Joan Piccalo  -  My Work  -  Sustainable  -  Belonger Business Opportunity

BELONGER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY | Turks & Caicos Islands

This research-intense project outlined a strategy to promote the protection of the National Parks through their business potential in ecotourism.  Because of increasing rates of development in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) contracted EDSA in 2004 to recommend entrepreneurship opportunities inside the National Park system  for the indigenous population, or “Belongers.”  After thorough research into the history, social culture, flora and fauna of the Protected Areas, including on-site visits, face-to-face interviews, presentations, and community charettes with various stakeholders, our team of 7 specialists identified potential Belonger businesses and appropriate sites, across 7 islands, outlined in a 120-page booklet, sampled here.  EDSA was the prime.