CNMI advised to lay bets on eco-tourism

The Pacific Asia Travel Association said the CNMI should not only tap new tourist markets such as Europe, it should also expand its eco-tourism – citing the Philippines’ Boracay as an example.

In a related development, the Division of Environmental Quality said the architectural and design phase of the Susupe Lake Nature Trail and Board Walk – an eco-tourism project that would allow visitors access to one of Saipan’s most beautiful landscapes – has started, following the award of a notice to proceed to a winning bidder.

Speaking Tuesday at the Environmental Symposium held at the Saipan Diamond Hotel, Carmen C. Gaskins, special project committee chair of PATA’s Micronesia chapter, said tourism developments should not compromise the environment.

“I think most of the tourists that are traveling around are also very conscientious of the environment. So it [eco-tourism] will be nice,” Gaskins said.

“I went to Boracay, and even in Boracay, it’s gorgeous,” according to Gaskins, saying that there are no high rise structures in that international beach attraction. “If there’s a high-rise [structure], it’s really not as high as the high-rise that we have over here. The island is just like Saipan.”

During her talk at the symposium, she announced that PATA adopted an Environmental Code for Sustainable Tourism, saying that “responsible tourism promotes positive cultural and environmental ethics and practices.”

PATA claims to have the membership of government tourist offices, airline companies, hotels, travel agencies and tour operators, among others, with the Pacific-Asian region.

Gaskins also imparted several environment-friendly tips especially for hotels and restaurants, that include the non-usage of Styrofoam food containers.

Meanwhile, DEQ’s environmental engineer, Brian Bearden, said that the Efrain F. Camacho Engineers and Architects have started actual work on the design phase of the Susupe Lake Nature Trail and Board Walk, after being awarded the contract amounting over $75,000.

“So they’re out there doing field surveys, outlining where the trails [are] going to go, and looking at the wildlife and the wetland plants to set up sort of a general design for this general concept,” he said.

The company is being assisted by subcontractors, that include a landscape designer, surveyors and educational people.

“The contract was for just a little over $75,000, which includes all architectural engineering design, construction drillings, permitting services and educational materials including all the signs and the design for the trail,” according to Bearden.

The money came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Wetlands Development Prevention Grant.

There is no funding yet for the actual construction work, but Bearden said the DEQ will work things out by tapping into more federal grants, such as that of the EPA.

The Susupe Lake Nature Trail and Board Walk project would provide tourists and residents alike easy access to the lake, the wetland and the rich wildlife, that is presently inaccessible to the general public.