As the World comes together to observe 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO) is celebrating World Tourism Day (WTD) today. Hosted officially this year by China, it is being held under the theme ‘Tourism and Biodiversity’.
This year’s theme provides a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life on Earth.
Biodiversity is a key tourism asset and fundamental to its sustained growth. Intact and healthy ecosystems form the cornerstone of thousands of tourist enterprises and products worldwide, attracting hundreds of millions of tourists each year.
For years, the people of Guyana have demonstrated real commitment to the preservation of nature and biodiversity, most notably as it relates to our still largely intact tropical rainforest.
As a leading economic activity, sustainable tourism has an important role and responsibility in managing and conserving biological natural resources.
In Guyana, tourism and biodiversity are a natural fit as we are promoting ourselves as a pristine nature and eco destination with its unique natural wonders and high biodiversity.
More than 80% of Guyana is still covered by pristine forests, and it is one of the countries with the highest biodiversity in the world.
Testament to its commitment towards protecting our environment is His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo who has been leading the fort in ensuring our future sustainability, and was awarded the prestigious 2010 Champions of the Earth Award by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for his outstanding international leadership in combating climate change and his pioneering model on low carbon economic development.
We recognise that tourism has an important role to play in protecting our biodiversity, and Guyana – the Amazon Adventure –  has been moving towards sustainable tourism, attracting nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the eco tourist alike, with our rich blend of flora and fauna, and natural beauty, and has been exploring niche markets such as birding tourism, community-based tourism, and agro-tourism.
A model of conservation and sustainability is Iwokrama which is one of our protected areas, occupying one million acres of forest where partnerships with local communities and the private sector are built to combine traditional knowledge, science and business to develop ‘green’, socially responsible and sustainable forest products, and offers the opportunity for an exceptional natural experience.
Even this year’s theme for Guyana and the Caribbean’s premier trade fair and exposition, GuyExpo 2010 is reflective of the importance of sustainability and the need to safeguard our environment while catapulting our country forward, with the expo’s theme being “Promoting Investment in a Sustainable Environment.”
As a key source of income and employment, tourism often provides strong incentives to protect biodiversity. Sustainable tourism can furthermore generate significant revenues for conservation and community development and help to raise awareness of biodiversity issues.
Guyana remains committed to safeguarding our natural treasures and our ‘green gold’.
The theme ‘Tourism and Biodiversity’ is particularly pertinent in 2010 and concerned by the continued loss of biological diversity, the United Nations Assembly declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity.
The year coincides with the target adopted by governments in 2002, to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss.
“Tourism and biodiversity are mutually dependent. UNWTO wishes to raise awareness and calls upon the tourism stakeholders and travellers themselves to contribute their part of the global responsibility to safeguard the intricate web of unique species and ecosystems that make up our planet” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
We are committed to preserving and conserving our biodiversity for future generations.