Archive for the 'Ecotourism' Category

In recognition of Earth Day, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association organized an Environmental clean-up day in Providenciales.   Volunteers were assigned to various target areas around Grace Bay Road, Lower Bight, Leeward Highway and the Millennium Highway to try and reach a goal of collecting 500 bags of litter.

This year many of the Real Estate companies participated in the event.  Simon Padgett, Ramon Andrews and Lisa Hall of RE/MAX  ELITE volunteer to help clean up the garbage around the island to help promote a healthy and sustainable environment for residents and visitors alike.  The clean up program aims to educate and energize the population to take action to secure a healthy future for the island.  They hope that by cleaning up the islands, it will inspire people to continue to keep the island as its name states “Beautiful by Nature.”

Middle Caicos is the largest island in the Turks and Caicos chain, with an area of 48 square miles. However, it is the least populated island with less than 300 residents. Not yet spoiled by the trappings of large scale developments it is fast becoming a mecca for eco-tour opportunities. Most of the island is designated as protected parks and reserves.  The largest above water cave system in the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas is found in Middle Caicos.  Conch Bar caves are the most renowned with numerous underground caverns that were formed by an erosion of limestone. Tours through the caves with local guides are arranged by contacting Middle Caicos Coop.

Another Middle Caicos Eco-tourism project is The Crossing Place Trail (CPT). This magnificent old coastal path has been reopened from Conch Bar to a site along the western shores, known as the Crossing Place, where settlers use to Cross over to North Caicos. While hiking along the 5 mile trail that leads along the coastal headlands, down beaches and through inland bush you will encounter lots of the indigenous vegetation such as the Old Man Cactus or the Love Weed which legend insists will predict the outcome of a relationship. Take a local guide and listen to the tales of bush medicine made from a wide variety of plants.

While visiting Middle Caicos, you must stay at the Blue Horizon, an exclusive resort that occupies a half mile of beachfront. Blue Horizon preserves the natural setting of Middle Caicos, where you find the natural and undeveloped beach of Mudjin Harbour though a secret stairway in the cliff. There is never a crowd and each individual cottage is situated in secluded locations in the lush landscape. Click here to see Blue Horizon Resort

The quiet and unhurried seclusion of Middle Caicos, reminds you of how “the Caribbean use to be”.

The Turks and Caicos Islands; a place truly deserving of its slogan “Beautiful by nature.” The island is filled with pristine beaches, spectacular coral reef and crystal clear oceans that make this place picture perfect.

According to the definition and principles of eco-tourism established by “The International Eco-tourism Society” (TIES) in 1990, Eco-tourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (TIES, 1990)  The Turks and Caicos Islands have taken a stand to maintain an Eco-conscious environment by initiating many green friendly projects.

One example of the Turks and Caicos Islands efforts was the reserving of over 33% of its entire land and sea regions for preservation purposes; National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries and Protected Areas. Ramsar, one of the world’s largest bio-diversity wetland reserves accounts for 1/3 of East Caicos, ½ of Middle Caicos and ¼ of North Caicos.  A 1% Conservation Tax has also been levied on all accommodations to provide the funding to maintain and protect these sites.  As well many private sector donors and non-profit organizations like the Turks and Caicos National Trust have contributed resources to the preservation of the islands.

One of the Turks and Caicos National Trusts first accomplishments was the small island of Little Water Cay, where you can explore the native rock iguana, currently listed as a critically endangered species. In order to protect the burrows of the iguanas, two boardwalk nature trails were built to provide limited access to the cay.  Tour operators are located on the cay to teach visitors the importance of “iguana etiquette.”  This program is maintained by a charge of $3 per person when you visited the island.  This project has helped maintain the unique habitat of the rock iguana.

To protect the near shores reefs of Providenciales, known as Smith and Bight Reefs, another project was established.  These two reefs were badly impacted by snorkeling traffic due to their ease of access.  Funds were acquired through locally owned businesses and the Turks and Caicos Island’s Park Department, to install snorkeling trails on each.  The trails act to minimize damage to the coral reef by steering swimmers through safe passageways, as well as providing “educational” and “reef etiquette” information. The trail markers are specially constructed reef balls that provide habitat for fish and surface for corals to grow.  Eventually these signs will become “mini reefs”

If you are really concerned about lessening the impact on the environment when you travel come check out the Turks and Caicos Islands, where protecting the environment is a priority.

To learn more about eco-tourism in the Turks and Caicos, read next week’s blog on Middle Caicos and Pine Cay.