Posted by: travadmin on Jun 04, 2003 – 03:00 PM
ecotourism It is setting the pace for smaller Eco-friendly tourism destinations in The Bahamas, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.
It also dispels the notion that such properties cannot be profitable.
The Tiamo Resort situated in an historic settlement near Congo Town, but accessible mainly by boat was conferred with the second place prize in the National Geographic Traveler and Conservation International World Legacy Awards earlier this year.
Conservation International and National Geographic Traveler Magazine launched the awards to recognise leading examples in the tourism industry where environmentally and socially responsible practices help to protect the planet’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Tiamo Resort came second out of a field of 100 applicants from 40 countries.
There were nine finalists, six of them winners. The Bahamas was the only island-state to make the final cut. The winner was Wilderness Safaris, a resort in South Africa.
The owners of the resort, Michael and Petagay Hartman received the award from Queen Noor of Jordan at National Geographic’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The land that they now occupy was known as the North Quarters and was inhabited until the hurricane of 1929 forced residents to abandon the settlement.
The Tiamo Resort arrived there three years ago and a transformation is clearly on the way. Prime Minister Christie traveled to the resort last Friday to congratulate the owners and promote conservation locally through the Gibbon McKenzie Conservation Foundation.
Gibbon McKenzie was a pioneering advocate for the conservation of the environment.
In fact, he died while giving a tour of one of the nine blue ocean holes in that part of South Andros.
Mr. Christie said that this type of resort is important because it serves as a reminder of the obligation that people have to the environment.
The prime minister was sent a message of encouragement from one of the world’s foremost marine biologists and Executive Director of Conservation International, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who also made a special appeal to Mr. Christie and his government.
Dr. Earle wants Andros to be developed into a marine national park. She said because of its vastness, richness in biodiversity and the fact that it is home to the world’s third largest barrier reef the island deserves such recognition.
Dr. Earl added that, “The Bahamas represents one of earth’s most precious marine environments and the earth’s environment is dependent on it.”
The resort at Tiamo boasts 16 bungalows, each with a uniquely rustic, but luxurious ambience.
There are plans for the construction of three more bungalows by the end of the year. The resort is the largest private sector employee in the area with 21 employees on staff. The Hartman’s envision that this number will increase.
All energy at the resort is solar generated, including water-heating systems and cooling systems.
“The key to this system is that we have been able to minimise our electricity consumption up to 120,000 watts of power per day,” Mr. Hartman said. The property also has its own well for water supply.
An interesting feature is the composting toilet. It amasses human waste, allowing it to be naturally converted into manure.
But more importantly for The Hartmans’ is the fact that the message of sustainable development is spreading throughout the community.
Emily Rahming, Ezrena Forbes and Ena Miller, all South Andros residents, said they believe that the Tiamo Resort is a good investment for the future of tourism in The Bahamas.
Hardy McKinney is a local fisherman who promotes sustainable fishing. “It’s a new concept that we are bringing to the people,” Mr. McKinney said. He added that conservation gives more than it takes away. “Most fishermen think that if you set up a marine protected area, you’re really taking bread out of their mouths but in reality that is not the case, ” Mr. McKinney said.
Jonathan Tourtellot is Director for Sustainable Tourism for the National Geographic Society and GeoTourism editor for National Geographic Traveler.
Mr. Tourtellot told the Bahama Journal that part of the reason why Tiamo won was because its owners do a terrific job in minimizing impact to the environment.
“They also do a good job with local people in terms of what is going on here and making sure that local people benefit,” he said.
Mr. Tourtellot also said that it was admirable that the resort did not advertise as being “green” but as a place where one can come and relax.
“They have also established that it is possible to do this kind of low impact Eco-tourism for a general audience and make a profit,” he said. “It’s a great example for other businesses around the world to emulate.”
By Julian Reid, The Bahama Journal