NASSAU, BAHAMAS— The Bahamas National Coastal Awareness Committee and The Colours Entertainment & Junkanoo Organization/Ambasah both received commendations at the Caribbean Travel Organization (CTO)/Travel Mole Sustainable Tourism Awards held recently in Georgetown, Guyana.
The awards, which took place at the end of the 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-13), were comprised of five categories covering all aspects of sustainability, from overall excellence, to accommodation, community, heritage and biodiversity.
The National Coastal Awareness Committee of The Bahamas was highly commended for the Community Benefit Award category for their work in preserving and protecting the coastal environment.
“We were honoured to receive a commendation at the awards,” said Earlston McPhee, Chairman of the National Coastal Awareness Committee, who along with Stuart Cove flew to Guyana to represent the Committee.
“The Bahamas National Coastal Awareness Committee was formed through a collective concern by stakeholders in the private and public sector to preserve and protect our coastal environment. It is our committee’s belief that in order to mitigate the impacts that serious threats have on the sustainability of our incredible natural resources, our stakeholders need to be educated and become fully aware of the consequences of inaction. To be recognized for our work as being a benefit to our community is particularly gratifying.”
The Colours Entertainment and Junkanoo Organization/Ambasah also received a high commendation in the Heritage Protection award category for their work in preserving the Junkanoo tradition of art, dance and music. Christian Justilien, founder of the Colours organization and Ambasah Band has worked tirelessly to teach younger generations the history, music and tradition of our uniquely Bahamian heritage. His Colours Junkanoo group has proudly represented the Bahamas around the world bringing the pageantry and music of Junkanoo to fans of every culture. His band “Ambasah” continues to be one of the leading bands on the music scene in Nassau performing at major corporate events around the island.
“It was a pleasure to travel to Guyana and be recognized for the work we have done in promoting and teaching our Bahamian Junkanoo tradition,” said Mr. Justilien. “Colours Entertainment & Junkanoo Organization will continue to innovate, teach and preserve our Junkanoo heritage.”
The CTO and TravelMole awards are aimed at identifying, recognizing and showcasing sustainable tourism best practices in the Caribbean, which embrace sustainable tourism concepts and core values, and which helps to enhance the tourism product offerings. The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people.
The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.
The National Coastal Awareness Committee of the Bahamas, a group of stakeholders from the private and public sectors with an interest in promoting the sustainable development of The Bahamas, is celebrating ten years of creating awareness of the coastal environment.
“Our coastal and marine resources help shape our nation’s character and its distinctive personality,” adds Mr. McPhee. “All beneficiaries of the tourism industry must take an interest and active role in conserving our natural resources, particularly in growing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like The Bahamas. As we depend on the tourism industry the economic sustainability of The Bahamas hinges on our ability to maintain the natural beauty of these islands that attracts millions to our shores. We are all in this together and as our motto states ‘If not us…Who? If not Now…When?’”
For more information on National Coastal Awareness month, “Like” the Bahamas National Coastal Awareness Committee on Facebook , or to become a sponsor please contact Earlston McPhee at 356-6963/67/38.
Submitted By Kelly Meister
Photo Caption: Secretary General of CTO, Hugh Riley (Second from left), presents Christian Justilien of The Colours Entertainment and Junkanoo Organization/Ambasah (second from right); Stuart Cove, of the National Coastal Awareness Committee (far right); and Earlston McPhee, of the National Coastal Awareness Committee (left), with their commendations during the Caribbean Travel Organization (CTO)/Travel Mole Sustainable Tourism Awards in Georgetown, Guyana.
