embark upon a “strategic plan for sustainable tourism” that will set carrying capacity limits in keeping with the LA21 criteria of an environmental, landscape, and social nature, and introduce specifications for setting up tourist companies.
The LA21 is also recognised by the State, the EU and all the other bodies as being Marie-Galante’s development strategy. Any intervention by or funding from these bodies is therefore in keeping with the strategy.
Preparation and implementation of the LA21
The sustainable development strategy for Marie-Galante was prepared by a group of experts at the request of the Community of Municipalities. These experts met and consulted local players, and prepared a reference document which was subsequently completed and approved by a Steering Committee comprising the Community of Municipalities’ Board of Administration, represen- tatives of the local social and economic bodies, and representatives of the services of the State and of the Department of Guadeloupe.
The LA21 was officially adopted by the Community of Municipalities; it was also accepted by all the public partners who finance the action programme.
• to encourage the gradual replacement of the pool of hire cars with electric vehicles (with elec- tricity produced by wind power).
• to introduce specifications to ensure minimum levels of consumption of local services and products by tourist companies (so that those who make use of the landscape, nature, sites and their image also help finance local development);
• to promote the gastronomy of Marie-Galante.
Eco-tourism:
• to create rambler paths, island discovery tourist circuits, vantage points and interpretation systems at outstanding sites
• to train locals as heritage and nature tourist guides
• to rehabilitate the historic heritage to create museums and eco-museums
• to develop tourism tied in with fishing by the fishermen themselves, alongside their usual work
• to prepare naturalistic tourist guides for the general public
• to prepare a publication on “Ecology and Folk Wisdom” on local ways and customs related to nature, and to train tourist guides in this knowledge
Assisting companies involved in implementing the LA21:
• to set up a risk capital company in conjunction with banks and businesses, in order to encour- age the setting up of companies (carried out by the Guadeloupe Region)
• to facilitate access to credit for companies respecting the principles of sustainable development
• to finance technical or marketing advice (consultants) for small companies being set up
Involving local players and citizens and raising public awareness:
• to consult citizens about the LA21 by setting up a Standing Forum on sustainable development
• to set up a training centre specialised in sustainable development (renewable energy, habitat, agriculture and tourism)
• to regularly organise clean-up operations for the beaches, lagoons and coastal areas by pro- fessionals and local volunteers
• to organise two annual Festival of the Sea days, calling on residents, associations, tourist com- panies, tourists and yachting and diving clubs
• to facilitate access to credit for companies respecting the principles of sustainable development
• to finance technical or marketing advice (consultants) for small companies being set up
Involving local players and citizens and raising public awareness:
• to consult citizens about the LA21 by setting up a Standing Forum on sustainable development
• to set up a training centre specialised in sustainable development (renewable energy, habitat, agriculture and tourism)
• to regularly organise clean-up operations for the beaches, lagoons and coastal areas by pro- fessionals and local volunteers
• to organise two annual Festival of the Sea days, calling on residents, associations, tourist com- panies, tourists and yachting and diving clubs