CEC attends Blue Flag / FEE Meeting in Tobago
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a NGO based in Copenhagen (but a registered UK charity) which is one of the world’s largest environmental education organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries. See https://www.fee.global
FEE runs various programmes:
Blue Flag Programme
(the iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained
Green Key programme
A leading international eco-label awarded to accommodations and other hospitality facilities that commit to sustainable business practices. Awarded establishments comply with strict criteria, independently verified through regular on-site audits.
Eco Schools
The largest global sustainable schools programme – it starts in the classroom and expands to the community by engaging the next generation in action-based learning.
The Blue Flag/Green Key/Eco Schools programmes are very important for the Caribbean. Tourism is the lifeblood for many of the Caribbean countries. Travellers are not only becoming more discerning but some of the booking mechanisms eg booking.com have “green” certification as a pre-requisite for their platform. Other tourist destinations are greening quicker than the Caribbean so this is now a commercial priority.
FEE held their Blue Flag global national operators meeting in Tobago which had an opening event hosted by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Tobago would like to pivot towards sustainable tourism. CEC Chair Melanie Chen was invited to be one of the judges of the Blue Flag Sustainable Fashion Show for secondary schools in Tobago.
After the FEE meeting in Tobago, CEC hosted a meeting with FEE and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO – Dona Prosper Regis and team) to facilitate introductions.
