The primary objective was to analyse and approve the Manual for Trainers prepared by ACS experts so that they could be used by countries when evaluating the sustainability levels of their Tourist Destinations.

What does this Manual offer?

This Manual is dedicated to Trainers who may be academics, experts in Tourism, the Environment, or other specialities, who would be responsible for carrying out training and implementation efforts in the different countries of the region.

Using a practical format, this Manual provides basic information on each of the Normative Indicators, several related Good Practices, as well as interesting information highlighting the importance or scope of the Indicators, which simplifies their application process for Trainers.

The Indicators are not an end in themselves, but rather tools that allow trends to be identified and objectives fulfilled, and which present the possibility of opportunely intervening, thus allowing well-founded decision making. When these indicators are well formulated, the changes continue throughout the entire lifecycle of the project and are crucial for effective and successful management, also transforming themselves into teaching and promotion mechanisms for achieving sustainability. Moreover, they assist in decision making with respect to planning and in determining the implications of development within the site in order to promote sustainability. They also allow economic, social and environmental impacts to be controlled at all levels.

During the Meeting, a special presentation was delivered by the expert from Mexico regarding the experience gained in the application of the System of Sustainability Indicators, as part of Agenda 21 for Mexican Tourism. These experiences, together with the documents prepared in this respect, will be used in the analysis and implementation process of the Manuals in the Caribbean region.

The participants of the Meeting also engaged in a Conference Call with the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), to evaluate and exchange opinions on efforts undertaken by both organisations.
Specific interest has been expressed in holding in 2004, the first regional joint ACS-WTO workshop, to apply the Manual for Trainers in one tourist site in Trinidad and Tobago: Chaguaramas.

One of the main characteristics of indicators is that they are not static. With time, their usefulness could decline and the need could also arise for new indicators in the event that they can no longer adequately control changes, the original objectives have already been accomplished or if new problems emerge.
Another significant characteristic is that they must be simple and easy to apply in destinations so that any territory could be incorporated into the process.

A double set of indicators has been formulated in order to reconcile a comprehensive process at the Greater Caribbean level and a local process, adjusted to needs and abilities of the territories.

It was indicated that approving this Manual is a significant step forward in the implementation process of the Sustainable Tourism Zone of the Greater Caribbean.

Dr Zoila González Maicas is Director of Sustainable Tourism of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

(end)

18 June, 2004