IMPROVING FOREST AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Ecotourism The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. GCP/TRI/004/GFF IMPROVING FOREST AND PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Susan Otuokon. July 2013 Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Ecotourism Potential in Trinidad and Tobago ...................................................................................... 8 1.1 Ecotourism .......................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Ecotourism in Trinidad and Tobago: Current Situation Analysis ................................................. 9 1.2.1 Natural Resources .............................................................................................................. 10 1.2.2 Protected Areas ................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.3 Benefits to Conservation ..................................................................................................... 12 1.2.4 Environmental Management and Low Visitor Impact ........................................................ 14 1.2.5 Education and Interpretation ............................................................................................... 14 1.2.6 Benefits and Involvement of Local Community ................................................................. 15 1.2.7 National Ecotourism Policy ................................................................................................ 15 1.3 Strategies for Ecotourism and User Fee Development in PAs.................................................... 16 1.3.1 Planning .............................................................................................................................. 17 1.3.2 Ecotourism Development and Management ....................................................................... 18 1.3.3 User Fee Development ........................................................................................................ 18 1.3.4 Marketing ............................................................................................................................ 19 1.3.5 Funding ............................................................................................................................... 19 1.4 Locally Adaptable Best Practices ................................................................................................... 20 1.5 Selection of two PAs for Ecotourism Development under the GEF Project .............................. 23 2. Ecotourism Development and Management Plans ............................................................................. 27 2.1 Caroni Swamp Forest Reserve, Trinidad .......................................................................................... 29 2.2 Main Ridge Forest Reserve, Tobago ........................................................................................... 34 2.3 Recommendations for Other Sites .............................................................................................. 36 3. Analysis of risks, threats and barriers to development and proposed mitigation strategies ................ 37 4. Capacity Needs for Ecotourism Management .................................................................................... 42 References ................................................................................................................................................... 46 APPENDIX 1 – Mission Report ................................................................................................................. 47 APPENDIX 2 - Mid-Term Stakeholders Consultation – Presentation by Ecotourism Specialist .............. 52 APPENDIX 3 - Notes from Site Visits ....................................................................................................... 53 Appendix 4 - Project Outcome/Output and Activity Table ........................................................................ 59 Executive Summary There are several definitions of “ecotourism” but critical components are:- nature-based along with any associated cultural features, benefits to conservation of the natural (and cultural) resources it relies on, benefits to and involvement of, local communities environmental education and interpretation environmental management low visitor impact The rich natural resources and associated cultural heritage of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago provide a strong basis for development of ecotourism in the country. Several private sector and community-based entities are taking advantage of the opportunities for ecotourism. The national system of protected areas however, requires strengthening with respect to improved conservation of the flora and fauna and specifically with respect to ecotourism development and management. With respect to improved conservation of biodiversity and other natural resources, there is an urgent need to address the overlapping and cumbersome system that currently exists and also to place more focus on practical action for biodiversity conservation. The National Tourism Policy (MOT, 2010) identified environmental degradation as one of the threats tourism faces and the tourism stakeholders interviewed expressed concern about the state of the country’s natural resources. With respect to ecotourism development and management, a number of issues will need to be addressed and the establishment of the National Forest and Protected Area Management Authority (NFPAMA) along with the proposed GEF Project and associated projects will be critical. The National Ecotourism Policy and Strategy should be finalised jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and its agencies along with civil society organisations. In addition to the need to address improved management of the National Protected Area System, the key issues constraining ecotourism development in Trinidad and Tobago are:- • Lack of a user fee system • Limited involvement of tour operators in conservation • Inadequate facilities & services • Inadequate regulation of numbers/activities • Limited capacity for ecotourism/visitor management • Limitation of tour guides • Limited national level marketing The full report of the Ecotourism Specialist provides significant detail including templates and information that can be used in establishing ecotourism in the new Protected Area System for Trinidad and Tobago. In Chapter 1, the report details the potential, opportunities and inadequacies for the establishment of ecotourism in the Trinidad and Tobago Protected Area System. This chapter also recommends strategies for the establishment of ecotourism including a user fee system and provides an overview of locally adaptable best practices and a list of useful documents is provided within the References. Chapter 2 provides information to guide Ecotourism Development and Management within the System generally and within the two selected sites specifically. Chapter 3 addresses Barriers, Risks and Threats along with Mitigation Strategies and Chapter 4 deals with Capacity Needs and recommendations. The following are key recommendations to make ecotourism operational within the two selected protected areas within the context of establishment of ecotourism within the wider system of national protected areas. Key Recommendations for Implementation under the GEF Project - General The following summarises key recommendations for the establishment of ecotourism in the national system of protected areas, starting with pilot projects at two sites – Caroni Swamp in Trinidad and the Main Ridge in Tobago. It should be noted that there is strong potential to establish ecotourism within all the sites explored with the exception of Trinity Hills, but that Caroni and Main Ridge would require least additional work. The third most feasible site would be the NE Tobago site, however the marine protected area is not yet declared and dive and other fees would need to be established, ideally within that context, but possibly before. The set of manuals, training, knowledge and experience gained from this process will provide the basis for the development of ecotourism throughout the system. The two selected sites will serve as models to emulate in the development of ecotourism across the Protected Area System, with lessons learned guiding improvements within the sites and other areas. 1. Assist Ministry of Tourism to complete the Draft National Ecotourism Policy and prepare a National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan, including ensuring