INNKEEPERS

Barbara Walker and Shireen Aga have been friends for many years and are now combining their individual strengths to create a very special hotel on Mocking Bird Hill. Both have travelled extensively and have experienced the negative effects of tourism that have not taken environmental and social responsibilities into consideration. Coming from developing countries, they both feel a strong sense of responsibility and want to contribute actively to society. They see their hotel not solely as a pure business venture. The ethical responsibilities of integrating economic aspects in a socially responsible and ecologically oriented form are of utmost importance. Their purpose of business is not just to make money but to increase the general well being of the host community.

Barbara and Shireen believe that it is important to promote inter-cultural understanding. The positive impulses that can be provided through tourism led to the idea of integrating a hotel with a gallery and offering programmes that will promote cross-cultural exchange while working with the community to develop sustainable tourism. The minimisation of social and cultural damage is also of great importance in order to retain the unique attraction of the destination. This form of tourism is of vital importance to a country which is very dependent on it as it's major source of income and gains added urgency in a situation where resources are very limited.

Together they have demonstrated that a small property can achieve international recognition and provide a leadership role in the community. A business does not necessarily need to be large in order to have a positive impact. Under their management the hotel is one of the first four hotels worldwide to be certified by Green Globe as an environmentally and socially friendly property. It was the second property worldwide to be Green Globe Certified for the second time. The hotel has been recognised twice by the CHA (Caribbean Hotel Association) as the most environmentally friendly small hotel in the Caribbean.