Caribbean Airlift Updates

PUERTO RICO issued a call to action to Caribbean nations to work with airlines to increase air access to the region through San Juan. Among the proposed incentives for the airlines are Read more

The construction pace has not slowed on St. Maarten

Philipsburg, St. Maarten - Construction, normally a measuring stick within any economy, has not slowed down on St. Maarten. There are actually signs that the pace is even dramatically increasing. But don’t be fooled, even on St. Maarten construction will come to a screeching halt since the building boom on the Dutch side has “unglamorous” reasons! Read more

Puerto Rico urges islands to respond to airlift crisis

June 24, 2008, By Gay Nagle Myers — Puerto Rico issued a call to action to Caribbean nations to work with carriers on increasing air access to the region through San Juan.

“The gravity of the economic crisis facing the airline industry, and business in general, is especially felt in the Caribbean, a region that has Read more

Who Pays to Offset Your Carbon Footprint?

Everything we do leaves a carbon footprint on this earth, whether taking a flight to a beachside resort, washing clothes, lighting or heating a home, enjoying a Sunday drive or something as mundane as turning your coffee pot on in the morning.

The fact that we never consciously were aware of the fact that virtually any of our actions consumes some of Mother Earth’s resources, are now cause for the growing concerns about climate changes worldwide.

How much of this concern is paranoia and how much is real, is hard to say. It seems that climate changes are bringing more critical weather patterns, but if that is a scientifically true statement, I really don’t know. There is much we don’t know about depleting Mother Earth’s non renewable resources. What I do know however, is that the earth has come a long way and it would be better to assume a worst case scenario and prepare accordingly, than just sit back and wait for the scenario to unfold. Mother Earth had her particular beauty long before we started extracting oil and metals from her body, mixed and mashed these resources with other commodities and started spewing toxic waste and gases into our atmosphere. Like a mother, she will keep on giving until there is no more left. I never heard my mother complaining about giving her resources to her children, but that was of course when only 5 children pulled from her. Imagine 50 or 500! And that’s what our earth is facing. Explosive population growth with a rapidly increasing carbon footprint.

And as reports of the growing climate issue worldwide fuel our fears, the necessity to react to preserve our planet earth becomes ever more critical. The question becomes, can we offset our carbon footprint?  The answer is yes, but our daily decisions and counteractions need to be an important part of the process to preserve a global environment which allows us to continue to thrive. So awareness and the will to consider alternative behavior and lifestyles are the first requirements. And that’s where the problem starts. Can we tell the native tree logger in the Amazons, who has lived for generations in poverty and despair, that he should stop cutting his trees down, without offering him financial alternatives to provide for his family? Do we tell the awaking giants in China and India that they cannot buy a refrigerator that cools on Freon gas, or buy a car, because it threatens the earth’s atmosphere? Shouldn’t we calculate first who collectively and individually depletes the most resources and apply a sliding scale of cost to this behavior.

The British Travel Association ABTA, with the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) launched ReduceMyFootprint, late in 2007 as a carbon reduction program. ReduceMyFootprint, a U.K. based non-profit organization, aims to deliver carbon reduction for individuals and companies through its informational website and seminars on how to reduce carbon emissions.

 The site users have the opportunity to calculate and offset their carbon emissions by purchasing CO2 reductions. Although the first aim is increasing the awareness factor so people can alter their ways of doing things and reduce their carbon foot print, it is the purchasing of CO2 reductions, that makes me wonder, if this is not a big scam. Better yet, the vagueness of the statement that “with the monies received through such purchases, ReduceMyFootprint funds projects around the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in places such as India, South Africa, Brazil, Cyprus, Kenya, The Gambia, Tobago, Sri Lanka, Yucatan, and others.”

Hummmmmmm?  This sounds a lot like development aid. Nothing wrong with that. On the contrary. But, there is already a portfolio for that in many government budgets. And another thing, could someone elaborate on what type of projects we’re talking about.

There is no doubt in my mind that tourism has adverse effects on the environment of a destination and climate in general. It is the one thing that people spend a substantial part of their annual budget on. They are willing to pay extra for that special annual event. Now the question is where to collect the monies to give back to Mother Earth and preserve our future.

Should we add a carbon offset tax to travel packages, should vacation destinations add a carbon offset tax to their hotel bills, car rental rates and restaurant bills? Who is going to administer and collect, and more importantly where will the money be spent on to actively and effectively reduce our collective carbon footprint?

We have a long way to go to put this process in the right perspective. And I applaud that with the launch of ReduceMyFootprint, ABTA has taken the bull by the horns and begun to educate the public and travel industry about offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. I do not necessarily support their stance that it is an individual decision to contribute to carbon footprint reduction, but at least it’s a start.

On ReduceMyFootprint, individuals and businesses can use the Carbon Calculator to determine the quantity of carbon emissions for travel, commute, and daily activities. As a way to compensate for these emissions produced through holiday travel and daily activities, users may buy offsets for an equal amount to the quantity of their emissions.

ReduceMyFootprint believes that no action or contribution is too small. In fact, many of the things that the public can do daily are ridiculously small, such as washing your clothes 10 degrees lower, cycling to work, carpooling, or using alternate lighting and heating solutions in your home; however, all of the small things collectively have an enormous impact on the environment.

As a trade organization, it is our corporate responsibility to educate consumers and trade businesses that the decision to travel needs to be part of the carbon emissions equation,” stated Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at ABTA, “Everything we do on this earth leaves a carbon footprint, but the efforts to offset that footprint are the difference.”

To get involved in offsetting your carbon emissions, please visit ReduceMyFootprint to learn about its different programs for individuals and businesses. It is everyone’s responsibility to help preserve Mother Earth for future generations.

UTS goes green

From plastic to paper, United Telecommunication Services (UTS), St. Maarten’s International and cellular phone service provider has decided to trade in its plastic bags for environmentally-friendly paper bags that will be given out to customers in an effort to raise awareness about the increasing pollution and the need to conserve resources in a changing world. Read more

Pro-Action is the Key to Surviving this Recession

 And I keep pounding on the airline issue. Here is another example how other Caribbean destinations (yes Bermuda is considered a Caribbean island!!) keep trying to lure customers in a dwindling martket. Wake up St. Maarten.

Zoom launches new direct Fort Lauderdale-Bermuda flights
By eTN | Jun 11, 2008

Zoom Airlines today announced details of its new, scheduled, low-cost service linking Fort Lauderdale with Bermuda.

The low-fare, full-service airline is operating a twice-weekly direct flight from Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda departing on Thursdays and Sundays. Zoom is the only airline to offer non-stop service on this route, delivering flexible, low-cost fares to Floridians seeking to enjoy a relaxing short-stay or full-holiday break in beautiful Bermuda.

“The traveling public of Fort Lauderdale will now be able to take advantage of our low-cost, direct flights to enjoy a short stay or extended holiday on the tranquil isle of Bermuda,” said Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of Zoom Airlines. “What’s appealing is that all our flights are high standard at low-cost and offer a full scheduled service onboard.”

“As a holiday destination, Bermuda offers outstanding dining and nightlife and boasts beautiful pink sand beaches and an abundance of activities for the entire family,” Hinkles added. “I am delighted to be adding Bermuda to the choice of affordable holiday destinations for those in Fort Lauderdale who can now travel at low cost direct to the island within three hours.”

Bermuda’s capital, Hamilton, is a must for nights out while the picturesque and historic town of St George’s is a UNESCO World Heritage site ideal for exploring during the day. Bermuda also boasts beautiful pink sand beaches including Horseshoe Bay and Elbow Beach.

When Times Get Tough, Jamaica turns to Faith Tourism

Smart Move Jamaica!!
Spending of faith and religion can never be too much on many people’s mind, so when times get tough, people turn to faith and religion. And Jamaica did notice how some African countries are making millions of dollars on faith based tourism.

Here’s the story that ran in eTurboNews on Jun 06, 2008

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Jamaica Government is embracing faith tourism efforts which stimulate the economy and provide medical care to its nationals.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Environment recently expressed appreciation to the San Diego-based Miles Ahead nonprofit organization for its faith-based humanitarian mission, in which 80 medical professionals brought some US $5 million in free medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and health care to Montego Bay. The volunteers, which included specialist doctors, pediatricians, surgeons, dentists and nurses, held free clinics and served an estimated 6,000 residents.

“The team must be commended for the excellent manner in which activities were organized to facilitate the treatment of patients, especially in deeply rural areas,” noted the local government authorities, who were impressed with the fast turn around time for Pap smear results facilitated by use of modern equipment.

“Timely results are crucial to the prevention of cervical cancer, which affects hundreds of women in the region. We also wish to place on record our special thanks for the gifts of equipment donated to the local health system,” the Ministry of Health and Environment stated.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett recently disclosed that Jamaica is actively working to target the important and growing faith-based travel market, highlighting the work of former NFL player Pastor Miles McPherson and his group of almost 300 Miles Ahead volunteers. Other teams of volunteers, in conjunction with local churches and community organizations, conducted sports clinics, deaf education workshops, and school assemblies, and helped renovate two local elementary schools.

Andria Hall, a US-based faith tourism expert and internationally recognized journalist and author who was on island for the outreach efforts, said she was heartened to see faith tourism - a niche she has long promoted in the region - coming to reality. “There is so much we can accomplish when we touch and agree on committing our work to the Lord,” said the former CNN News Anchor, who called on regional governments, the private sector and churches to work in close collaboration to target this market for the benefit of local communities.

Miles Ahead traveled to Jamaica as part of the Jamaica Broilers Group’s 50th anniversary celebrations and three major family-oriented festivals, under the Best Dressed 50 Fest banner, presented in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston. Messages were presented by evangelists Luis and Andrew Palau as well as McPherson himself.

Robert Levy, president of Jamaica Broilers, said his corporation and country were privileged to have Miles McPherson and Miles Ahead on the island, while gospel musician Papa San, who performed to tens of thousands during the crusade nights, said, “It’s been great to minister to my island, Jamaica.”

“The doctors you brought and the school repairs, it’s all so beautiful. There is a way out, not through guns, not through prostitution, but through Jesus Christ - seek Him first,” said former Jamaica soccer star Paul “Tegat” Davis. He joined with former Jamaica national Warren Barrett and a team of athletes led by ex-NBA basketball player Zack Jones as well as Darren Carrington, an ex-NFL player, to conduct free sports clinics for young people.

McPherson, referring to Miles Ahead’s participation in the growing faith tourism movement in the Caribbean, said “People of faith have a gift they are called to share. Once people of faith know a need, they will want to respond. Something supernatural happens when someone invests in another person’s life.”

Should Winair consider direct San Juan connections

In continuation of the stories last week about the US Virgin Islands taking measures to deal with American Airlines capacity cuts, Cape Air has now announced that it will increase its Caribbean service in October, a month after American’s cutbacks in the region take effect.

The Hyannis, Mass.-based carrier flies nine-passenger Cessna aircraft on the following routes: San Juan-St. Croix, San Juan-St. Thomas and St. Thomas-St. Croix.

Cape Air’s daily roundtrips between St. Thomas and San Juan will jump to 12 from seven. Its service between St. Croix and San Juan will increase from four to eight daily roundtrips.

Cape Air is adding four aircraft to handle what it expects to be increased demand, given that American is cutting capacity.

Even though we’re only talking about an airlift capacity increase of 80 people a day out of San Juan, this move shows that the USVI and its stakeholders are serious in finding answers to the dilemma created by American Airlines.

Question is, should St. Maarten’s Winair work out a similar deal of let’s say 4 daily trips to San Juan; get the ball rolling and if the demand increases, we can always add aircraft and schedules.

Just a thought.

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