Dear Source:
Island Meetings & Incentives, founded in 1988, is the Virgin Islands leading destination management company whose sole focus is helping groups plan and deliver a flawless, memorable experience while visiting the islands. Our clients are not here on cruise ships, but overnight visitors who stay at hotels.
For companies planning their top incentive event, or high level meeting, we are the destination specialists. Clients look to us to advise them on what activities, day and night, would best meet their group’s wants and desires. They look to us to help them plan every detail and book the very best suppliers that will deliver what is expected. From airport transfers, tours, a sailing adventures, an elegant dinner at a private estate, to a golf tournament, we are here to organize and manage the entire program.
Our clients are seeking more and more adventure tours. They ask us if we have a Swim with the Dolphins program, as their guests have enjoyed this activity in many other destinations. Unfortunately, we have to disappoint them as it is not available in the Virgin Islands. Our guests have participated in the Sea Lion Program and if the Dolphin Program is half as good, it will be exceptional.
We have worked with Coral World for many years. They are a not only a good Corporate Citizen, but they have always been sensitive to the effect of their activities on the environment. They engage in programs to educate the public about conservation, especially local children. We have also worked with them on Voluntourism Projects. Corporations have embraced a new culture to give back to the local community where they are visiting.
Over the last number of years we have lost many of our attractions, hotels, restaurants and retail businesses. The USVI is competing in the globally with other destinations. We will lose our foothold in the tourism marketplace if we are unable to keep pace with other destinations.
We strongly support the approval and construction of Coral world’s dolphin habitat. Respectfully submitted,
Judi Nagelberg, President
Island Meetings & Incentives Inc.
As long as IMI can make a buck off of the enslavement of these dolphins, I have no doubt they would be in favor of this ill conceived plan to exploit captured Dolhpins.
Yes, we are competing but as more and more people educate themselves regarding the plight of Dolphins in captivity and the dismal sterile lives they are forced to endure, more and more states as well as countries, worldwide,are banning “Dolphinariums” and making laws to protect cetaceans in the wild and make their territorial waters a sanctuary for them.
Cetaceans’ brain as a matter of fact contain spindle cells, the type of cell in humans responible for giving us complex speech, strong emotions and empathy. In whales and dolphins the concentration of these was even found to be 3x as high as humans. Above that, their brains are a lot bigger.
(source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10661-whales-boast-the-brain-cells-that-make-us-human.html)
There is more than just anatomic evidence.
Dolphins are also self aware; cetaceans are the only species apart from humans that can think about thinking, and possesing self-awareness.
(source: http://news.discovery.com/animals/dolphins-smarter-brain-function.html)
Other recent researches state cetaceans have cultures, their own names, accents, dialects, can teach each other, and deserve rights as non-human persons.
If Coral World owners are not aware of ALL of the scientific data that has been discovered about the wrongness of keeping of Dolphins in Captivity, then
they really should educate themselves.
Mrs. Prior should not be allowed to be on the Board of Directors for our very own St. Thomas Humane Society when every Humane Society and Animal Welfare Organization, worldwide, is OPPOSED to keeping Dolphins and other marine mammals in captivity.
Seems to be a conflict of interest, here in the HSSTT.
It is very remarkable to see such movement and event that tackles protection of water species especially dolphins. I’ve been into several studies about dolphins and I can distinguish their needs when they are tamed compared if they are free. Such causes derived a lot of visitors that could fill up hotels and inns around the area. Just like the Penang hostel in Malaysia where I came from. The place is elegant and full of beautiful spots. You can get in touch with them at http://chulia.staysyok.com.