(PRWEB UK) 30 August 2012

Sergio Garcia from The Holiday Place knows only too well the impact of a devastating hurricane as they have been organising holidays in the Caribbean for the past 25 years.

We are much more knowledgeable about the world in general, he says and the Internet means we are also more intimate with the rest of the globe. Travellers no longer view Cuba or Antigua, for example, as exotic playgrounds which they visit for two weeks once a year and then forget about. We have a much greater sense of collective responsibility these days, think back to 2004 and the devastating Indian Ocean tsunamis and remember the whole worlds generous support as a prime example. People were shocked having known the beautiful places which were literally wiped off the map at that time

A Hurricane can quickly transform a tranquil Caribbean holiday scene like this one in Antigua.

Sustainable and responsible tourism is extremely important both for the industry at large and of course the consumer and those living and working within it. Think about it, would you support a massive tourist development which would be prone to rising sea levels for example? Without a clear strategy parts of the Caribbean will become increasingly vulnerable to environmental risks as a result of any ill-advised expansion in coastal tourism.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment in Jamaica, for example, stated that disaster risk management should be integrated with climate change adaptation in any further developments over the region.

Sergio Garcia goes on to say We have seen the significant expansion of coastal tourism right across the Caribbean especially over the last 10 years and people will be asking themselves whether they would actually travel to somewhere not deemed safe or secure. September is, after all, very beautiful in the Caribbean and in many ways would be the ideal time to visit but it is also at the height of the hurricane season. However, rates are also extremely attractive at this time. These are the choices that tourists are facing.

I think holidaymakers, with a wealth of information at their fingertips, know only too well what risks natural disasters pose and are rightly asking what assurances they can expect if such a natural hazard should occur. It does seem that tourism agencies should think very carefully about managing sustainable tourism at a time when climate change is beginning to have such a dramatic impact in all kinds of ways; lets face it we have even seen it in the UK.

The Holiday Place is delighted to introduce a new project labelled, The Regional Monitoring and Evaluation System for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation in the Caribbean Tourism. It is being headed up by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and other collaborators. This project means business and can only serve to make further improvements and capitalise on a heightened awareness that already exists. The Caribbean, after all is such a popular destination for our clients and twin centre holidays give tourists the opportunity to really explore these beautiful islands. A fantastic new package we are offering will allow the traveller to explore the Baroque architecture of Old Havana and the beaches close to the city and then experience a fabulous retreat which offers an opportunity to lap up total seclusion and luxury on a coastline cottage in South Western Antigua.

It’s true, tourism continues to evolve, travellers expectations shift and climate change itself is impacting on the whole planet. The Holiday Place is delighted to support new ecotourism strategies and is happy to advise any potential traveller about every aspect of planning a holiday in Cuba, Jamaica, Antigua or anywhere in the Caribbean, whatever itinerary they might have in mind.

Call now on 020 7644 1770 or click here http://www.theholidayplace.co.uk