People in Action Reports on the Grenada Dove and Four Seasons Development outcome May 16, 2008

May 16, 2008 A  satisfactory (“win win”) outcome to the Grenada Dove controversy has resulted from  discussions held between the Mount Hartman development and concerned local groups.

 A mission team, set up under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office, was commissioned to plan and coordinate   activity on the Dove project. The team collated inputs from  the developers (Cinnamon 88), the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations (Director Mr. Jonathan Tourtellot who worked with BirdLife International and other interested agencies), the World Bank, The Global Environment Facility, Grenada’s Forestry Department and People In Action.  The mission team commissioned Bonnie Rusk, the leading Grenada Dove expert, to conduct  a population census the outcome of which were recommendations on the boundaries to be set aside for the Dove in Mount Hartman  and the identification of alternative sites on the island (such as the Beausejour area) where the Dove can sustainably proliferate.

 Cinnamon 88 have also undertaken to respect other environmental priorities in the construction of their development – such as an eco-certified golf course and the protection of mangroves, the wetlands, grey water and water processing.

 Shortly after the launch of the Mt Hartman development on April 18 2008, the Minister of Tourism and the Prime Minister’s office contacted PIA to express their desire to sign the Geotourism Charter for Grenada.

 PIA has since been approached by other developers and local businesses and can report that there is significant interest from international sources in supporting Grenada’s desire to ‘go sustainable’.  We have advocated the adoption and stewardship of the communities by the developers and local business community as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy. The developers responded positively and the National Geographic Society Center for Sustainable Destinations has issued another Geotourism Charter for companies and organizations that wish to develop in a Geotouristic manner. Companies that post the Code must also post the actions and policies by which they support it, with a space for public comment

 Geotourism Code of Good Practice

Whereas, the geotourism approach sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well being of its residents,

[Company/Organization Name]

pledges to support these principles of the Grenada Geotourism Code of Good Practice:

1. Integrity of place: We will work to enhance Grenada’s geographical character in ways distinctive to the place, reflective of its natural and cultural heritage. Our approaches to developing tourism will build on these resources and protect them.

2. Share our story: We will work to engage visitors and residents in exploring Grenada’s distinctive characteristics, so that tourists gain a richer experience and residents develop pride in the communities where they live and work.

3. Enriching tourist experience: We will work to ensure that our visitors are satisfied, enthusiastic, and supportive. We will listen to their interests and concerns, so that they will make return visits and take home travel stories that encourage others to visit Grenada as well.

4. Community involvement and distinctiveness: We will conduct our tourism efforts in ways that support local businesses and civic groups to the greatest extent possible, encouraging partnerships that provide and promote a distinctive, authentic place for visitors and residents alike.

5. Destination appeal: We will support efforts to sustain Grenada’s natural habitats, heritage sites, scenic appeal, and local culture—and encourage our visitors to do likewise. We will support efforts to avoid tourist overcrowding. We will seek to minimize sprawl and urge that the design of any new development suit its locale environmentally, culturally, and aesthetically.

6. Environment: We will work to minimize water usage, pollution, solid waste, invasive species, loss of habitat, and energy consumption.

7. Human impact: We will support internationally accepted standards of tourism ethics and human rights in relations with our employees, customers, suppliers, and fellow community members. We will minimize unwanted social and cultural disruption from our tourism activities.

8. Collaboration:  We will continue to promote geotourism principles by sharing best practices in our organizations and to collaborate on geotourism educational efforts and policy development.

9. Commitment:  We will post this Code of Good Practice and the actions and policies with which we support it, and to the extent feasible, provide an open venue for others to comment.

This structure will be monitored by a Geotourism Council and an online assessment tool will be formulated to encourage transparency and to provide customer and community comments on the efforts.

People in Action recognizes and thanks all entities, organizations and individuals who have provided support on this project and it looks forward to moving ahead with National Geographic Society Center for Sustainable Destinations on the Geotourism  strategy development for Grenada.