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  Tourism Development of Isla Isabel National Park in Mexico

Mr. Stéphane MARTEAU - Architect, candidate of the 1st Sustainable development in tourism Prize, Grenoble, France

Ladies and gentlemen

First of all I would like to thank the jury for awarding me this prize. I would also like to say a big thank you to the organizers of these Summits, as well as to all the people who helped me in the elaboration of this project. The "label S'T', sustainable development in tourism" is an important recognition for the Isla Isabel Development Project, which now has every chance of coming to fruition.

You can see before you on the screen some photographs of Isla Isabel National Park as it is today, as well as a photomontage of the project. I am not going to present the work in detail as you can refer to the photographs and documents which are in the hall ; if you so desire.  Instead, I would like to give you more specific information on why I chose this project, how it was put together, and the stages of work that I adopted.

I decided to initiate the Isla Isabel Development Project following a diving visit to the site in 1988. Alicia Ibarra, who was responsible for the environmental education programme with the fishermen, introduced me to the National Park and its environmental, economic and cultural riches ; as well as informing me of the problems of pollution linked with the presence of Man.  I was in Mexico for a year for my architectural studies.  From my very first visit to the island I asked myself how I could help protect the bird sanctuary, maintain the economic activities on the island, and preserve the island's culture.

I realized that the island's population of fishermen, scientists, administrators and tourists were sharing the same restricted territory (activity zone) but did not share the same ideas or methods on how to use this space. This is something which can lead to disagreement between the parties concerned, as well as problems of cohabitation, pollution and hygiene. A closer analysis of the problems found on the site revealed that the causes were: the absence of a proper welcoming infrastructure, the lack of management, means and regulations, as well as unclear ownership status and rights of use of the activity zones on the island.

It appears to me that as well as an environmental educational programme and set regulations, environmental planning is a useful tool in allowing the control and/or limiting Man's impact on the ecosystems. Land organization modifies the relationship between Man and his environment allowing the management of conflicts on rights and practices. It is this principle that I wished to corroborate through this project.

But I also wished to create a methodological work model which could be used in the elaboration of projects with similar problems.  In the case of sustainable development, environmental planning integrates itself into more global reflection. Taking into account the physical, social, cultural and economic characteristics of a location will ensure the integration of the project and, at the same time, guarantee its success. The project had, from its very beginning, the fishermen, scientists and administrators on the island firmly in mind. Maintaining a permanent dialogue with all the parties involved allows the project to be adapted by these temporary  populations, as well as putting a project into place which corresponds to their expectations.

Throughout the duration of the work, I surrounded myself with numerous advisors to have a constant critical eye.  It was in this train of thought that I participated in the Tourism Summits's competition.  The prize along with the "label S'T'" has brought great recognition to the work which has been carried out.  It has allowed me to promote the project elsewhere and to be here with you today to present it to you.  At this very moment, we are  searching for the finance to see the project through.  Some technical studies (energy, water, structure ….) have to be produced in order to reply to the specificities of the development work.

This competition has also given me much personal enrichment ; because this prize is a recognition of my work and the initiatives that I developed. Today, I can put my expertise and experience at the disposal of the elaboration of other ecotourism projects as well as projects which involve environmental planning and development of natural sites.

Thank you very much. And thank you again "The Tourism Summits".