The Tribune

A two-day Small Island Developing States Conference (SIDS), which is set to kick-off on February 19, will be the highlight of the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Sustainable Tourism Month’.
 The Ministry has designated February as Sustainable Tourism Month, in keeping with the 50th anniversary of the country’s number industry.

The anniversary celebration will last throughout 2014, and part of the activities have been planned to promote sustainable development and the appreciation of the country’s natural and cultural resources.

Earlston McPhee, director of sustainable tourism in the Ministry of Tourism, underscored the importance of preserving the environment for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate.

A Small Island Developing States Conference (SIDS) is slated for February 19-20 at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort on Cable Beach. The conference is being sponsored by the Ministry in conjunction with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Inter-American Development Bank, and be held under the theme: ‘Tourism as a Key Sector for Development in Island States’.
 Following the conference, an exhibition will be staged from February 25 to 27. It will feature concepts of sustainability, and is designed to encourage students to use their skills and passion to pursue sustainable development by embracing cultural aspects unique to the Bahamas.

Other activities planned for February are the restoration of the Queen’s Staircase and other historic sites around the country, and a top 12 natural wonders of the Bahamas will be identified through a competition.

The event will seek to identify the best beaches in the country. Also planned, which will round off the month, are energy savings campaigns and a clean-up campaign to identify the best beaches in the country.