Dates:

^{6 - 10 November 2006}

Venue:

Normandie Hotel
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Overview:

In an era of shrinking agricultural markets for traditional Caribbean products such as sugar and bananas, community-based tourism (CBT) offers one of the few new livelihood opportunities for people in rural communities.  This five day workshop builds on case studies of successful CBT initiatives within the region and notably on the experience of the Saint Lucia Heritage Tourism Programme (SLHTP).   The workshop aims to provide government, private sector and non-governmental stakeholders with key tools and methods, such as stakeholder identification and mobilisation; community visioning and consensus building; community and product assessments; monitoring and evaluation. This initiative is a collaborative effort between CANARI, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Ministry of Tourism in Trinidad.   

Objectives:

• To provide an overview of tourism, and specifically CBT in the Caribbean;
• To develop an understanding of the status and potential of CBT in the Caribbean;
• To reach consensus on working definitions of key terms related to CBT;
• To identify the actual and potential benefits to be derived from CBT at selected sites and events in the Caribbean;
• To share methods and approaches that can be used to facilitate the effective involvement of stakeholders in the development of CBT business and other revenue-generating opportunities;
• To identify key steps in converting a vision into a strategic plan for the development of a CBT product;
• To review a module on best practices for CBT in the Caribbean;

Course Outline and topics:

Day 1

1.1       Welcome, Introductions and overview of workshop

1.2       Overview of tourism and community-based tourism in the Caribbean

1.3       Tourism and CBT in the Caribbean

1.4        Key concepts and definitions

1.5        Selection of case study sites, attractions or events for small group work

Day 2

Feedback on Day 1

1.6      Introduction to strategic planning for CBT

1.7      Introduction to participatory planning, stakeholder identification and

           mobilisation

1.7      Stakeholder identification and mobilisation strategies for case study sites

1.8      Identifying and maximising the benefits of CBT to stakeholders

Day 3

Feedback on Day 2

1.9     Criteria for community and CBT assessments

1.10   FIELD TRIP

Day 4

Feedback on Day 3

1.11   Applying the criteria for community and CBT assessments to case study sites

        1.11a   Introduction to CBT Manual

1.12    Community visioning and building consensus

Day 5

Feedback on Day 4

1.13   Strategic interventions for case study sites

1.14   Identifying expertise required to implement strategies

1.15   Overview of monitoring and evaluation

1.16   Workshop evaluation and closure

1.17   Next steps - How can the CBT Manual be used effectively by participants in their respective countries?

Approach:

This workshop will draw on case studies and lessons learned from the Saint Lucia Heritage Tourism Programme and earlier CANARI experience of building capacity for CBT.

The workshop will be highly participatory and use a combination of plenary discussions group work and field application of learning.

The workshop is designed for all persons who are – or would like to become - engaged in community development through community-based tourism processes, including leaders of community organisations, NGO managers, and technical staff in government agencies that play a role in the development of these communities or the development of tourism.

Costs & funding:

The total costs of participation in US dollars are as follows:

Local participants = $650
Includes field trips, tuition, lunches, group dinner and materials

Overseas participants = $1,750
Includes tuition, field trips, lunches, group dinner, materials, five nights accommodation, transfers, airport taxes, and evening meals

The cost of airfare is not included; however CANARI can make the flight reservations.

A limited number of fellowships are available to cover participant costs.

Facilitators:

The workshop is being co-ordinated and facilitated by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI)

Click here for an Application form

For more information contact Patricia Franco at:

Administration Building
Fernandes Industrial Centre
Eastern Main Road
Laventille
Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: 868 626 6062
Fax: 868 626 1788
E-mail:info@canari.org
Website: http://www.canari.org/