Eco-tourism association calls for collaboration between farming, tourism and conservation sectors

In a recent statement, Coordinator of Dominica’s Eco-Association, Parry Bellot stressed that the farming, tourism, and conservation sectors are intertwined.

The three have common needs and objectives that they could pursue more successfully together. They depend on maintaining species, eco-systems and high-quality natural environments. Eco-tourism and conservation attempt to present the natural environment to the general public. Frequently all three sectors are co-users of the same land areas.

Whereas tourism and conservation groups have managed to combine to some effect, the relationship with harming has yet to be fully developed. We need to start the development of  common agendas, post-Erika we try to REBUILD DOMINICA BETTER , especially to assist and DIVERSIFY incomes of the farming community

There is need to explore options for cooperation between the three groups and the processes needed to develop these into an agreed forward agenda, to canvass how local and regional planning systems can be utilized to resolve conflicts between local and national needs, and develop common goals and actions.

Possible areas of collaboration and methodologies to develop and implement an agenda include
• Grass roots collaboration programmes
• Regional initiatives
• Obtaining resources from government and tourists
• Campaigning, marketing and changing public perceptions
• Common resource protection
• Protecting migratory species which are tourism icons – whales,
Turtles, birds, endangered species, etc.
consensus building considerations should include:
• Identifying main stakeholders
• Analysing how to engage the diverse tourism industry
• The role for government agencies
• Process for developing the next stages
• Who should be the driver?

Bellot hopes that the major players and stakeholders will respond to this initiative and steps taken for a planned dialogue on this important area for development.