The Tribune

ETHICAL Traveller, a non-profit organisation that compiles an annual list of countries to visit around the world, has named the Bahamas in its World’s Ten Best Ethical Destinations for 2014.

“We’re pleased to welcome the Bahamas back to our list this year,” said an article published on the Ethical Traveller website. “Efforts to establish new Marine Protected Areas and the massive expansion of the number of protected acres in Andros West Side National Park are important steps towards conservation and sustainability.”

Responding to the news, the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) said it is proud that its initiatives played a prominent role in this achievement.

“This is wonderful news for the BNT,” said Eric Carey, Trust executive director. “This is good news for the Bahamas and it validates the work that we are doing. This also gives great justification for our efforts to convince the government to create even more national parks. 2014.”

In addition to mentioning the work the BNT is doing with national parks, the report also noted the environmental education programmes in various islands.

“Education programmes for Bahamian youth were established more than 30 years ago. Today, thousands of Bahamian school children have experienced nature through organized visits to national parks and award-winning presentations,” the article said.

Portia Sweeting, BNT’s director of education, said: “Increasing environmental stewardship in the Bahamas is a standing strategic objective of the BNT. We are really proud to have connected so many Bahamians to our national Parks through our education programmes. “We strive to provide extraordinary hands-on national park encounters to engage school children, community and social youth groups as well as a large cadre of volunteers.”

Another important area that helped the Bahamas make the list was its strength in protecting endangered animals.

The article noted that the Bahamas has the world’s largest colonies of flamingoes, Bahama Parrots and Andros Iguanas.

The protection of nature preserves, diving, coral reefs, sharks and the Andros Barrier reef were also noted.

The Bahamas made the list in 2012 and the BNT said this return encourages them to continue their work in preserving the Bahamian environment for years to come.

Ethical Traveller describes itself as “an all-volunteer, non-profit organisation, and a project of the Earth Island Institute. No money or donations of any kind are solicited or accepted from any nations, governments, travel bureaus or individuals in the creation of our annual list.”