Beyond the beach......

Once again the light of the World is upon us, overlapping some of the very best attractions of the Caribbean, those being Cricket and Yachting, visitors from all over the world come to the region for both these and other activities. The economic engine of Tourism has been ticking over pretty well recently. Displaying growth and substantial long term investment in room stock and other infrastructure needs.

Lamentable, is the critical eye on the geopolitical region of the OECS islands, the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States, being. Antigua and Barbuda, St.Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St.Lucia and Grenada. Surrounded by allegations of vote buying, questionable science, political largess and a closed door attitude to views and concerns, local or otherwise.

Beneath our tropical sun, the glaring robust support for the resumption of commercial whaling. Led by Japan, with Norway and Iceland actively participating in this iconic and synonymous battle over the largest species to have ever lived on Earth. The divided International Whaling Commission (IWC) annual meeting is under away.

Positions are held here for a multitude of reasons, well informed or otherwise, it’s the result that counts. Science and politics add to the heady mix of the dynamics involved.

Irie breezes, are swept away by the “intellectual honesty” employed in this complex and questionable endeavor. A classic example of Newton's law of reciprocal actions, “all forces occur in pairs, and these two forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction”, one of the first laws of science we are taught. Yet within the IWC from the pro-whaling bloc comes an attitude and strategy reminiscent of a “Big Lie Strategy”, employed in perpetuating some of the most evil crimes of modern humanity.

Growing numbers of todays consumer have become; and are increasingly more aware of the strength of the their dollar, pound, rand or peso to generate change. Supporting what is seen as “good”, with drawing support for negative practices and activities, usually in the common interest. Business has responded favorably and to their unexpected delights many are finding unintended benefits, apart from the traditional clear profit aspect. When desired alternatives are provided to a hungry market, success is nearly guaranteed.

This widening trend has become wider in acceptance and practice. Voting with one’s dollar is powerful, consumers are understanding they can directly assist in relieving poverty, increase equity and fair compensation to primary producers. The Fair Trade label is one of the better examples of this new trend. A private and public partnership that goes toward solving many of the current concerns of poverty reduction and related environmental concerns.

In this communication age, news, opinions and actions develop rapidly, hence the demand of transparency, accountability and best practice governance in democratic systems of government. A recent survey reveals 40% of travelers are environmentally concerned, the majority willing to pay a premium for positive sound ecological practices. To economies focused on tourism, this would seem particularly significant. While also being beneficial for the wider society of the country concerned.

Currently Whale Watching is attracting a dichotomy for the region, shown to be a popular activity sought by our guests, influencing destination choices, indeed for many remembered as a “life time experience”. The potential guests may go else where to enjoy the same activity. Yet the OECS countries support the Government of Japan’s position at every turn.

The iconic value of Whales as a species is priceless, as is every “thing” on this planet, woven together in an intricate pattern that results in life its self and the elements of clean air and water providing nourishment to sustain it. Often referred to as ecosystem services and considered to be a common resource and deemed a basic Human right. Our current knowledge strongly suggests we need to make many changes in attitudes and practices in order to safe guard these common resources.

Support for sustainable development is a global norm in theory, the goals of poverty alleviation and positive environmental practices are central themes to ensure a quality of life for future generations. Yet in practice many areas are found wanting. Failure to genuinely engage and include civil society in all decision making being a fundamental flaw, displayed by inappropriate civil consultations, when ignoring public opinion, society is alienated and sentiments of displacement are fueled, needlessly.

Added competition, new concerns and changing trends within our traditional tourism market places of Europe and North America must be considered in order to maintain the hard won positive reputation as a vacation destination. The threat of carbon offsets increasing costs of travel oblige us to seek nearby markets, not ones on the other side of the planet, the same is true for export markets.



The benefits to trade over aid are well known, economic equity, increased independence and reduced demands on government and an increase of taxable incomes. As opposed aid grants, that potentially supplicate the recipient nation.

So when our costly tourism marketing drives have to overcome negative facts, illustrated at the recent "Beneath the Sea" trade show of the dive industry, established for 31 years attracting many visitors and regarded as the foremost show of this market, sharing very similar demographics as our marketing drives target.

When Deep Sea Detectives , John Chatterton and Richie Kohler submitted to the Underwater Film Festival a film about diving with whales in Dominica had the audience mentally booking dive holidays to experience what they had just seen for themselves. To their dismay during after the showing the subject of Japans influence in the area caused much dismay and shock to those unaware of the support Dominica and the wider OECS give for the return of commercial whaling.

Many want to visit the region, however they question rewarding such positions they fail to agree with. Finding alternatives, such as Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic or Tobago, long advocates and practitioners of conservation based tourism, leaders in this pioneering tourism offering.

While boycotts exist, they fail to account for the moderate majority, exercising their freedom of choice and just go elsewhere. Indeed boycotts are an indicator, though I would suggest naturally downplaying the real figures of those who may vacation elsewhere.

Such responses are deemed emotional decisions and therefore not valid ! Yet these are the same emotions that drive a decision to travel to a destination to relax and let worries fall away and batteries recharge, while spending their hard earned money for the privilege.

One has to wonder why, in this very competitive market place, sensitive to these issues one would engage in this unwavering support for a concept that is outdated, based on an argument that under scrutiny remains inconclusive and lacking in hard quality assessments, yet pedaled with the certainty of a religion and strategies employed by some of the most evil acts of modern history.

While no fair minded person would deny sustainable use in theory is great, sadly history suggests great caution to the practice must be exercised. Greed and avarice are key players to derailing the process, while state sovereignty and independence is compromised.

To date the converts remain limited in number and their motive questionable.

Looking at some numbers we find of the 73 IWC member countries, 15 represent the World’s top 25 spending tourists nationalities, rooted pro-conservation members and traditional visitors to the region. While 5 pro-whaling countries are included and indeed are nations less likely to visit our shores. The remaining five are either non-members or have a hunt allocation under the Aboriginal subsistence whaling scheme.

The last IWC meeting held in St.Kitts and Nevis resulted in a one vote “victory” for the pro-whaling bloc in the form of the St.Kitts and Nevis declaration, calling for a resumption of commercial hunting of abundant species, yet agreement on abundance is under review, early indications this is likely to be revised downwards.

Clearly the OECS finds itself in an awkward position, while digging in of heels seems contrary to the aspirations and opinions held within the region and internationally. When this "blows" as indeed it will, I wonder what "they" will proffer as an excuse ?

Antigua and Barbuda will shake their heads again after the decades of government abuse, the election results of 2004 were to make what was wrong right, yet still Antigua and Barbuda staunchly support Japans goal and the strategies employed to achieve them.

The recent experience of the Cricket World Cup further displays a clear need for a wide ranging rethink on the regional negotiations, especially in the light of climate change concerns and consumer trends. A genuine conversation with all of civil society and openness of debate will surely provide some valuable options to address this worrying paradox. The slosh and wailings of babies and bath water resound !

The Caribbean is a region of huge talent, human energy and natural beauty, stymied like most countries by governments that fail to hear their people ! Come to the Caribbean, register your concerns(pm at ab.gov.ag) and enjoy yourself, we, the people welcome you.
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Other aspects of this enormous and synonomous topic to come..........