Third Meeting of The International Task Force On Sustainable Tourism Paris, France December 10-12, 2007 Earlston B. McPhee Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

The Bahama Islands

IMPACT OF TOURISM – THE BAHAMAS In million visitors contributed USD 2 bn. In million visitors contributed USD 2 bn. T&T represents over 50% of total economic activity T&T represents over 50% of total economic activity Employment – 1 of every 2 jobs T&T Employment – 1 of every 2 jobs T&T 75% of Foreign Exchange 75% of Foreign Exchange

THE BAHAMAS’ TOURISM ASSETS Amiable climate Amiable climate Attractive accommodations Attractive accommodations Accessible and comfortable air and cruise ports Accessible and comfortable air and cruise ports Roads, bridges and marinas Roads, bridges and marinas Crystal clear waters, beaches, mangroves, coral reefs Crystal clear waters, beaches, mangroves, coral reefs Friendly, healthy people Friendly, healthy people Healthy, safe environment Healthy, safe environment Affordable, accessible, clean supply of water Affordable, accessible, clean supply of water

Climate Change Threats Increase in the number of warms days and cold nights Increase in the number of warms days and cold nights Frequency of extreme weather related events – hurricanes, droughts, floods Frequency of extreme weather related events – hurricanes, droughts, floods Over last 3 decades an increase in mean temperature Over last 3 decades an increase in mean temperature In future, wetter wet season and drier dry season expected In future, wetter wet season and drier dry season expected

IMPACTS ON TRAVEL & TOURISM: Increased storm surge Increased storm surge Inundation of flood areas Inundation of flood areas Beach and coastal damage Beach and coastal damage Aquifer salinization Aquifer salinization Warmer waters results in loss of coral reefs Warmer waters results in loss of coral reefs Frequency in severe weather patterns Frequency in severe weather patterns –Present safety issues for the industry Mangrove destruction Mangrove destruction

IMPACTS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM: Increase in insurance premium – Increase in insurance premium – –Damage to accommodation and attraction facilities –Destruction of ports, roads, tourism related facilities Perception of unsafe region Perception of unsafe region Shoreline destruction Shoreline destruction

MAJOR HURRICANES SINCE 1970’S (Source Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency) CATEGORY CAT CAT CAT TOTAL

HURRICANES IMPACT Bahamas (Frances and Jeanne) USD 551M – 10% GDP Bahamas (Frances and Jeanne) USD 551M – 10% GDP Cayman Islands (Ivan) USD 3.5 b – 183% GDP Cayman Islands (Ivan) USD 3.5 b – 183% GDP Grenada (Ivan) USD 889M – 200% GDP Grenada (Ivan) USD 889M – 200% GDP Jamaica (Ivan) USD 595M – 8% GDP Jamaica (Ivan) USD 595M – 8% GDP St. Lucia (Ivan) USD 2.6M St. Lucia (Ivan) USD 2.6M

GRENADA’S EXPERIENCE - IVAN Deaths – 28 persons Deaths – 28 persons 9 out of 10 houses damaged 9 out of 10 houses damaged 9 of 10 hotel rooms destroyed – USD 108M loss 9 of 10 hotel rooms destroyed – USD 108M loss Loss of telecommunication utilities – 13% of GDP Loss of telecommunication utilities – 13% of GDP Electricity utilities – 9% of GDP Electricity utilities – 9% of GDP Extensive losses in the agricultural sector – 10% GDP Extensive losses in the agricultural sector – 10% GDP Flora and Fauna destruction Flora and Fauna destruction

ADAPTATION STRATEGIES Climate change awareness programs Climate change awareness programs Promote and enforce building setbacks Promote and enforce building setbacks Discourage filling of wetlands Discourage filling of wetlands Prohibit sand mining Prohibit sand mining Educate dive sector Educate dive sector Prohibit anchoring of boats on reefs Prohibit anchoring of boats on reefs Legislate marine protected areas Legislate marine protected areas Control marine pollution Control marine pollution

ADPTATION STRATEGIES Discourage destruction of mangroves for coastal developments Discourage destruction of mangroves for coastal developments Promote incentives for “green tourism” Promote incentives for “green tourism” –Solar energy for heating of water –Solar energy for generating electricity –Use of compost toilets –Low flush toilets –Grey water recycling –Water collection Promote sustainable design building Promote sustainable design building

NATIONAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES National Policy – Climate Change Committee National Policy – Climate Change Committee –Policy directives –Tourism –Coastal & Marine Resources –Agriculture –Financial and Insurance Sectors NEMA NEMA –Minimize vulnerability to hazards –Protect human life and property –Facilitate rehabilitation and recovery

NATIONAL ADAPTATION INITIATIVES Coastal Awareness Month Coastal Awareness Month Strengthening of Building Codes Strengthening of Building Codes Sustainable Building Design Sustainable Building Design Competition Competition Wetlands Policy Wetlands Policy

THANK YOU!! MERCI!!