Jamaica
News - Real Estate (June 16, 2004)
Four J'can properties
to get Blue Flag certification
FOUR local properties, including the
newly-built Port Antonio Marina, are to receive Blue Flag certification later
this year, signalling that they are clean and safe for bathing, having met the
four sets of criteria laid down by the Denmark-based environmental body, Blue
Flag.
The four properties, which also include
Montego Bay's Doctor's Cave Bathing Club, the Norman Manley Sea Park and the
beach at Merril's Beach Resorts in Negril, are expected to be endorsed in
November.
Blue Flag is an eco-label for beaches and marinas
that meet standards relating to water quality, environmental management,
environmental education and information, safety and services.
Jamaica is among five countries participating
in a pilot programme in the Caribbean. The other participating countries are
Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic.
The campaign is being conducted internationally
by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-profit, non-governmental
organisation headquartered in Denmark. Regionally, Blue Flag is administered by
a consortium of three regional bodies - the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the
Caribbean Conservation Association and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable
Tourism.
In Jamaica, the programme is coordinated by
the National Environment and Planning Agency, the Coastal Water Quality
Improvement Project (CWIP) - a programme funded jointly by the United States
Agency for International Development and the Government of Jamaica along with
the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
"What this will mean is that they (beaches)
have an opportunity to market the Blue Fag symbol to hotel and tourist operators
in Europe and United States, who will in turn steer their clients to the
properties," chief of party for CWIP, Dr Scott McCormick, stated.
He said Blue Flag-endorsed beaches are the
preferred outing spots for most Europeans.
"There are approximately 2,400 (endorsed)
beaches in Europe and many Europeans only go to Blue Flag beaches," he
noted. "Most of the main tourist operators are familiar with Blue Flag and
as such can guarantee their customers that those beaches are safe bathing
places."
He said the endorsement could mean more
business for the local properties.
The Blue Flag campaign was introduced to the
Caribbean in 1999 and encourages the practice of integrated environmental
management with special focus on the conservation of coastal resources, while
acting as a positive economic incentive to beach and marina managers, and
participating communities by appealing to the users of beaches and marinas who
prefer "green" products.
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