The Blue Flag Campaign in the Caribbean Caribbean Regional Consortium

Caribbean Tourism Organization

Caribbean Conservation Association Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ………….. What is it? The Blue Flag is an exclusive voluntary eco-label awarded to more than 2800 and marinas in 23 countries across Europe and in 2002 Owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Symbol of high environmental standards as well as superior sanitary and safety facilities at beaches/marinas

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ………….. What is it?

The Blue Flag Campaign includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators

Originally developed in (1985) Since 1987 launched in Europe (FEEE)

www.blueflag.org

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..what are its objectives ?

Improve understanding and protection of coastal and marine environment Promote incorporation of environmental issues in decision-making process of authorities and their partners Achieve self-regulation by industry to meet environmental standards

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..Who does it target? local authorities the general public the tourism industry other major stakeholders

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..What criteria?

Imperative or Guideline criteria Beaches and Marinas Both cover 4 aspects: o Water Quality (regular testing and reporting) o Environmental Education & Information (public outreach) o Environmental Management (protection, safety, cleanliness) o Safety and Facilities (services and infrastructure)

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..Monitoring?

National operators Self-regulation Public plays important role Blue Flags awarded annually, can be removed at any time if criteria not achieved or upheld

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..What is a Blue Flag ?

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach? Clean and analyzed sea water Environmental Information and education Clean sand and regular solid waste disposal Security and first aid services Easy and safe access to the beach Signage and enforcement of coastal legislation Potable water and sanitary facilities No motor vehicles circulation No pets allowed on beach( some exceptions)

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach?

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ..What users expect from a Blue Flag Beach?

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean

Caribbean Region: 33 countries from the English, Spanish, French and Dutch Caribbean

Independent States and Overseas Territories of France, UK and the

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean Transferring the Blue Flag to the Caribbean:

1. Initial meeting : Dec. 1999 – UNEP/WTO/CAST 2. Conducted a feasibility study: 2000 3. Selected a regional consortium: Barbados, May 2001 First meeting

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean The Blue Flag Caribbean Consortium: Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional tourism development agency for the Caribbean. 32 Countries. Public/Private sector members Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) Oldest environmental regional body in the Caribbean (38 years old), 18 Caribbean governments, 19 NGO’s, several hundred individual and corporate members Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Caribbean Hotel Association’s environmental arm. Development of sustainable tourism standards

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

4. Determining the pilot phase criteria: First Co- ordinators Meeting - March 2002 - Dom. Republic 5. Define the scope and extent of the campaign 6 Select beaches for pilot phase 7 Select National Committees 8. Raise public awareness 9. LAUNCH the public campaign: Pilot Phase Nov. 2002

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Criteria

The Caribbean criteria are taking into account:

regional environmental conditions (and threats!) socio-economic conditions institutional and legal frameworks: local, regional, and international

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Criteria The criteria have been designed so that they: address priority environment and tourism issues be attainable by all countries involved be capable of being monitored and controlled and consistent be simple to implement represent an improvement with respect to the status quo maintain the International Blue Flag quality

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean The Caribbean Blue Flag National Committees Suggested composition: National water quality authorities National authorities in charge of national policies on ICZM and nature protection National tourism & environment authorities National marine associations National associations of local authorities and interests NGOs representing environmental and community interests and environmental education National representative of the tourism trade National consumers’ association and safety boards

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean The Caribbean Blue Flag Pilot Countries (as of November 2002): Antigua & Barbuda Jamaica Guadeloupe Puerto Rico Venezuela

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

Puerto Rico beaches: - Monserrate Beach- Municipality of Luquillo - Carolina Beach-Municipality of Carolina - El Escambron beach – San Juan - Flamenco Beach – Municipality of Culebra

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign Carolina …..nowBeach in the Caribbean

§ Three miles of sandy beach on the Atlantic .

§ It is the closest beach to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

§ It has service, safety and information infrastructure that needs improvements to meet Blue Flag criteria.

§ The Carolina Public Beach is administered by the Carolina Municipality.

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

Jamaica Beaches: - Long Bay beach – Negril in Westmoreland/Hanover - Doctors Cove Bathing Club – Montego Bay, St. James - Dolphin’s Cove – Ocho Rios, St. Ann - Frenchman’s Cove – Port Antonio, Portland - Dunn’s River, Ocho Rios, St. Ann Marina: - New Marina development in Port Antonio

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean Dolphin Cove, Jamaica

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

Dominican Republic Beaches:

- Bayahibe Beach- Casa del Mar segment- Province of Altagracia

- Bayahibe Beach – Club Dominicus segment – Province of Altagracia

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean Bayahibe Beach, Dominican Republic

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

Venezuela Beaches:

- Adicora Beach – Paraguana Peninsula, state of Falcon

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean Adicora Beach, Paraguana Peninsula, Venezuela

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

- The Bahamas:

- Our Lucaya Marina, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign …..now in the Caribbean

Special issues for the Caribbean: Hotels / Hotel association as beach managers Beaches with restricted public access Coral reefs – beaches linkages, including diving operators Community involvement Public reporting of water quality

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean Pilot Phase Time Frame: Launch of Pilot Year 2002-2003 in December - signs on 14 beaches/marinas. New countries can join up to December 30, 2002 Criteria tested and finalized by Oct. 2003 National juries receive applications and a Regional Jury makes selections of candidates First Blue Flags in the region by winter 2004?

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 The Blue Flag Campaign ….now in the Caribbean

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002 Many thanks for your attention! PENELOPE HYNAM Blue Flag Representative CARIBBEAN CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

Blue Flag CCA AGM Nov 2002