In line with the growing trend for
ecotourism businesses worldwide, comes the need for appropriate training for those
who wish to create and run such an establishment, as well as for international
harmonisation of ecotourism standards. To provide for this need, the Caribbean
Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) will offer Green Globe 21 International
Ecotourism Standard (IES) proficiency training, November 1-4, 2005, in Puerto Rico,
the first time this course will be offered in the Caribbean region.The four-day
training will be hosted and co-sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC),
whose current director Terestella González Denton has consistently shown commitment
to sustainable development issues.

Conducted by veteran ecotourism expert Alice
Crabtree, from Australia, the training will take place in the PRTC Conference Room
in Old San Juan and will include a half-day tour through the El Yunque rainforest,
sponsored and led by Eco Xcursions Aquatica.

The training course will provide participants with a deeper understanding of
ecotourism principles, an outline of the latest requirements of the IES set by Green
Globe 21, as well as an outlook on the business-generating potential within the
tourism sector. It will also provide individuals with the opportunity to obtain the
Green Globe 21 IES Proficiency Certificate, or to become a Green Globe 21 IES
Assessor.

According to the Chairman of CAST, Sir Royston O. Hopkin KCMG,

“As
Green Globe’s Regional Alliance Partner, CAST treats with the utmost importance its
mandate to provide industry with affordable training in skills development and to
ensure that the Caribbean tourism product is prepared to stay well ahead of the
competition.”

The course will be conducted in English and will run from 8:30am to 5:00pm each day;
the half-day tour to El Yunque will take place on Wednesday, November 2, after
lunch. The US$850 participation fee covers the excursion, coffee breaks, lunches, as
well as all training materials. The deadline for submission of registration is
October 14, 2005, subject to availability.

——-