2008 Skål International Ecotourism Awards? That was a follow-up to another article we wrote about the awards in November 2007 (link here).
Now our friend Keith over at The Temas Blog is encouraging his readers to Nominate a LAC Candidate for the Skål Ecotourism Award!
Keith says he’s not going to comment on particular nominee for the Skål award, but a little birdy tells us that he’s backing a project in the Dominican Republic.
OK Keith… may the best project win – but if we had any money we’d bet on the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in Barbados. They should be a shoe-in for this prestigious international award.
8 Comments
June 11, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Actually, guys, I was serious in what I said about not endorsing any one project in The Temas Blog. Many worthy ecotourism projects throughout Latin America & the Caribbean, which is the Temas ambit! Maybe I should instead publish a list on Temas of worthy candidates, such as Graeme Hall?
I might endorse a Dominican-based project on the other blog I participate in, The Green Team, but that’s only because it’s DR-focused.
Let me say, though, that Graeme Hall is a sentimental pick high on my personal list! I would be quite happy to see it win, particularly if helps Graeme Hall survive the pressures and challenges it faces.
Warm Regards,
Keith R
June 12, 2008 at 12:53 pm
It was hard to believe what I read in this morning’s papers of words coming from the Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority, no less, that our whole coastline should be given over to tourism development, and that we should bring on the water parks, the theme parks and even an “invented” rainforest park, to attract US tourists. News for Ralph Taylor, if US tourists want to go to Disneyworld, then they can do it a lot cheaper by flying to Orlando or California. I submit that such a policy, if carried through would totally destroy Barbados as a tourist destination. How dangerous can it be for this country when someone with such extreme opinions is handed the top job in tourism? When he compares us with Cuba, he’s comparing 166 square miles with thousand of square miles – a few miles of coastline with hundreds of miles of coastline. It’s a disgrace, and should be resisted at every turn.
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BFP says,
AMEN BROTHER!!!! AMEN.
June 12, 2008 at 2:04 pm
“Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority, no less, that our whole coastline should be given over to tourism development.”
The spin on this comment will be entertaining.
I think we will need a ferry service to take Bajans to St.Vincent for sea baths and we can provide a Bus to take West coast fishermen to Consett Bay.
This way we can leave the West coast for “Tourism”.
What doy you think Adrian L.
June 12, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I think maybe he was reflecting his personal views, because I certainly do not share the theme and waterpark philosophy, nor does it fit in with our tourism profile.
I really feel we have to go back to the basics of tourism and understand WHY visitors come back!
Its down to the level of service they receive, the surroundings, a feeling of safety and security and well being.
Get those basics right and almost everything else will follow.
We also have to look VERY carefully at our rapidly ageing target market.
5 years from now, what will they want to do?
10 years from now, again what will they want do?
Bearing this in mind, if I had the choice of turning Graeme Hall into a National Botanical Gardens or building a waterpark, guess which I would choose?
We have drifted, as the late Peter Morgan, so accurately described it, without a tourism rudder for nearly fifteen years.
Its time now, to stop, seriously consider and evolve a 10 to 20 year plan of EXACTLY where our tourism product is going.
June 12, 2008 at 3:07 pm
If you’re thinking of visiting Europe on your Bajan passport you’ll need a Schengen Visa.
Think twice and very hard about just how badly you need to visit any of the Schengen territories. Applying for a S.Visa is close to nightmare stuff – LOTS of hoops to jump thru.
And you thought applying for a US Visa was difficult?
That was relatively easy.
EU is “BigBrother” – not Uncle Sam!
June 12, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Sad to heard what the new Tourism Minister said, peltdownman. Especially since it seems to so closely echo the words and attitude of the Dominican Republic’s Tourism Minister, Felix Jimenez. Since 2004 he has often given lip service to the concept of eco-tourism (not so much sustainable tourism, which is not necessarily the same thing and Jimenez would not understand the concept), while he and the Ministry under his direction have frequently (sometimes it seems more like “constantly”) undermined the work of the Environment Ministry…. I sincerely hope Barbados does not go down that path.
I also agree strongly with the wise words of Adrian.
June 12, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I am alarmed by the theory that the coastline should be for “Tourism” development.
Does anyone enjoy the scenery between Paynes and Holetown? Not likely.
The “windows to the sea along Prospect and Fitts village are very “refreshing” spaces that reminds us that we are on an Island.
The Coast and beaches of Barbados must be shared by all.
“Chefette Holetown site” should be the last window closed between Bridgetown and Speightstown but that is wishful thinking.
June 12, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Eco? Barbados?
in the same breath? LOL!
Maybe Bajans reckon Graeme Hall is some wondrous eco-project
but it strikes me as being quite average clever land/swamp usage for what it is.
If G.Hall wins out of all the eco-projects WORLDWIDE
I’d be verrrry surprised!
yes it’s nice, even very nice,
but it’s simply not THAT cute, sorry!