JHTA, EAST recognise environmental champions
THE Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) and its United States Agency for International Development-assisted Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) project, recognised 15 environmental leaders at its 2002 Environmental Awards presentation held at Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club, recently.
Copping the top award — EAST/JHTA Environmental Champion 2002/2003 — was Richard May, environmental director of Sandals Resorts International while the JHTA Port Antonio Chapter was named Environmental Chapter of the Year.
In the hotels’ category, three environmental champions were recognised. They were: Shawna Myrie of Runaway Bay Heart Hotel & Training Institute; Donna Kenlocke of Rondel Village Resorts and Melissa Gunning of Sandals Negril.
Surprise awards were also presented to Hugh Cresser, EAST project coordinator and Howard Batson, director, Office of Environment of USAID for their stewardship of the project.
EAST is a collaborative initiative between the USAID, the JHTA and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association with technical assistance being provided by PA Consulting Group of the USA.
Seven awards were presented to “Environmental Ambassadors” in the non-government organisation (NGO) category, including Kathy Byles of the Ocho Rios-based, Friends of the Sea; Jean Brown, former director of the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society; Jill Williams of the Montego Bay Marine Park; Jean Jackson, Negril Chamber of Commerce; Caryl Grant, Portland Environment Preservation Association; Johnny McFarlane of the Walkerswood Farmers Project; and Scott McCormick of the Coastal Water Quality Improvement Project.
Three “international partners”, Leroy Lewis of the Mount Hope Hotel in St Vincent; Mercedes Silva, Caribbean Tourism Organisation and Royston Hopkin, vice-chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), were also recognised.
The Black River Safari in St Elizabeth and the Hollywell Recreational Centre in the Blue and John Crow Mountains and Environment Park, won awards in the attractions category.
