The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

INAGUA was described yesterday as an “eco-tourism hub”, with the Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) executive chairman telling Tribune Business the organisation had prepared a draft plan for the number and types of jobs that could be created via nature-based experiences there.

Eric Carey said the BNT endorsed Prime Minister Perry Christie’s idea to develop islands such as Inagua as eco-tourism destinations. Mr Christie recently revealed he had held discussions with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) over providing financial assistance to help bring “new life” to Inagua as an island destination, capitalising on its wildlife resources.

And Mr Carey told Tribune Business: “We’ve met with the Prime Minister several times, and he has expressed that he wanted to see islands like Inagua, especially, but also Andros and Abaco use the environment to create nature-based experiences, and with a direct linkage to create more jobs.

“We’re talking tour guides, small lodge operators, more park wardens etc. We’ve embraced it, it’s just a matter of finding the right formula for getting all the right people in place and getting the right people trained but. absolutely. we think it’s a great idea.”

Mr Carey added: “We have prepared at the request of Minister Khaalis Rolle a draft outline for the types of jobs and rough number of jobs that could be created in Inagua.

“This type of project will obviously require collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. We hope some of the funding being talked about may be used to help us engage an appropriate short-term consultant to give the Prime Minister a proper outline as to the types of jobs, numbers of jobs.

“Then we need to discuss what does someone need to set up a small eco-tourism business and providing them financial support. The Bahamas National Trust thinks it’s a brilliant idea and good opportunity to showcase the National Parks and the value they have in providing income to local communities.”

Henry Nixon, the BNT’s senior park warden overseeing the 287 square mile Inagua National Park, said Inagua was an “eco-tourism haven”.

He added: “We have the resources here. We have the wildlife and everything here. We have people come in for that, but it could be a lot better.

“Inagua has a lot to offer. We have the wildlife, the donkeys, the flamingos and over 100 different species of birds. Inagua is an eco-tourism haven. If the Government and the Bahamas National Trust can work together we can move forward.”

Accommodation on the island is one of the main challenges, according to Mr Nixon.

“We really only have about three good guest houses. That’s sort of our biggest challenge, having a place for people to live. We have three flights a week but our accommodations are really our biggest problem,” said Mr Nixon.