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INTRODUCTION This fact sheet describes the objectives, activities and results of the USAID/Jamaica-funded Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) Project. The information provided here covers the period since its inception in July 1997 through to the third phase
which began in June 2000 and ended in December 2002. PA Consulting Group (formerly Hagler Bailly Services) is implementing the project. BACKGROUND EAST began in 1997 as a demonstration of the benefits of improved environmental management in the hotel and manufacturing sectors. The first phase included environmental audits, EMS training and supplying environmental equipment in 14 hotels in Negril, and audits of ten manufacturing facilities in Kingston/St. Andrew. The program was extended in 1998-1999 to include additional hotel/manufacturing audits, introduction of the Green Globe 21
(GG21) certification, analysis of financing and economic incentives for both tourism and manufacturing, and the development of an institutional plan for the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association to sustain the efforts of the EAST Project. At the request of past and new EAST counterparts, USAID/Jamaica agreed to provide funding for a 30-month program from June 2000 to December 2002. Principal counterparts are: Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Jamaica Manufacturers Association, Ministry of
Industry and Tourism, National Environmental and Planning Agency, and Jamaica Bureau of Standards. Because of the common objectives and program focus for the Eastern Caribbean, EAST activities are also being coordinated with interested public and private sector organizations in the Eastern Caribbean. Activities of EAST are coordinated with two other USAID/Jamaica projects: Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project (CWIP) and the Ridge to Reef Project. GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE The geographic coverage of EAST is both national and regional and EAST activities are open to participation from all tourism and manufacturing areas in Jamaica. EAST activities are designed to transfer successful policies and practices to the wider Caribbean through development of case studies, presentations at regional conferences, and coordinating visits of public and private sector decision makers to Jamaica. EAST PROJECT OBJECTIVES The objectives of the EAST Project are to: -
Consolidate and expand the application of sound environmental management in the hotel/tourist industry and
the manufacturing sector with a special emphasis on creating linkages between both industries, -
Develop environmental champions in the hotel and manufacturing industries to encourage adoption of best environmental management practices by others in
these industries, -
Build the capabilities of both Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association and the Jamaica Manufacturers Association to offer environmental management services to their members (and non-members), -
Work with vocational and tertiary institutions to include best environmental management practices in their hospitality and tourism curricula, -
Transfer the lessons learned from the first phase of the project to other businesses in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, -
Develop and implement a pilot plan for Port Antonio/Portland as a model for a sustainable tourism destination program. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES The scope of work of EAST encompasses multiple activities across two sectors: tourism and manufacturing. The following are some of the activities that have been conducted and some that are in the process of being implemented. If you require more details on any of the activities listed below, please contact the EAST Project office at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, 2 Ardenne Rd. Kingston 5 Tel: (876)
920-3482, 926-3635 - 6 / 2796, Fax: (876) 929-1054; e-mail: east@infochan.com 1. Environmental Audits 2. GREENGLOBE 21 Certification 3. Training for Local Consultants 4. Greening Negril 2000 5. Environmental leadership in the hotel and tourism industry 6. Establish Runaway Bay HEART Hotel as a model
green-tourism educational institution 7. Environmental Leadership Program in Manufacturing Industry 8. Economic Growth and Investment Plan to Support Sustainable Development in Port
Antonio/Portland 9. EMS Club 10.
Case Studies: - Best Practices - from environmental champions 11.
National and Regional Benchmarks for the hospitality sector 12.
International Hotel environmental exchange programme with Fairmont Hotels (formally Canadian
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Pacific Hotels) 13.
International linkages (Egypt, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) 14.
Environmental Best Practices Recommendations 15.
Educational Symposium and Green Hotel Conference and Exhibition Achievements to Date: Over 50 hotels have been audited and/or assessed. Over thirty are actively implementing EMS in their operations 24 hotels have been GG certified 1 Attraction has been GG21 certified, while 2 more
are seeking certification in 2003 Developed an audit protocol for Attractions - 7 pilots being undertaken now. Two are working to be certified by yearend. Developed
green-curriculum at Runaway Bay HEART Hotel and Training Institute.
They are preparing for GG certification in August. Developing - Best Practices - Training video in conjunction with HEART/NTA. Developing a Sustainable Development Action Plan for Portland and have established a Destination Management Group to spearhead the Destination Certification Process Trained TPDCo Inspectors in Audit Assessment Working with TPDCo to look at incorporating environmental best practices into operating standards Over 15 Manufacturing companies have been audited and in the process of setting up EMS preparing for ISO14001 certification
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