Major dollars in eco-tourism
Date: Thu 08-Jul-1993
Paper Page: 15
Publication: Daily Nation
Byline: Cheryl Harewood

BARBADOS has the resources to increase its foreign exchange earnings by
promoting the island as an eco-tourism destination.

And, so strong is her belief that this would be a step in the right direction
for the country's tourism industry, that internationally-acclaimed
environmentalist, Nancy Pearlman, plans to start her own marketing in the
United States and Australia later this year through her television and radio
programmes.

Pearlman, who helped in organising the first Earth Day back in 1970, was
recently in the island as an eco-tourism consultant to local tourism and
government officials, as well as a guest of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

The United Nations Environment Programmes Global 500 Laureate holds the view,
however, that while Barbados has many of the necessary resources which are
needed to push eco-tourism, further development still has to be undertaken.

The host of the widely publicised television and radio programme ECO-NEWS, the
United States' longest running weekly television programme show which is
viewed on 87 cable outlets to local organisations, government schools and
university channels, has pointed out such places as Jack-in-the Box Gully and
East Coast Road as "potentially stunning sites for eco-tourism development".

But she has stressed that Barbados as a whole, has a lot more to offer the
visitor than sun, sea and sand.

"This island is a great place for a triathlon, swimming, and bicycling. There
are also gorgeous gullies for a hiking system, outdoor adventure, flora and
fauna and wonderful potentials for natural areas to be developed as
sanctuaries, parks and board walks", says Pearlman.

She also told NATION BUSINESS that the development of a natural park has also
been recommended to the relevant authorities.

"All visitors do not wish to go to the sea. There are people in the United

States for example, who are interested in conservation and the environment and
who are looking for natural destinations which places emphasis on natural
sites of ecological significance.

"They are also those who are interested in learning about the history and
culture of the places which they visit," the environmentalist stressed.

"The moment you set aside a place for a natural park it becomes known. People
are attracted to such locations," says Pearlman, who has also indicated that
Barbados has the resource groups such as the National Trust to realise such a
project.

"Such a facility will also give volunteers a chance to meet visitors who have
the same interests," she reckons.

Pearlman has also indicated to officials that Barbados does not need a glut of
hotels, but rather, everything should be done to fully utilise the natural
resources available."

Barbados' sea turtles have also caught the attention of this athlete and
mountain climber, who has suggested that everything be done to preserve sea
turtles as a wildlife attraction.

Pearlman, who spent most of her seven days' visit climbing, hiking and
visiting most of the island's popular tourist attractions, also holds the view
that the proper marketing development of the island as an eco-tourism
destination could boost Barbados' ailing foreign exchange.

"Eco-tourism is a way of bringing in foreign exchange. The monies collected as
a result of visits from the various parks and sanctuaries, can be re-invested
for further development of the island", she suggested.

The environmentalist has warned, however, that while marketing strategies are
being considered, one of the greatest problems officials could face, might be
the protection and preservation of natural places.

She has therefore suggested that Barbados maintain the maritime regulations
and programmes already in place so as to discourage any form of illegal
dumping.

Pearlman, who has climbed more than 100 mountains and visited more than 50
different countries, has also endorsed the idea of educating the public,
particularly the very young, on environmental issues.

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