CAST to Offer Green Globe 21 Training
JAMAICA, September 14, 2005. 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 Gonz'alez 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.
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