Grassroots Sustainable Tourism Organization Promotes Responsible Travel

During my time in Bocas del Toro a couple months ago, I met Alexandra Dennis, the Bocas Sustainable Tourism Alliance coordinator, and we spoke a bit about the BSTA’s misson and the slow but steady movement toward low impact tourism in Central America. Because of my recent interest in sustainable tourism, I contacted Dennis a few weeks ago to discuss her organizations mission and challenges in more detail.

What is the BTSA’s mission?

“To support sustainable tourism development, promote responsible travel that sustain and enhance the geographical character of the place—our environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of our residents while giving incentives for travelers to understand and protect the local culture and environment they are visiting.”

How did the idea for BTSA come around? Is this part of an umbrella organization or unique to Bocas?

Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) have proven to be effective at providing incentives for behavior change in the tourism sector.  They also have the ability to strengthen links between tourism stakeholders and increase conservation awareness throughout the value chain.  As such, through the generous support of the USAID-Conservation of Central American Watersheds program (CCAW), Solimar International was tasked with developing a DMO that can achieve the following objectives for the region:
·      Enhance the competitiveness of sustainable tourism in Bocas del Toro;
·      Support conservation efforts that mitigate environmental impacts;
·      Respond to an increase in tourism demand; and
·      Strengthen links between public and private sector groups within the destination.
As a result, the Bocas Sustainable Tourism Alliance (BSTA) was formed. BSTA is a local affiliate of Sustainable Travel International.

What are the requirements for an establishment to be accepted as an environmentally friendly property?

We are currently working through our guideline documents which include the details of acceptance.  We require members to pledge to BSTA regarding their sustainable practices and work towards improving these practices on a regular basis.  Our intention is to provide education on sustainable practices and to ensure that each of our members meets at least a certain threshold for sustainability.

What exactly is green tourism? What can establishments do to be more green?

Sustainable tourism is tourism that is economically, culturally and environmentally sustainable. With sustainable tourism, cultural and environmental impacts are neither permanent nor irreversible.  What is sustainable?  Something that is capable of being maintained without exhausting available resources or causing damage.  The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that tourism is a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and tourists themselves.  Establishments can work towards improving their sustainability in a given area to that they meet the minimum standards and work towards being an example to other businesses.

What can travelers do to reduce their carbon footprint?

Here are some Green Travel Tips we provide for travelers on our website and on our Map of Bocas del Toro:

1.  Despite the huge amount of rainfall in this region, fresh water is in very short supply. Be aware of your usage when traveling – take short showers, re-use towels and linen at hotels, and team up with other travelers to wash a full laundry load.

2.  Trash is often dumped or burned, so recycle as much as you possibly can. BSTA’s Tourist Information Center has containers for recycling plastic bottles, drink cans and plastic bags, and Wongsa on the waterfront at the northern end of Calle 5 takes cleaned drinks cans and plastic bottles to Panama City for recycling.

3.  Don’t keep buying plastic water bottles – refill your old one at the BSTA Tourist Information Center. It’s cheaper, too!

4.  Do not touch coral or other sea life when diving or snorkeling. It could be harmful to you as well as to the coral! You can report any boat drivers who drop anchor on the coral or chase dolphins to BSTA, as well as any guides who act irresponsibly towards the environment.

5.  Do not purchase souvenirs made from coral or turtle shell, and avoid restaurants serving turtle meat or eggs. Lobsters are also overfished, so you may want to avoid ordering them too.

6.  Where possible, buy handicrafts directly from the communities or artisans to ensure your money reaches the craftspeople. If you don’t manage to visit a local community, a small selection of handicrafts are on sale at the BSTA Tourist Information Center, and all profits are returned to the craftspeople. Additionally, on the first and third Saturday of every month, local communities sell their own crafts, oils, coconut and cacao products at the Bocas Farmer’s Market in the park.

7.  Give something back! Contact BSTA for information about volunteer opportunities in the region – from installing rainwater catchment systems to working in schools.

8.  Include a visit to a local community tourism project. You can stay in a cabin or with a family; enjoy a home-cooked meal; learn how medicinal plants are used; see how local crafts are made; and watch traditional dance performances.

9.  Look for low-impact tour options – hiking, biking, kayaking and snorkeling rather than motorized boats, cars or scooters.

Do your research! BSTA offers information about the sustainability of local businesses so that you can be sure your hotel or tour provider is doing its best to minimize its environmental impact and support the local community.

I would also add that travelers could choose to travel by bus and water taxi instead of flying to the island.

What are some of the challenges Bocas in particular faces when it comes to dealing with eco/environmental challenges? Is anything being done to deal with these challenges?

Bocas is a small town in a ‘developing’ country and as such faces a variety of obstacles when it comes to addressing the eco/environmental challenges. There are steps being taken to deal with all of the challenges.

Check out my article on green travel for additional information.