While many of us are aware of the importance of tourism, we as a nation need to recognize and appreciate the practical implications of having a sustainable tourism sector. It provides employment opportunities, investment and development.
As an island nation, and a member of the global community of nations, climate change is an issue that will impact our island. The issue of tourism and climate change is a complex one.
Tourism perhaps more than any other industry relies upon the integrity of the natural environment.
Climate change is now recognized as both critical and imminent. Not only does the survival of businesses but the survival of humanity depend on our ability to respond to environmental change in ways that are positive and sustainable.
A functional balance has to be found between commercial development and the incalculable value of natural preservation, where both community and industry can flourish.
Within the Caribbean region, tourism ministers have stressed the importance of travel and tourism, and are aware that cooperation and understanding between them fosters a positive business climate that attracts visitors to the region. To this end, each island nation within the Caribbean Basin, must apply principles of structural reform to tourism in the same way that is done to other businesses.
As island nations we must become responsive to the issues of climate change, which impacts tourism, influencing destination preferences and affecting the kinds of experiences the visitor can have.
As island nations, climate change will dictate that we develop mitigating strategies, to preserve our environment and ensure the sustainability of the tourism product. Climate change will influence a rise in sea levels, stronger and more frequent storms and extreme temperature events.
Such effects will have real impacts on the natural environment as well as on our infrastructure, which in turn will have consequences for our nation's ability to contribute to economic activity and support our quality of life.
The adverse effects of climate change brought about primarily by greenhouse emissions can have a detrimental impact on the tourism industry.
Scientific research has indicated that in less than 25-years, global temperatures are likely to rise which may result in the loss of shorelines and in extreme cases, making low-lying islands non-existent.
However, the challenge for us as an island nation, as a community, as stakeholders in our national tourism economy, and as a member of the international community, is to take immediate steps to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. We need to control our behaviour as individuals, as families, as a community with respect to the way we do things.
We must be proactive in our approach and work with various stakeholders to facilitate the integration of issues related to climate change and multi-hazard mitigation. By doing so, we are preparing for the future.
Each and every one of us need to understand the relationship between the adverse impact of climate change and the tourism industry in order to make a change, to make a difference. We need to educate ourselves that adverse climate change means protecting our environment and protecting our environment means protecting our nation's economic well-being, translated - our well-being.
On this Caribbean Tourism Day, let us reflect where we have come as a destination, where we are currently at this point in time, and where we want to be in 10 to 20-years from now.
Mitigating adverse climate change is not only our responsibility as individuals, but a responsibility of the world and of man kind. Climate change is happening now and it is largely down to human activities to how you and I, all of us choose to lead our lives.
Research into the economies of climate change was that the costs of tackling climate change today are lower than the long term costs and effect on our economies and our societies if we fail to act today.
There are very strong grounds to be optimistic that we can tackle climate change. Practical solutions and technologies already exist to help. Of course it's a huge challenge, but it is also a huge opportunity for the tourism industry and for all of us.
It is an opportunity to develop a sustainable energy sector; for our economy to become more productive as it becomes more energy efficient and greener; and to improve quality of life as we find less polluting ways that impact our environment.
As Commissioner of Tourism Affairs, I am convinced that a low carbon economy is vital for the well being of this generation as well as for our children and grandchildren. If we don't act to reduce carbon emissions we risk enormous economic damage to the world.
Government will need the support of all stakeholders to assist in the implementation of concrete measures to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and reducing the carbon footprint of St. Maarten.
So let us take the steps we need to both adapt to the challenges of climate change and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and to do that together.
Have a successful Caribbean Tourism Day 2008