Clúster Turístico del Destino Puerto Plata (CTDPP), with the support of the Iberostar Group and the Amber Cove cruise port, successfully held the first sustainability forum in this province, entitled: “Exchange of Good Sustainability Practices in Tourism”.
The event, which took place at Iberostar Costa Dorada, brought together participants committed to sustainable development in the tourism industry, and focused on the exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge around sustainable practices for companies that are part of the tourism value chain.
Four thematic panels were the epicenter of the day, addressing different Sustainable Development Goals, such as Quality Education, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action and Underwater Life, as well as reflections on the importance of measuring indicators and certifying sustainable practices in tourism.
The forum represented a significant milestone in the commitment to sustainability in tourism in Puerto Plata and it is hoped that initiatives such as these will serve as catalysts for the widespread adoption of more sustainable practices in the industry, thus contributing to sustainable development at the environmental and socio-cultural levels, according to a press release.
The topics addressed during the panels were: “Quality Education as a Driver of Sustainability in Tourism”, focused on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; “How to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”, related to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Also addressed were “The role of tourism companies in protecting the planet and the oceans”, motivated by SDGs 13 and 14: Climate Action and Underwater Life; and “Impact Measurement and Certifications”, a reflection on the importance of measuring and certifying sustainable practices in tourism.
The panels were developed by: Elvis Pérez, from Infotep; Bryn Toledano, for El Gallo Ecolodge; Eliezer Núñez, from Fundación Cultura Viva; Renata Lordello, for Fundación Héroes del Medio Ambiente; Luz Valentina Lantigua, from Iberostar Group; Edgar Ventura, for Amber Cove; Eduardo Daniel Méndez, for the Ministry of Environment; Lissette Gil, expert consultant in Sustainable Tourism; Jean Pereyra Camps, from the company EcoAtlántico and Birgitt Heinsen, for Ocean World.
In addition, María Luisa Vásquez, from the Department of Sustainable Tourism of the Ministry of Tourism; Verónica Muñoz, international consultant of TourCert; Luis Santana, from the Ecotourism Cluster of Barahona; and Laura Partal Hued, representing Banco Popular Dominicano.
Source: Arecoa
