TCHTA Encourages Environmental Protection for World Environmental Day 2019

#Providenciales, June 5, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In recognition of World Environmental Day, June 5, 2019, the TCHTA is doing its part to raise awareness around environmental protection in Turks and Caicos.  As such, they are reminding all residents and visitors to use this day as an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to being environmentally responsible and maintaining a viable tourism product.  

In keeping with the theme of the day, the TCHTA encourages all residents and visitors to keep their surrounding areas and communities clean. “The responsibility of maintaining our environment falls on each and every one of us,” said Todd Foss, newly elected president of the TCHTA. “It’s important that we all do our part, and we’re hoping that we can encourage more and more people to join in on keeping the country clean and beautiful”.

Speaking about the impact to the tourism sector, Foss said, “Environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand, especially for our small destination. We would like to remind all residents and guests that their everyday actions can either help or harm the natural resources of this country. We all contribute to the long-term success of tourism in the TCI.”

The TCHTA has long been committed to this cause. Through its bi-annual TCI Shines Initiative, the association focuses on the cleanliness of the destination and encourages all residents to make continued efforts to keep the destination ‘beautiful by nature’. The association has also taken the environmental message to the schools through programs such as the TCI Shines Schools’ Big Bin Competition and the Green Project; a collaboration with the environmental clubs. 

 “The sensitization and education of our country’s young minds is important because they are the ones who will drive the message home to their families and take these values into the future,” said Stacy Cox, CEO of the Hotel Association.  “We commend the TCI Government for their forward movement on the plastic ban initiative.  We applaud their environmental commitment and look forward to continuing our work with the local youth as we roll out our educational program in the near future, and we are happy to once again collaborate with the DECR in these efforts”.

“A big part of our efforts to maintain our destination is reducing, or eliminating where possible, single-use plastics in the country,” said Cox. “A number of our members have already replaced plastic straws with paper alternatives and we’re now working to educate the public on the danger that single-use plastics pose to our country”.

The TCHTA supports all efforts to increase environmental awareness and they encourage everyone to use World Environmental Day 2019 as a day to reflect on their environmental choices and how it will impact the future generations of this country.

“A sustainable future begins with you!” she concluded.

Release: TCHTA