Speaking as part of a panel on the theme Challenges for the Caribbean Coastal Tourism Environment, they pointed to “the inexorable link” between the seemingly divergent causes of profit and ecological protection, with each playing a role in the future of Caribbean tourism.

According to Rick MacPherson, director of the conservation programme for the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL ), Caribbean leaders must consider a “triple bottom line” to address coastal environment sustainability as it relates to tourism.

 “The fact of the matter is that no conservation programme or goal is achievable unless it’s economically viable,” he said.  “It has to be a combination of business success, environmental protection and demonstrating social responsibility.”

MacPherson estimated losses between US$100 and US$300 million in revenues for the dive tourism industry in the Caribbean should the quality of the dive experience be diminished due to the destruction of coral reefs and loss of marine life.  He pointed to global climate change as a key driver of such destruction

He further warned that the ancillary effects of such a loss would have a wider scope of impact beyond tourism.

“Fifty per cent of all cancer research is focused on marine life originating from coral reefs,” said MacPherson.  “The drug AZT, which has prolonged the lives of thousands suffering from AIDS, comes through sponge species from coral reefs.”

Jeremy Collymore, coordinator of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), joined MacPherson in emphasising the role that the coastal environment plays.

He said not only do coastal regions play a significant role in driving the Caribbean’s tourism product, but they also as a source of food, livelihoods, natural defenses, and home to a significant percentage of Caribbean life, including animals and plants.

“Fifty per cent of the Caribbean population and a huge percentage of development live within two miles of the coast and are therefore extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” Collymore told delegates.

All panellists agreed with the session’s moderator, Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, that the conference itself is a step in the right direction for raising awareness and offering options for the region’s coastal tourism sustainability.

“The very fact that such a conference exists and attendance is up significantly shows that this is an issue  the tourism industry takes very seriously, and rightly so.  It may be the single most important issue facing us today and into the future,” Vanderpool-Wallace said.

 The 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism is organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board and the Caribbean Hotel Association. The conference ends on Thursday. For more information or to see live streaming video of the sessions, go to www.onecaribbean.org.