I’m headed to Statia tomorrow for the Statia Sustainable Conference to give a talk about water, wildlife and sustainable tourism development. I’m really looking forward to it, and I have heard only great things about the conference. Hopefully I’ll be sharing a few wildlife photos here in a couple days featuring species that are present on Statia, but not on St. Martin. A few dozen miles makes a big difference when it comes to certain types of animals.
Here’s a short description of my topic:
Wildlife and Water: Development Risks and Tourism Opportunities
Wildlife and water are key elements of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. St. Maarten, located just 60 km north of St. Eustatius, offers a case study of both the economic benefits of a robust tourism industry and the risks associated with rapid development. Pollution and other forms of environmental degradation pose a severe threat to both natural ecosystems and the sustainability of the tourism industry. An analysis of the impacts of development on St. Maarten’s wetland and marine environments illustrates pitfalls to be avoided and the importance of sustainability as a key component of a long-term development plan. Sustainable tourism opportunities related to wildlife and marine life are presented as an engine for economic growth, offering the potential for differentiation in a crowded Caribbean tourism marketplace and a boost for local businesses, keeping tourism revenues within the local economy.
You can find out more about the conference on the St. Eustatius Tourism Facebook page.