Times of the Islands Winter 2023/24

like a safari tour in game parks that is thrilling as well
as educational. The revenue brought in could be applied
to additional protection measures for all of TCI’s natural
resources. At the same time, restricting the number of
whale-watching tourists would augment the uniqueness
of the attraction while leaving the whales more to themselves.
One ambitious TCI initiative already underway is to
designate East Caicos as a World Heritage Site by the
United Nations. An act of this magnitude would make
the largest and least disturbed of the country’s islands a
crown jewel of TCI environmental stewardship. Presently,
only a handful of explorers visit East Caicos, and they are
conscious of never leaving a footprint of their presence
behind.
In preparation for the establishment of a World
Heritage Site, the TCI National Trust is engaging the local
communities in neighboring islands Middle Caicos and
SABINE FRANK
Witnessing humpback whales in the winter waters of TCI is a privilege
tourists can enjoy with the help of well-trained guides.
South Caicos to learn about and take into account their
views. In particular, the traditions of local fishermen who
have fished off the banks of East Caicos for two centuries
need to be protected. As a World Heritage Site, all resort
development plans would be taken off the table to ensure
East Caicos remains pristine. Should that happen, access
to the island’s dry tropical wilderness would likely be limited
to small groups with trained and certified guides.
Such restricted access could become a distinctive
experience for eco-tourists who value protecting
unspoiled places. Brazil, among other countries, has put
in place strict regulations to protect certain offshore
islands from any development but still enable the local
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