The event, organized by the Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster, brought together leading experts, representatives of tourism companies, non-governmental organizations, and local and international government actors interested in promoting more responsible and sustainable tourism through their success stories.
During the forum, various initiatives were presented that are achieving a positive impact on the sustainability of the tourism sector, covering topics such as efficient management of natural resources, reduction of the carbon footprint, promotion of inclusive practices and respect for local communities and their cultures. This exchange of experiences and knowledge aims to inspire more actors in the sector to adopt practices that contribute to a tourism that is not only economically viable, but also socially and environmentally responsible, allied to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Birgitt Heinsen, president of the Cluster, representing Ocean World, the host company, introduced the event by highlighting the importance of this forum and the institution's inclusive mission, which promotes a collaborative governance system, highlighting the importance of the Cluster model, based on the experience of the Puerto Plata destination. She also explained the importance of creating alliances between different sectors to move towards a tourism model that benefits current and future generations, and in this regard, she highlighted the support of the provincial governor, Claritza Rottche de Senior, and the municipal mayor, Diomedes García, who were present at the event.
Panels
The event consisted of four panels; the first, entitled “Building Smart and Resilient Destinations,” in which Yira Vermenton, director of Provincial Initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, shared their expectations; Víctor Pizarro, founder and senior partner of Berry Whale, a regional tourism marketing agency; and Felipe Vera Soto, vice president of Green Destinations in international instances.
The second topic, “Tourism and Communities: Preserving Local Resources and Enhancing Social Impact,” featured as panelists Bryn Toledano, CEO of the El Gallo Ecolodge ecotourism project; Roberto Gómez, administrator of the Saltos de la Damajagua Natural Monument; and Edza Sánchez, coordinator of Social Responsibility Project Outreach at ITM Group.
Mileyka Brugal, president of the Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce and Production, addressed the impact and repercussions of the “Cultivating Good Water” project, while the Ecologist and Environmental Manager, Manuel Alejandro Rodriguez Redondo, director of the Maguá Ecological Foundation, presented the institutional summary of the entity.
The third panel, titled “Circular Economy in Tourism,” included Renata Lordello, executive director of the Heroes of the Environment Foundation and the “Zero Waste” project; and Fernando Ramírez, co-founder of the Heroes of the Environment Foundation, Inc., a non-governmental organization and member of the Zero Waste International Alliance.
As one of the international panelists, the forum featured a presentation by Richard Pruitt, Vice President of Environmental Operations for Carnival Cruise Line, who addressed the topic “Climate Action in Cruise Tourism: The Path to Carbon Neutrality.” In his presentation, the respected professional outlined how the company is focused on further strengthening and expanding environmental programs and practices, both on board ships and on land.
All panels were moderated by Jetti María de Jesús Salcedo, consultant for the evaluation and improvement of Tourist Destination Management, a professional with several decades of experience in the tourism sector and currently a professor in the Department of Hotel Administration at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).
Experience on board
One of the key moments of the event was the second phase, which took place at the port of Amber Cove, aboard the Carnival Celebration cruise ship, where the forum participants were able to experience a tour of the ship's facilities, witnessing the implementation of tools and policies that the company develops for best practices in different contexts, thus promoting a multiplier effect.
Support and importance
The forum, which was sponsored and supported by Ocean World, Amber Cove and Carnival Corporation, AERODOM, Easy Event Solutions, World 2 Meet, Macorix House of Rum, Rincón del Café and Banco Popular, reaffirms its commitment to becoming an annual reference in the field of sustainable tourism, with the vision of being a platform where the sector can find inspiration, innovate and collaborate to build tourism that respects and protects natural and cultural environments, while strengthening local economies.
“The successful implementation of this forum is proof that sustainable tourism is possible and necessary, and that working together and exchanging good practices are key to achieving this,” concluded Birgitt Heinsen.
Source: Puerto Plata Destination Tourism Cluster.