Written By: UNWTO, interested in promoting the activities of MARTI as a role model of sustainable practices in other destinations
Playa del Carmen, february 18, 2013.- On Friday, the 1st of February, MARTI, The Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative, had an outstanding participation in FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair held in Madrid, Spain. The FITUR GREEN forum focused on tourism and the sustainability thereof, sharing achievements obtained as a result of the programs implemented in the Riviera Maya, Cozumel, and other areas of Quintana Roo, México.
MARTI was invited to the FITUR by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), so the General Director of MARTI, Thomas Meller, was responsible for making the presentation of the projects to a debate round table “Sustainable Tourism of the XXI century”. Prior to this there was a meeting with the Technical Hotel Institute of Spain (ITH), to study the possibility of reaching a work agreement with MARTI to promotebetter environmental practices in the hotel Industries between Spain and Mexico.
At the debate table, focus was placed on experience gained and work carried out by 130 hotels and approximately 60 aquatic services providers in the Riviera Maya and Cozumel areas. The presentation dealt with the implementation of the better environmental management programs developed for investors and developers of the region. This work was aided by the “Sustainable Planning, Design, and Construction Guide for the Riviera Maya and the Mexican Caribbean”, published by MARTI and Quintana Roo State Government.
The possibility of future cooperation between the two groups, MARTI and the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH, Spain), was discussed by Thomas Meller (MARTI), and Coralía Pino López, who is responsible for Projects, Sustainability, and Efficiency of the ITH. Both sides showed enthusiasm in continuing discussions on this subject throughout the coming months, mainly due to the number of Spanish Hotel chains that operate in Mexico.
Also participating in the FITUR 2103 meetings was Luigi Cabrini, Director of Sustainable Development of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), where interest was expressed in promoting the activities of MARTI as a role model of sustainable practices in other destinations. To further this agenda, MARTI was invited to participate in the “Tourism, Sustainability, and Climate Change Forum of Central America”, which will be held in La Ceiba, Honduras, from April 11th to 13th of 2013.