STB: Business Community called upon to Participate in Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards

The Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) is encouraging the Sint Maarten business community to participate in the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards 2019.

According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards are aimed at identifying and showcasing Sustainable Tourism Good Practices in the Caribbean.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) the Honourable Stuart Johnson, said that integrating sustainability in tourism and hospitality businesses is key to continued growth and expansion.

“In this post-Irma era, we need to do things differently. We have to build back better; one has to have contingency plans in place to counter and recover quickly after a national disaster.

“Sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand and therefore sustainable consumption and production factors need to be part of operational procedures for public and private sectors.

“I encourage the business sector to participate and profile their sustainable initiatives as we all work together to promote sustainable tourism,” Hon. Minister Stuart Johnson said on Thursday.

The CTO says, the awards recognize individuals, groups, organizations or companies in any of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Member Countries which have developed responsible tourism products or are engaged with implementing initiatives that embrace sustainable tourism concepts and core values. These initiatives should also help to enhance the country’s tourism product offerings and advance sustainable and responsible tourism in the Caribbean.

The deadline to submit entries runs up to June 30, 2019. You can use the following link to download the rules and guidelines related to the participation in the contest: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fvMF2ThfoPZLAOS9pqn2ErQSnAOblE-s/view

Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau Director May-Ling Chun on Wednesday said this is an opportunity for the business community to participate and showcase their sustainable tourism good practices.

The CTO says that only CTO Allied, Affiliate Members, and Member Countries are eligible to apply. In the case where Allied or Affiliate Members operate outside the Caribbean region, only activities or business operations that take place within the Caribbean are eligible for entry. The CTO member countries appear in the country drop-down list on each application form.