Partnerships in Sustainable Tourism

Frank E. Roulstone IIIGeneral Manager

National Trust for the Cayman Islands

The Purposes of the National Trust are:

…the preservation of the historic, natural and maritime heritage of the Islands…, the conservation of lands, natural features and submarine areas of beauty, historic or environmental importance…, the protection of native flora and fauna.” -THE NATIONAL TRUST LAW (22 OF 1987) (1997 Revision)

The Trust, through its mission, provides a critical component to the provision of sustainable tourism, and especially

Eco-tourism and Heritage Tourism.

The Trust is a non-profit, non-governmental organization.

The Trust is uniquely positioned to provide authentic heritage and nature products for residents and visitors.

Attractions:•Historic Properties and Sites

•Environmental Reserves

•Captive Breeding Programs

Service Products:•Nature Experiences

•Cultural demonstrations

•Historic experiences

•Island Information

How Do We Do It?

• Community Support– Memberships– Donations– Fees– Patronage

• Government Grant• Departmental Support

Community Support

• Is the largest source of funding for the Trust averaging about 80% of income

Government and National Trust

worked together on the Brac

Parrot Reserve….

…but government then allowed the complete destruction of the adjoining property

The Department of Tourism

• Has given financial assistance to the upgrading of several Trust sites

• Provides marketing support

The National Trust provides…quality tourism products

assistance to the Department with:

visiting journalists

conferences

advice

information

Strange bedfellows?

No,

• The similarities out-weigh the differences• We are both working toward a common

goal• There are benefits to both parties• The skies the limit!

• And yes, we have the occasional disagreement, but we have managed to work through them!

What do we do?

Visitors Centres

•Little Cayman

•George Town

•Cayman Brac

•Eastern Districts

•Fort George

•Dr. Roy’s Ironshore •Watler Cemetery

•Savannah Schoolhouse

Historic Sites

•Mission House•Guardhouse Park

•Lighthouse Park•Mass Grave Site

•Heritage Beach

Public Use Site

•The Splits,•Cayman Brac

•Brac Parrot Reserve,•Cayman Brac

•Booby Pond Reserve,•Little Cayman

•Gov. Gore Bird Sanctuary

•Mastic Reserve and Trail

•Central Mangrove Wetlands

•Blue Iguana Recovery Program

•Traditional Cooking Class,•Historic Walking Tour,•Nature walk

Mastic Hikes, Birdwatching, Mangrove Boat Cruise

Where do we go from here?

• With the continued support of government and the private sector we will continue to:

• Add educational and recreational activities

• Expand our reserves and increase public access

• Acquire, rehabilitate and put to use historic structures

• Acquire more Public-access coastline

• New Visitors Centre for West Bay

• All directly enhance Cayman’s Tourism Product.

We cannot do it alone….

But working together we all can make a difference.