The news about a few Tulum resorts being closed down by Mexico’s Environmental Department, with a few more under investigation, created a local uproar of indignation.

The officials claim the resort owners never had planning and building permissions, while the owners say they do but apparently it will take time to prove that they legally own the land… which frankly sounds a bit odd.

That corruption is a usual practice in Mexico and some businesses start operating by paying to get their papers in orders is no big news, and the resort owners are claiming the police has been paid by someone interested in the repossession of a land ‘that is worth millions of dollars’.

But we are talking about a federal park here. Why should it be so difficult to prove whether these businesses have been build within or outside its boundaries? And why are we talking about someone’s interest in the land repossession if the federals say they want to eventually demolish the buildings to leave the area untouched?

Surely last time I went to Tulum I wondered whether the boundaries of Tulum’s National Park were actually shrinking… The park includes the Mayan ruins and it is supposed to preserve the local flora and fauna, the latter escaping somewhere else after being stressed out by the stress-escaping tourists.

Tulum has been progressively transforming itself from a laid back retreat - a paradise to those attracted by the pristine beach, the lush jungle and the candle lit cabanas - to a ‘bohemian eco-chic beach resort’, with funky beach bars cum cocktail lounges, and gourmet seafood restaurants featuring ‘Asian–inspired touches’ (???)

I have nothing again the ‘Eco-chic’ trend, I think sustainable practices and eco policies can live together with comforts and style (not with luxury, but this is another story…), I am just not convinced that the eco-policies of the most recent developments go beyond some solar powered Ipod docking stations.

After having made sure they have the right to be there in the first place, proper investigations should be conducted on their energy and waste systems, or on their employment conditions to prove their actual sustainability in such an environmentally and socially sensitive area.

Tulum photo album

Here we are again, more news about dolphins waiting in sea pens to be exported to marine amusement parks, some of them even labeled as ‘eco’!!

As reported by Marine Connection - UK based charity - the Solomon Islands issued a Non-Detriment Finding (a document approving the international wildlife trade) without bothering to undertake the scientific surveys required by International legislation.

But does not a commercial offer always follow a market demand? What can be done to educate people not to visit these parks? Maybe it will be a good idea targeting children organising talks in school?

And as per the Travelmole’s article reporting the news, shouldn’t tour operators who are claiming to become ‘greener’ stop promoting excursions to captive dolphins parks?

Amongst the biggest tour operators, TUI are partners of the UN initiative “Year of the Dolphin”, and Virgin Holidays sponsor one of the most important Responsible Tourism Awards..

One of the many TUI holidays promoting Florida’s Seaworld parks
Cancun resorts with Swim with Dolphins programs, promoted by Virgin

We want less greenwashing and more responsible actions!!

Now think: fresh water supply, sewage, mangroves destruction, helicopters…

Happy holiday!!!!!

Nominations are open for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008, founded and organised by responsibletravel.com with UK media partners Telegraph Travel and Geographical Magazine, and World Travel Market, hosting the Awards ceremony in November 2008 in London. The deadline for the nominations is Monday 16 June.

Justin Francis, founder of Responsibletravel, announced that there are 13 categories this year including, for the first time, Best Responsible Cruise Operator. He said: ‘the cruise and ferry industry has received a great deal of attention recently concerning its impact on local environments and our aim is to encourage and reward positive and innovative changes’.

As I have commented on responsibletravel’s blog and Planeta’s Forum, I think the inclusion of this category in an award that ‘celebrates the future of travelling in a sensitive, sustainable way - that benefits local people and destinations’ is totally inappropriate. Even though some cruise operators are planning to improve their energy efficiency and waste management, the industry is still one of the most unsustainable examples of tourism, both for its heavy impact on the environment and for its all inclusive formula.

Francis said that if there is not a credible ‘winner’ they will not make an Award in this category, which would make a statement in its own right. I am wondering what sort of credible winner they are looking for.

There has been a 30% increase of cruise holidays in the past year and I don’t think this growth should be encouraged any further. I am not against rewarding positive changes, but including this industry in a responsible tourism award might sound a bit like legitimating green-washing.

I am not sure also about the category ‘Best in a marine environment’ (awarding an organisation related to a beach or other marine environment, such as turtle conservation or a marine eco-tourism trip) being sponsored by Royal Caribbean…

A few weeks ago I read on Travelmole Newswire about the Turks and Caicos islands (an archipelago of 40 islands and cayes located 914 kilometres from Miami southeast of the Bahamas), giving the Caribbean region its “first green island” as part of the government’s sustainable tourism program. Premier Michael Misick told journalists that “Any new development will be consistent with that philosophy (of sustainable development)”

The future green island is Salt Cay, once the center of the Bermudan salt industry. It is recommended as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and occupies a surface of 2.5 mile, which makes it one of the smallest of the 9 inhabited islands. I was curious about knowing more about the whole archipelago, so here follows a brief overview of the development on the main islands, according to the Turks and Caicos tourism website (with some personal considerations):

1 - Providenciales (38 square miles) is the most developed island and the international flights hub. It offers superb beaches and all modern conveniences, including luxurious hotels, villas and condos, numerous restaurants, spas and shopping facilities, and a championship caliber golf course (please note that the islands have limited natural fresh water resources and private cisterns collect rainwater for drinking, which makes you wonder about the sustainability of such a golf course).

2 - Grand Turk (6 square miles) is the capital island of the Turks and Caicos, its historical heartbeat, and home to a state of the art luxury cruise ship center (about the sustainability of the cruise ship industry I would recommend reading Chapter 8 of Leo Hickman, The Final Call)

3 - North Caicos (41 square miles) has undergone a development transformation, with several luxury resort properties underway. It is evolving as a ‘getaway’ from the more developed Providenciales and boasts the largest flock of Pink Flamingos in the islands (they surely must be thrilled about the island’s transformation!)

4 - South Caicos (8.5 square miles) is the fishing capital of the islands and attracts visitors for its fishing, birdlife, history, fresh seafood dishes and diving. (we can only hope that there are some fishing and diving regulations…)

5 - The largest of the islands, Middle Caicos is 48 square miles of natural beauty. Frigate Bird colony resides on south side of the island and you will also find Flamingos, Egrets, Sand Pipers. A large blue hole just offshore in shallow water features an abundant variety of marine life. The island’s Northwest Point is a combination of beautiful inlets, marshes, mangroves and in land ponds, which serve as a haven for bird life. (This sounds to me like a perfect green island! Any sustainable development plan for this one?)

6 - Parrot Cay is a thousand acre island hosting the ultra luxurious and very private vacation hideaway Parrot Cay Resort and Spa, called by some the world’s most exclusive resort. Movie stars enjoy the solitude and anonymity (bless them!)

7 - Pine Cay had no permanent population until The Meridan Club was built here in the 1970s. It is a privately owned island and the club presents itself as ‘an environmentally sensitive resort. From their website: ‘Barefoot informality, sensitivity to the natural environment and a commitment to strictly regulate development compliment an alluring tropical setting’.

8 - Ambergris Cay was uninhabited for nearly five centuries. Now approximately 100 estate sites from one to ten acres are offered through the Turks and Caicos Sporting Club development. Also here, they say an environmentally sensitive and sustainable development plan is being strictly adhered to. Amenities will include a small five-star hotel and spa, yacht club, comprehensive concierge services and extensive security. Access is limited to a deep water marina and a runway suitable for corporate jets.

There are also two cayes once inhabited which are now under development: West Caicos will become the future home of the most exclusive Ritz Carlton community in the world, and Dellis Cay is currently under contract to the O Property Collection for the development of a multi-use property which will be run by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

With this broader picture in mind, I feel the government should show a more serious commitment in the preservation of this environmentally sensitive archipelago, a part of which was designated a Ramsar site in 1990 (the Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, vital for the preservation of the coasts from hurricanes and of the aquatic and bird life), and yet it seems that nothing can stop development, with international hotel groups buying whole cayes and making them off-limits by the locals but accessible to corporate jets.

The islands are presently a British overseas territory and their economy is based on tourism, fishing, and (suprise!) offshore financial services. By a nation that is so proud in lining up amongst the world leading countries in the fight against environmental exploitation and for a more equitable distribution of the wealth you would expect some more radical initiatives than ‘the dedication of a wee island to sustainable development’.

Resources:

Article on Travelmole Newswire
Turks and Caicos islands on Wikipedia
Turks and Caicos tourism website